Pakistan's first much-hyped Health Exposition ended here on Thursday inviting severe criticism from different circles over ill-managed arrangements by the health ministry However, Health Minister Nasir Khan claimed it was a successful event that helped people to learn about basic health issues.
Except Iranian and Afghan health ministers, no prominent figure turned up in the Health Expo-2006. Speaking at a news conference at conclusion of two-day exposition, Nasir Khan said the event was largely participated in which special technical and scientific sessions were held to educate people about health issues.
He said Pakistan's pharmaceutical industry was growing at very fast pace and pharmaceutical exports have jumped to $1.5 billion from $800 million.
Khan said the government was setting up a special pharmaceutical zone at Gwadar to improve country's exports. Speaking about surgical items, the minister said they were eyeing on $500 million export target of surgical items that now stands at nearly $280 million.
However, the situation appeared to be contradictory where merely two important sessions were held one the inaugural session that was graced by President General Pervez Musharraf and the health minister news conference to conclude the two-day show.
The surgical items manufacturing companies did not bother to participate in the mega-event while most of private stakeholders who set up their stalls at Jinnah Convention Centre went through great agony as well. Soon President Musharraf left the Convention Centre unknown people robbed most of the stalls and expensive items were stolen.
While talking to newsmen, stall-holders have appealed President Musharraf for compensation. People were amazed to find stalls of cosmetic products and carpets displayed there at Health expo. The visitors remained busy questioning each others why cosmetic products and carpets were displayed at Jinnah Convention Centre. Interacting with the media, they urged the government to focus on basic health issues instead of organising such colourful events.
They were of the view that the government should take serious steps to arrest the escalating polio cases and HIV/AIDS cases in the country. They said the government must undertake some practical measures instead of holding music galas on the eve of world polio day or AIDS day.
Comments
Comments are closed.