Walk the talk: Medical association walk their message across
The initiative was to raise awareness regarding prevention of hepatitis.
"Since there is no known cure for hepatitis A, preventative measures such as vaccination are vital to control the spread of the disease," PMA secretary Dr Qaiser Sajjad. PHOTO: PMA
KARACHI:
The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) organised a health awareness walk on Sunday with a 'prevention is better than cure' slogan to raise awareness on the importance of immunisation against hepatitis A and B through vaccination.
Karachi commissioner Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui, the chief guest of the event, participated in the walk and said that the government is striving to fight such diseases through immunisation and is being helped by global funds and health organisation. However, he added that such campaigns require the public to respond to them in order to ensure that preventable diseases are eradicated from the country.
"The civil society and the media should appreciate the efforts of PMA to create awareness in this regard as the media can play an effective role in providing important information regarding vaccination," he said.
PMA President Dr Sher Shah said that Pakistan is currently facing an epidemic of viral hepatitis and to prevent future outbreaks, it is essential to educate the masses about prevention. PMA Secretary Dr Qaiser Sajjad also echoed Shah's statement and added that since there is no known cure for hepatitis A, preventative measures such as vaccination are vital to control the spread of the disease.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 30th, 2014.
The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) organised a health awareness walk on Sunday with a 'prevention is better than cure' slogan to raise awareness on the importance of immunisation against hepatitis A and B through vaccination.
Karachi commissioner Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui, the chief guest of the event, participated in the walk and said that the government is striving to fight such diseases through immunisation and is being helped by global funds and health organisation. However, he added that such campaigns require the public to respond to them in order to ensure that preventable diseases are eradicated from the country.
"The civil society and the media should appreciate the efforts of PMA to create awareness in this regard as the media can play an effective role in providing important information regarding vaccination," he said.
PMA President Dr Sher Shah said that Pakistan is currently facing an epidemic of viral hepatitis and to prevent future outbreaks, it is essential to educate the masses about prevention. PMA Secretary Dr Qaiser Sajjad also echoed Shah's statement and added that since there is no known cure for hepatitis A, preventative measures such as vaccination are vital to control the spread of the disease.
He then went on to talk about hepatitis B, saying that it is most often contracted through contact with the blood of an infected person or through the use of unsafe injections. Shah explained that vaccines are the most effective way of fighting since less than 30 per cent of hepatitis B cases are treatable.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 30th, 2014.