‘Average age in Pakistan decreasing’

LAHORE

Allama Iqbal Medical College/ Jinnah Hospital Principal Prof Dr Rashid Zia has said average age of common man could be enhanced through adopting principles of hygiene, infection and trauma control. Average age in Japan, Canada and western countries is between 80 to 90 years whereas in development countries like Pakistan is only 45 to 50 years which is also decreasing.

“Latest and modern techniques have been introduced for infection control, effective hospital waste management and improving quality of cleanliness and hygiene in hospitals according to the vision of Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif for which Turkish Public Health Experts are providing guidance and technical assistance,” he said this while addressing an awareness walk and a training workshop regarding infection control in connection with the World Hand Hygiene Day organised in the college on Thursday. 

Medical Superintendent Dr Suhail Saqlain, Turkish Health Experts Dr Fateh Kradimer and Dr Memit Taskeen, doctors and a large number of nurses participated in the walk.

Prof Rashid Zia further said: “Behavioral changes in our attitude are more essential along with infrastructural development and modern diagnostic equipment. Interaction of doctors as well nurses with the patients should be as the patient is their close relative. Provision of quality treatment to the patient is the basic responsibility of the medics so that he should feel himself in the safe hands.”

He said doctors should voluntarily render their services for providing health facilities to people of their native towns and villages as it is their utmost responsibility being a ‘son of the soil’. 

Dr Rashid Zia was of the view that mothers should promote breast feeding to their babies and avoid use of feeder to prevent the children from various diseases and infection. 

Medical Superintendent Jinnah Hospital Dr Suhail Saqlain, while addressing the training workshop, said 5th May is the World Hand Hygiene Day. He said: “Our religion has highlighted the importance of hygiene and cleanliness by declaring “Safai Nisf Iman”. Dr Suhail Saqlain said Turkish experts have provided training and guidance for infection control, appropriate hospital waste management. He said that the training workshop will provide guidance and knowledge about the infection control methods and promoting hygiene in the hospitals. He said doctors and nurses from Government Nawaz Sharif Yakki Gate Hospital are also attending this workshop as master trainers. He said that according to the vision of the chief minister all the necessary steps are being taken for infection control, improvement in cleanliness and provision of healthcare services in Jinnah Hospital. He said Secretary Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education Najam Ahmad Shah is taking keen interest and monitoring the steps taken for the development work, cleanliness, infection control and improving emergency services of tertiary care hospitals.

Dr Suhail Saqlain was of the view that various concrete steps have been taken for making Jinnah Hospital as a model and patient-friendly hospital. On the occasion, souvenirs were presented to the Turkish Public Health Experts.