Experts put good nutrition under the spotlight

Karachi: The 17th Annual General Body Meeting of Pakistan Nutrition and Dietetic Society (PNDS) recently organised a panel discussion titled 'Promotion of Good Nutrition and Health by Media Professional in Pakistan.' The aim of organizing this panel discussion was to develop a plan of action in collaboration with media professionals to spread information about good nutrition and health in public.

Yasmeen Taha, Urdu Journalist, Ausaf News, Sana Hashmi, Broadcast Journalist, Ajnabi, Radio Presenter, FM 107, Naheed Apa, Cooking Expert were invited as panel experts. Nusrat Sehr Abbassi, Member Provincial Assembly (MPA), Sindh, was invited as chief guest. Dr Romaina Iqbal, Department of Community Health Sciences, Agha khan university hospital, moderated the Panel Discussion.

Speaking on occasion, Fayza Khan, President, PNDS, said that good nutrition is essential not only in the management of chronic diseases such as heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, lung diseases, and certain types of cancers. It also plays a pivotal role in preventing public health issues such as malnutrition and stunting.

 "Unfortunately, there is a lack of awareness in the general public about the role of good nutrition in disease management and prevention," Dr Fayza said.

Speaking to the participants, Secretary-General, Pakistan Medical Association (PMA), Dr Qaisar Sajjad said, "Health and education sectors have been badly neglected by the federal and provincial governments in the past."

He lamented that there was no space for health awareness programs in mainstream media, and only political talk shows aired on prime time.    

He stressed the need to introduce complete health-related channels in Pakistan to educate the general public about waterborne, vector-borne, and other lethal diseases like Coronavirus in the future. 

 Dr Qaisar Sajjad said that mainstream and local media could play a significant role in solving society's health-related problems. He suggested airing health awareness programs in channels to address issues linked with public health.     

 TV Anchor Sana Hashmi said, "Children die due to malnutrition and polluted water in Sindh and other provinces."

She said joint efforts needed to resolve public health issues.   

PNDS is a registered professional society since 2003, which aims to develop, strengthen, and advance the profession of nutrition and dietetics through capacity building and improve Pakistan's people's nutritional status.

-MN Report