Art for change: 100 posters to make you think about healthcare

Artwork on display at T2F is part of drive to raise awareness on poor healthcare conditions

KARACHI: What does it mean to be poor and how is poverty measured? The issue of developed and developing countries is often a subject of debate but what is the actual definition of development?

These were some of the issues highlighted during an exhibition of the 100 best posters on the 'Right to Healthcare!' at The Second Floor (T2F) on Thursday.



The exhibition was organised by Poster for Tomorrow, in collaboration with the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan. Out of 4,980 entries from more than a hundred countries, only 100 posters were selected to be displayed at the event.

Artists from around the globe used creative means to depict an eye opening message for the people — in the race to obtain all of life's luxuries, we ignore the condition of basic healthcare in our societies. While talking to The Express Tribune, leading psychiatrist Prof S Haroon Ahmed said that those who cannot afford much go for low-cost medications or homeopathic treatment but as the disease worsens due to lack of proper treatment, they die.

"Basic healthcare is really important, people should be aware of it [instead of getting caught up in alternative medicine]," he added.  Many of the entries focused on issues related to the lack of access to clean water. A poster from Iran showcased a powerful message with its depiction of bullets and medicine, at the end of which was written 'Sanctions are [the] Silent War'.



Another poster from Belgium portrayed medicines as jewellery, which is not accessible to everyone.

Duriya Kazi, Khuda Bux Abro and Hiba Siddiqui, were part of the judges this year and Abro seemed positive about the event. "Students and young people should come over, as these posters are so meaningful," he said. "Around 50 other countries held this exhibition today [Thursday], making it the seventh session of the 100 best posters exhibition," said Abro.

The exhibition will continue until December 13.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 12^th,  2015.