SZAB Medical University all set to launch health FM radio station
Islamabad: The Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University, PIMS, is all set to launch a Health FM Radio Station, an e-health initiative that is estimated to benefit 1 million people residing in Islamabad Capital Territory and its adjoining areas, the university’s vice chancellor Prof. Javed Akram told ‘The News’ here on Sunday.
“The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has approved our application, which will now be processed by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) upon completion of necessary pre-requisites,” stated Prof. Akram, who is heading the project along with a few faculty members.
Pemra is learnt to have asked the medical university to submit certain technical details which are in the process of being compiled. “We should be able to launch our Health FM Radio Station in the shortest possible span,” Prof. Akram maintained without giving a specific deadline.
The initiative is expected to play a vital role in creating awareness among the rural and urban population of ICT and its adjoining areas about the prevention and control of communicable and non-communicable diseases.
Prof. Akram maintained that the ICT administration, as well as the CDA’s directorate of health and Islamabad Police will also benefit from the Radio Station as it will be the prime source of information during disasters. “We will also be airing programmes on disaster prevention,” he said.
Responding to a query, Prof. Akram said, “The project will be totally noncommercial. In addition to creating awareness against diseases and meeting the disease prevention objectives of the federal government, it will also enable our students to better serve communities in the rural part of the city.”
“The initiative will also help achieve the polio vaccination targets of ICT’s urban and rural areas, Prof. Akram noted. The federal government is desperately trying to raise awareness about the benefits of vaccination among people who are opposed to immunization programmes like polio. It is also spending huge amounts on building awareness around maternal and child health issues.
“The entire faculty of SZAB Medical University will give listeners of FM Health Radio Station, prime advice on health matters confronting the population of ICT and its adjoining areas,” maintained Prof. Akram. He said the SZAB Medical University has an internationally recognized faculty not just in Asia but all over the world. “The Health FM Radio Station will benefit from the expertise of this university’s internationally recognized medical faculty,” he added.
Responding to another query, Prof. Akram said his secretariat is coordinating with international donors for funding of the SZAB Medical University, PIMS, Health FM Radio Station.
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