ANTH declared smoke-free health facility
Dr Akbar Niazi Teaching Hospital (ANTH) has been declared as a Tobacco Smoke-Free Health Facility by the Ministry of National Health Services Regulation and Coordination (NHSR&C).
The development was conveyed through a press statement issued by the hospital administration here on Tuesday.
The plaque unveiling ceremony in this regard was attended by officials from Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Administration, World Health Organization Pakistan (WHO) and District Health Office Islamabad, added the statement.
NHSR&C Director Tobacco Control Dr Samra Mazhar said that the ministry was determined to make Islamabad a completely smoke-free zone for its inhabitants, adding that the cooperation of organisations like ANTH was valuable for achieving this goal.
Earlier, ANTH Managing Director Yasir Khan Niazi said that a healthy and smoke-free environment in healthcare set-ups was essential, adding that the hospital management was standing with the health ministry, ICT Administration, District Health Office and WHO for the success of this project through effective implementation.
Assistant Deputy Commissioner Islamabad and Focal Person for Tobacco Control Sheryar Arif Khan, District Health Officer Islamabad Dr Zaeem Zia and Tobacco Control Project Director Dr Minhajus Siraj said that keeping the public areas, hospitals, educational institutions and public transport free of tobacco smoke was a collective responsibility, moral obligation and legal duty.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 24th, 2021.