Experts lament lack of biosecurity in Pakistan

Symposium at Barrett Hodgson University discusses issues related to biosafety and biosecurity

The lack of animal biosecurity is a major reason for 75% of the emerging diseases amongst humans.

This alarming figure was shared on Thursday by experts at a symposium organised by the department of microbiology at Barrett Hodgson University (BHU). In the session, titled 'Biosafety and Biosecurity - Protecting Community and Environment', leading experts shared their views on the implications of lack of biosecurity and biosafety in the Pakistani context.



The event coincided with World Teachers' Day, which is observed to honour teachers at all levels who play a pivotal role in the development of the youth of any country. Addressing a gathering of over 200 participants from various universities and institutions, Ziauddin University Vice-Chancellor (VC) Dr Pirzada Qasim Raza Siddiqui, who was also the chief guest at the event, commended the BHU administration for holding the event. Teaching should be a profession by choice, not by circumstance, he said. Dr Raza also appreciated BHU VC Dr Arif Siddiqui for hiring an outstanding faculty at the varsity.

Introducing the theme of the symposium, Prof Aqeel highlighted the risks involved in working in an unsafe environment and ignoring microbiological safe practices. Unsafe practices sometimes result in lab-acquired infections, he said, adding that infectious diseases have resulted in millions of deaths, higher than casualties caused in wars.



Dadabhoy Institute of Higher Education Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Shahana Urooj Kazmi informed the audience about precarious procedures in many laboratories in Karachi where waste is disposed without any treatment.

She emphasised the need to provide proper training to laboratory staff and all microbiology students about biosafety and biosecurity. Every university offering biological courses must have a 'biosafety officer' to look after biosafety and biosecurity affairs, she maintained.

Prof Dr Anwar Ali Siddiqui, a leading researcher in the field, spoke about the importance of biosafety and biosecurity in research with examples. He informed the audience about the evolution of biosafety and biosecurity and stressed the need for safe practices in all fields of biological sciences.



Animal biosecurity is an unaddressed issue in Pakistan, said Sindh Poultry Vaccine Centre Executive Director Dr Nazeer H Kalhoro. He pointed out that many emerging human infectious diseases are supposed to have originated from animals. Birds and pets could be a source of an epidemic, he warned. Dr Kalhoro lamented the unavailability of controlled biosecurity measures in Pakistan.

Earlier, in his welcome address, Dr Arif paid tribute to teachers on the occasion of World Teachers' Day. The BHU VC highlighted the role of teachers in society's progress, stating that the teachers are not ordinary people. Only those who can bear its responsibilities should choose the profession of teaching, he said, thanking the chief guest and other attendants of the event.

At the conclusion of the event, Dr Arif, Dr Raza, other guest speakers and BHU faculty members performed a cake-cutting ceremony to celebrate teachers.