Punjab Special Education Minister Qudsia Lodhi has urged the rich and philanthropists to take an active part in the fight against diseases, especially cancer.
Addressing a function, 'Cancer Mela' organised by the Pakistan Cancer Rehabilitation Society and Welfare Organisation here on Sunday, she observed that holding of Melas, conferences, seminars and other functions are not only sources of fund-raising, but also create awareness among masses about various diseases.
The minister said that cancer is a fatal disease, and its treatment is very costly in developing countries like Pakistan, and called upon the philanthropists and social welfare organisations to jointly work for the prevention of cancer.
Qudsia Lodhi also said that it was also duty of media to create awareness among the people about precautionary measures against diseases. She, however, regretted that there are 182,600 special children in Punjab, but only 43,000 are getting education.
Commending the efforts of the private sector Qudsia Lodhi said it was playing an important role as 53 special education and rehabilitation institutions are working in the private sector.
The minister also told the participants of the function that the government is setting up such institutions at the tehsil level and funds for this purpose are being provided to the existing ones for improving their functioning.