ISLAMABAD -UNS : The Alliance for Good Governance Foundation organized a seminar on the significance of nutrition, where leading health experts underscored the need for a balanced diet, adequate sleep, and regular exercise for a healthy lifestyle. The speakers urged the government to improve data collection and research mechanisms for effective health policy-making and called for transparency in labeling ingredients on processed food products.
The seminar gathered medical professionals from various hospitals across Pakistan, along with international experts who participated via Zoom. Convenor of Alliance for Good Governance Foundation, Dr. Tariq Mehmood, expressed gratitude to the attendees and reaffirmed the foundation’s commitment to health sector reforms. He highlighted the critical role of nutrition in maintaining a healthy life and stressed the need to raise public awareness on the subject.
Speaking at the seminar, Consultant Physician Prof. Dr. Shakeel Mirza pointed out that non-communicable diseases are as dangerous as infectious diseases and require preventive measures. He emphasized the need to reduce carbohydrate intake, increase protein consumption, and shift from processed foods to natural alternatives. He also recommended increasing taxes on soft drinks and regulating high-fat and high-sodium food products.
Gynecologist Dr. Asmara Ali from Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Lahore, encouraged participants to incorporate more vegetables and meat into their diets, consume barley porridge at least once or twice a week, and include milk and eggs as essential food items. She also emphasized the importance of maintaining a disciplined sleep routine, noting that early morning prayers contribute to a healthier lifestyle.
Dr. Naveed Iqbal, Head of Urology at Jinnah Hospital, Lahore, warned about the excessive consumption of carbohydrates, explaining that hydration needs vary from person to person. He stressed the importance of a balanced diet, particularly for kidney and bladder patients.
Dr. Parvez, an agricultural advisor to the Abu Dhabi government, advocated for introducing children to vegetable-based diets and promoting rooftop vegetable gardening as a sustainable practice.
Gynecologist Dr. Halima Shahid highlighted the importance of personalized nutrition, emphasizing that dietary choices should align with individual needs and lifestyles. She underscored the role of mothers in shaping children’s eating habits and encouraged a hands-on approach to meal preparation.
Dr. Daniyal, General Surgeon at Benazir Bhutto Hospital, Rawalpindi, discussed the direct link between diet and mood regulation. He stressed the significance of portion control, warning that overeating is a leading cause of various health complications.
Joining via Zoom from the U.S., Health Policy Expert Dr. Zubair Abdullah emphasized the stark contrast between healthcare systems in the U.S. and Pakistan, attributing the difference to data collection and research efficiency. He stressed that without reliable data on diseases and patient demographics, effective health policies cannot be formulated. He also called for improvements in the quality of cooking oil in Pakistan.
Nutritionist Dr. Fatima proposed introducing balanced diet awareness programs at the school level. She recommended that 80% of daily food intake should consist of natural, unprocessed foods to ensure better health outcomes.
Ms Shahida Naveed, Dr. Zahida Ibrahim, Miss Hasna Khattak and Shabbir Hussain also addressed the seminar.
