Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) organised its ‘Pre Biennial Medical Conference 2014’ at Faletti’s Hotel Lahore in collaboration with Tetra Pak Pakistan to raise awareness of critical issues related to nutrition and food safety in the country.
Addressing the seminar, Dr. Ijaz Munir, Punjab Health Secretary, appreciated efforts of PMA and Tetra Pak to establish a platform to highlight nutrition and food safety issues in the country. A large number of doctors, representatives of NGOs, media personnel and other stakeholders participated in the seminar. Following the welcome address by Dr. Izhar, general secretary of PMA, an overview of ‘Grow Healthy Pakistan’ was presented by Dr. Tanveer. Importance of milk drinking for maternal health and food safety issues were presented by Ammara Khan and Dr. Arshad Humayun respectively.
The seminar highlighted that milk is a unique natural package of essential nutrients required for the proper functioning of the body. It contains not only calcium but also significant amount of other essential nutrients such as protein, potassium, iodine, phosphorus and vitamins A, B2, B3 (niacin) B5, B6 and B12. Tetra Pak has been providing safe, hygienic and convenient processing and packaging solutions to the consumers in Pakistan for more than 30 years, and has contributed substantially to the development of the dairy industry and the liquid food packaging industry in the country.
Malnutrition is a key public health challenge facing Pakistan and has a substantial impact in the country’s elevated child morbidity and mortality rates. Due to its correlation with infections, malnutrition in Pakistan currently threatens maternal and child survival, especially in remote and underdeveloped areas. It is believed that malnourished adult women have a much higher risk of giving birth to low birth weight infants. Infants born with a low birth weight are at a higher risk of morbidity and mortality in the neonatal period or later infancy, especially in Pakistan. These conditions result in children growing into adults who are less prepared to contribute to society and productivity, thus adding to poverty and unemployment in the country. Low birth weight women also develop into malnourished mothers who give birth to low birth weight babies and perpetuate this cycle.
The seminar served as the stepping stone for initiating dialogue and provided a platform for future engagement to address the issue of malnutrition bring together different stakeholders. PR
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