Speakers at a seminar on Monday called for steps to combat environmental hazards and adopt healthy lifestyle to reduce diseases and mortality rate as 3.8 million people die of diabetes each year only; whereas cancer kills 1.37 million people. They were addressing at one-day symposium titled “one health” arranged by US Pakistan Center for Advanced Studies in Agriculture and Food Security, University of Agriculture Faisalabad at New Senate Hall.

Speakers at a seminar on Monday called for steps to combat environmental hazards and adopt healthy lifestyle to reduce diseases and mortality rate as 3.8 million people die of diabetes each year only; whereas cancer kills 1.37 million people. They were addressing at one-day symposium titled “one health” arranged by US Pakistan Center for Advanced Studies in Agriculture and Food Security, University of Agriculture Faisalabad at New Senate Hall. The session was chaired by the Pakistan Council for Science and Technology Chairman Dr Anwar-ul-Hassan Gilani, whereas Philmona from Kenyan Embassy Islamabad; University of Agriculture Faisalabad Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan, Punjab Medical College Principal Alfareed Zafar and other noteables also spoke on the occasion. Dr Anwar-ul-Hassan Gilani said that changing lifestyle, junk food and unphysical activities were causing obesity that can be called the root cause of the many diseases including diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Diabetes Mellitus is the sixth leading cause of death, killing 3.8 million people each year. He showed his concern that two third of them are living in the developing countries. Talking about the challenges, he said that plenty of food/high caloric intake, dependence on impure and processed foods, sedentary life style, environmental Factors/pollutants and less distance and less time for relaxation and physical activities were posing the serious threat for the people. He stressed upon the natural health which is the best maintained by life style change including physical exercise and mental relaxation; nutritional measures/dietary habits and functional and organic foods. He said that eight million people are hospitalized each year for the ailments caused by the ingestion and side effects of prescription drugs. Taking about the herbs, he said that nothing is better than ginger in stomach disorders. He also said usage of garlic saves oneself from cardiovascular diseases and ginkgo from old age dementia. Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan said that the county was producing the surplus food for the people. But on the other hand, 40 percent of our population was malnourished . He said that lack of awareness, affordability issue , unhealthy lifestyle and other factors were provoking malnutrition in the country. He said that in the ninetieth century, the region of subcontinent was facing the famine and extreme hunger situation. On the recommendations of Famine Commission in the late of the nineteenth century, the Punjab Agricultural Education and Research Institute (now UAF) was established and now we have abundant food. He said the ambition of one health program is to attenuate the stream of patients. He said that for precious healthy life it is essential for each person of the nation keeps its environment neat and clean.Dr Alfareed Zafar said that the country had emerged as the polio free country. He stressed upon the need to present oneself for accountability. He said that dengue, zika and congo viruses diseases were breaking out due to lack of cleanness. which saves from the many diseases. He said that congo disease broke out due to the unhealthy environment. He said that the government was making all-out effort to ensure the life saving drugs for the people. He said that increasing population was the real challenge to provide the basic facilities for the people. He called for creating awareness among the masses about the hazard of over population. US Expert Dr Nancy J Allen said such session would help address the issue. She also said that animal are also the part of this world which are being ignored. Dean Faculty of Veterinary Sciences Prof Dr Zafar Iqbal said that such session was aimed at raising the awareness. He said that people must be educated about the healthy lifestyle, and food. Dr Qurban Ali, Dr Muhammad Ashghar from PMC, Dr Kashif Saleem and Dr Imran Arshad from UAF, Dr Rubina Tabassum from Pinum also spoke on the occasion.