Gilgit-Baltistan: PANAH delegation led by Sanaullah Ghumman, General Secretary, Pakistan National Heart Association (PANAH) visited to Gilgit-Baltistan. Munawwar Hussain, Consultant Global Health Advocacy Incubator, Food Policy Program was present on the occasion. The main purpose of the PANAH visit was to learn about the health problems of the people of Gilgit-Baltistan, to meet the policy makers for the prevention of diseases and their causes, and to provide information on PANAH efforts, suggestions, studies and opinions to control the diseases.
The PANAH delegation met to Mohi-ud-Din Ahmad WWani, Chief Secretary, Gilgit-Baltistan, Food Secretary Safdar Ali Khan, Muhammad Musa, Additional Secretary Health, Deputy Commissioner Osama Majeed Cheema. Discussed on health issues of Gilgit-Baltistan. During the meeting, it was learned that the use of unhealthy food and sugar sweetened beverages in Gilgit-Baltistan is excessive.The sale and purchase of which continues unabated among the innocent children of educational institutions, which is why the people here are suffering from deadly diseases like heart, diabetes, cancer and many others .
On the occasion, the PANAH delegation requested the Chief Secretary to play his role to curb rising incidence of heart disease, diabetes, cancer and NCDs in GB , which is one of main role of increasing deadly diseases are use of sugary drinks. In order to save the young generation in particular, the sale of unhealthy items in educational institutions should be banned, so that the burden of diseases can be reduced.
The Chief Secretary appreciated the efforts of the PANAH and said that giving a healthy life to the people of Gilgit-Baltistan and the young generation is our top priority, for which we have taken positive steps and more work will be done.
