News Briefs
Anti-smoking news from Pakistan

Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases Conference Karachi

Prof. Peter Davies Consultant Chest Physician from Liverpool, UK. Speaking at the 6th Bienal Conference on Tuberculosis and lung Diseases, held at a local hotel here from March 12 –15 highlighted the global scenario of tuberculosis.

In a resolution passed during the conference, medical experts, consumers and non-governmental organizations also urged the government to take effective measures to curb tobacco consumption and exposure to tobacco smoking in the country.

The participants urged the government to ratify the “Frame-work convention on tobacco control”.

World Health Organizations member countries had agreed to formally endorse the treaty by signing and ratifying it, for which the documents was open for signature at UN Headquarters from June 30th last year to June 2004. So far about 98 countries  had signed and nine countries had ratified as well. In south Asia all  countries except Pakistan and Maldives had signed with India and Sri- lanka  being a step ahead by ratifying it.

They demanded a comprehensive ban on both direct and indirect tobacco promotional sponsorship in Pakistan.

It was also suggested “Smoking Cessation Clinics” should be set up in the country to help smokers to quit smoking. Awareness campaign must be launched in the country about the health, economic, social and environmental effects of tobacco use.

“Pulse International”Karachi (Pakistan), April1-14, 2004
COURTESY:-DR.KULLO,Lahore (Pakistan) 
Fifth Diabetes in Asia Conference

Karachi (Pakistan)-April 17. Medical experts from different parts of the world, mainly from Asia, speaking at the first Diabetes in Asia Conference underscored the need for across the board availability of insulin at affordable rates in the developing world.

The session began with a deliberation made by International Diabetes Federation president  Prof. Pierre Lefebvre, on “insulin Therapy 2004-basic needs or sophistication”. He said insulin had been discovered in 1921 and since then it had been purified and improved in quality.

However, insulin was still not available or unaffordable in many developing countries, he said suggesting child sponsorship, intervention by charitable organizations and lowering its price by the industry.

Dr Knut Borch Johnson from Denmark talked on “Early Detection Programmes  for Diabetese-Modification by Ethnicity is essential.

Dr Lorna Mellor from Australia talked about “critical issues impacting on diabetes education around the world”. She stressed on the education of doctors, nurses and dietitians.

Need for a center of excellence for diabetes in every country was suggested by Dr D. L. Singh from Nepal.---APPP

Excerpts from report :-
The “Daily Dawn” April 18-2004
COURTESY:- DR G. M. KULLO, (Lahore,(Pakistan)

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