RAWALPINDI, September 29 — Health experts have called for greater focus on prevention, healthier lifestyles and stronger food policies as Pakistan faces a growing burden of heart disease and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
The call came at a World Heart Day awareness event organised by the Pakistan National Heart Association (PANAH), where doctors, health specialists and civil society representatives discussed measures to reduce preventable risk factors, particularly among children and young people.
Maj Gen (R) Prof Muhammad Suhail Ameen, Vice Chancellor of Rawalpindi Medical University, said prevention and timely intervention were critical to tackling the growing challenge.
Speaking as chief guest, he called for collective action across society, saying greater public awareness and preventive measures could help build a healthier population.
Commandant and Executive Director AFIC-NIHD Maj Gen Nadir Khan also attended the event and expressed concern over the growing burden of NCDs in Pakistan.
Lifestyle changes could reduce heart disease risk
PANAH President Maj Gen (R) Masud Ur Rehman Kiani said many major risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease were preventable.
He urged people to incorporate regular walking and physical activity into their routines, maintain a healthy weight, avoid smoking, manage stress and follow a balanced diet.
Reducing consumption of foods high in sugar, salt and unhealthy fats could also help lower the risk of heart disease, he said.
Experts call for warning labels on unhealthy foods
Health and nutrition expert Munawar Hussain said individual lifestyle changes needed to be supported by effective public health policies.
He called for mandatory Front-of-Pack Warning Labels (FOPWL) on products high in sugar, salt and unhealthy fats, saying clear labels could help consumers quickly identify less healthy products and make more informed food choices.
Hussain said protecting children and young people should be a national priority as unhealthy diets, physical inactivity and other risk factors contribute to the burden of heart disease, diabetes and other NCDs.
He urged authorities to move forward with an effective mandatory warning-label system.
PANAH seeks stronger public health measures
PANAH General Secretary Sana Ullah Ghumman said the association had been working through awareness campaigns, advocacy and engagement with policymakers to promote healthier lifestyles.
He said progress was being made towards introducing front-of-pack warning labels in Pakistan, pointing to their adoption in several other countries as a measure designed to help consumers make healthier choices.
Ghumman said PANAH would continue engaging with the government, health professionals, civil society and other stakeholders to advocate stronger public health policies.
Concluding the event, PANAH Senior Executive Vice President Dr Abdul Qayyum Awan called on civil society organisations and other stakeholders to support efforts aimed at preventing cardiovascular disease and other NCDs.
He also thanked the health professionals, speakers, media representatives and other participants who attended the World Heart Day event.