ISLAMABAD – The first-ever International Conference on Health and Environment concluded in Pakistani capital after adopting a set of recommendations to have a peaceful and healthy life.
The conference with the theme ‘Go Green Get Healthy’ was presided over by the Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Shahid Siddiqui and arranged by the Department of Environmental Designs, Health, and Nutrition Sciences.
The participants from home and abroad called for better food choice, food fortification, diet diversification, weight control, recreation and outdoor physical activity.
This, they said, could help to address the health and environment challenges in the 21st century locally and globally.
Dr Shahid Siddiqui also highlighted the University’s academic achievements in the recent years in promoting research-based culture and linking the same with the society’s socio-economic issues.
The conference recommended that educational institutions must feel their responsibility to improve the community’s living by proper handling environmental health issues.
It was emphasised that cross-disciplinary approach should be opted rather than working individually to achieve the balance in terms of economic, environmental and social dimensions of sustainable development.
It also called for developing sector-wide collaborative partnerships among the government, development sector partners, NGOs, the private sector, academia and research organizations.
Healthcare providers and facilities need to be strengthened with adequate access to lifestyle experts, including the dietitian, nutritionists, exercise specialists and stress management personnel to address lifestyle-associated CVDs and cancer risk in patients, it was agreed.
Incorporation of simple energy efficiency measures in new buildings can reduce a significant amount of energy consumption in Pakistan.
Child-friendly cities should be based on appropriate urban planning and management, centered on inclusiveness, competitive use of government resources and restraining from land manipulation.
Dr Sania Nishter, Director General, WHO was the chief guest at the opening session. She appreciated the cross-disciplinary approach rather than working in isolation.
