World Digestive HealthDay: Experts discuss importance of hygiene

KARACHI: Experts demanded the mandatory provision for potable water for people to prevent thousands of deaths in the country. Speakers addressed a seminar organised to celebrate World Digestive Health Day at Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT) on Thursday. SIUT’s Prof Adibul Hasan Rizvi said resource constraints and poverty may exist but education and awareness can help people set their priorities. “This approach must be adopted by our policymakers and government so they can promote cost effective choices,” he said. Dr Sajita Shabbir presented a report on the relevance of World Gastroenterology Association and its objectives. Dr Abbas Ali talked about diarrhoeal ailments, while Dr Ghaus Baksh discussed dysentery as a chronic health problem in the country. The speakers agreed that water borne infections can be easily preventable through simple interventions that required political will and public education.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 3^rd, 2011.