Media role on public health issues highlighted | Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)

Pakistan Press Foundation

Media role on public health issues highlighted

Pakistan Press Foundation

A seminar on “Public health awareness for media” was held at Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences Jamshoro on Tuesday. While addressing participants representing the electronic and print media Vice Chancellor Professor Noshad A Shaikh said that media can play an effective role in increasing awareness about public health issues. It serves the role of being a source of correct information as well as an advocate for correct health behaviours.

Regarding the increasing number of polio cases in Pakistan Professor Noshad A said that polio has taken a dangerous turn in Pakistan as the number of affected patients has reached 236 this year. The Vice Chancellor said that provision of a healthy and polio-free atmosphere to the future generation is the collective responsibility of the society. He said that there is no other option than to win the war against the virus to make Pakistan a polio-free zone.

Professor Aneela A Rehman Dean Community Health Sciences LUMHS expressed that the media helps health workers expand their audience reach, which is crucial considering the fact that face-to-face channels of communication often require too many human resources and reach only a small number of people in large, underserved rural areas. The media provides an important link between the rural residents and vital health information. Professor Mansoor Ahmad Cardiologist, Professor Zaman Shaikh expert in diabetes, Dr Naheed Jamali Director Malaria Control Sindh, and Ashfaque Shah Additional Secretary Population Welfare Department Government of Sindh shared their views regarding the role of media for prevention of various diseases.

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