Islamabad (Khyber Mail): On Thursday, January 9th, PANAH held its 5th think tank meeting at a local hotel to address the reduction of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Pakistan. NCDs are the leading cause of death globally and account for approximately 60% of all deaths in Pakistan, significantly diminishing productivity and escalating healthcare costs. Key contributors to NCDs include high sugar consumption, ultra-processed foods, tobacco use, and physical inactivity.
The meeting was attended by top health experts and professionals, including Maj Gen (R) Masud Ur Rehman Kiani, Dr. Saba (Executive Director Heart Files), Dr. Afsha Tahseen Bajwa (Ex-Chairman Pakistan Commission for Child Rights), Dr. Col. Shakeel Mirza, Dr. Qayyam Awan, President Press Club Islamabad Mr. Anwar Raza, and General Secretary PANAH Sanaullah Ghumman.
Maj Gen (R) Masud Ur Rehman Kiani expressed grave concern over the alarming rise in heart diseases and related conditions, emphasizing the importance of addressing modifiable risk factors for NCDs. He highlighted PANAH’s expanding role in educating the public about effective prevention strategies and sought guidance from the think tank to work more effectively in reducing these risk factors. Sanaullah Ghumman presented the progress report from the last think tank meeting and highlighted key achievements.
Participants advocated for the immediate adoption of Front-of-Pack Labels (FOPL) and the taxation of sugary drinks to help consumers understand the nutritional content of the foods they consume. They agreed that the prevalence of unhealthy foods, particularly ultra-processed items high in salt, sugar, and fat, is a primary driver of the increase in NCDs. The think tank established various sub-committees, assigning specific roles and responsibilities to each.
This strategic initiative by PANAH aims to combat the growing NCD crisis in Pakistan through comprehensive education, policy advocacy, and the implementation of proven preventive measures.