It has been a long journey since we started the struggle to form a platform which can cater to the preventive aspect of the health in low resource settings like Pakistan. Significance of the preventive aspect of the health can be determined by the targets set for the goal 3 ( to ensure healthy lives and wellbeing for all at all ages) of the Sustainable Development Goals, creating demand for the strengthening of the efforts by Public Health professionals to achieve the goal till 2020.
Pakistan is the sixth most populous country in the world and is included in the low income country list. It cannot afford further increase in disease burden. So it is required that all public health professionals should work together to spread awareness and organize advocacy activities for health policy development and reforms. They should promote culture of research to determine, support and disseminate evidence based health interventions and strategies.
I can foresee that the “Public Health Association KP & Merged districts” will be first dynamic Non-Governmental Association which will endorse the global mission of promoting health, prevention of disease and protection from disability and potentially preventable deaths. Our struggle is towards One Health and health for all. I wish all the Executive committee and general body members’ best of luck and pray for a happy new year.
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Prof. Dr. Saima Abid
MBBS , MPH, CHR
Founding President Public Health Association
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