RAWALPINDI — Health experts, medical professionals, and civil society leaders gathered in Rawalpindi under the banner of the Pakistan National Heart Association (PANAH) to mark World Heart Day, issuing an urgent call for preventive health policies and lifestyle adjustments to fight the country's surging crisis of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).
Addressing the ceremony as Chief Guest, Maj Gen (R) Prof. Muhammad Suhail Ameen, Vice Chancellor of Rawalpindi Medical University, asserted that early prevention, public awareness, and timely medical intervention remain the primary weapons against cardiovascular ailments.
Commandant and Executive Director of AFIC-NIHD, Maj Gen Nadir Khan, also specially attended the event, expressing grave concern over the alarming burden of NCDs across the country.
Demand for Mandatory Front-of-Pack Warning Labels (FOPWL)
A central theme of the seminar was the urgent need for structural food policy reforms to protect citizens—particularly children and youth—from ultra-processed products. Health and Nutrition Expert Mr. Munawar Hussain highlighted that individual lifestyle choices must be reinforced by national policy measures.
Consumer Awareness: Implementing clear Front-of-Pack Warning Labels (FOPWL) on packaged products high in sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats.
Evidence-Based Policy: Following global success stories where mandatory warning labels have significantly curtailed the consumption of unhealthy foods.
Youth Protection: Curbing childhood obesity and early-onset diabetes through strict nutritional regulation.
PANAH General Secretary Mr. Sana Ullah Ghumman confirmed that advocacy for FOPWL is making headway in Pakistan, emphasizing that PANAH will continue pushing government bodies to enact mandatory labeling laws without delay.
Lifestyle Adjustments Crucial for Cardiovascular Health
President of PANAH, Major General (R) Masud Ur Rehman Kiani, noted that a major portion of heart disease risk factors can be mitigated through daily habits. He urged the public to incorporate regular physical exercise, maintain a balanced body weight, eliminate tobacco use, and reduce daily stress levels.
Concluding the event, Senior Executive Vice President of PANAH, Dr. Abdul Qayyum Awan, extended thanks to the participants, media, and medical fraternity, calling on civil society organizations to unite behind evidence-based public health policies to secure a healthier future for Pakistan.
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