Medical experts have urged the masses to take advantage of the fast approaching election fever in the country, and ensure that all political parties incorporate disease prevention among top most priorities in their respective manifestos. Speakers at a public health awareness seminar, organised by Pakistan Islamic Medical Association (PIMA), as part of its 22nd Biennial International Convention, said people ought to realise their strength and assert to get their due right to quality life.
"You must not forget that right to quality life is closely linked to quality health and education." Audience comprising general public were told by senior doctors on the occasion. They maintained that candidates vying to assume the responsibility as public representatives during next polls must be urged by the masses as well as bodies of professional, including doctors, to focus on primary healthcare needs of the people.
Professor Javaid Ahmed Khan, Professor Ejaz Vohra, Professor S.M Rab, Professor Iqbal Afridi, Professor Huma Qureishi, Dr Farrukh Abdali, experts from different fields of medicines said concerted efforts were required, from individual to collective levels and from families to communities and at state level to focus on health and education as among the top most national priorities. "Economic cost of chronic non communicable diseases as diabetes, heart ailments, depression etc. if controlled could be used for improved primary healthcare services," said Professor Vohra, a senior physician.