The US Consul General gave mementos to all of the clinical panellists, visitors, and the event coordinator in appreciation for their contributions to society.
The National Incubation Centre (NIC) in Peshawar hosted a health awareness symposium with the theme “Psychological & physical wellbeing of working women” where clinical experts discussed urgent issues endangering the physical & mental health of women.
According to a press release, Saira Qureshi, Executive Board Member of the Pakistan-US Alumni Network (PUAN) KP Chapter, organised the event with assistance from the US Mission and sponsorship from PUAN. According to a press release, US Consul General Peshawar Panfilo Marques attended the event as a “Guest of Honor” with his staff, which also included Ms. Monica Davis (Public Affairs Officer) and others.
The event was also attended by Rakhshanda Naz, the Ombudsperson KP for Women Harassment at Workplace and a professional in social development.
“It was a one-of-a-kind health awareness symposium held in Peshawar where clinical experts dwelt upon issues seriously affecting women’s health,” remarked Saira Qureshi, a female business owner and the founder of Subrung Fashion who is also an IVLP and SABIT alumna and a former executive member of the Peshawar Women Chamber of Commerce & Industry (WCCIP).
Women’s health is being impacted by the COVID-19 infection and its strain on people’s mental health, ongoing financial stress, and climate change, such as the recent occurrences of severe heat waves in recent years. Women are neglecting their own health in order to care for their families while dealing with all of these pressures, said Saira.
In addition to including students who also require counseling to prevent the negative effects of studying on their mental and physical health, counseling sessions for women entrepreneurs, etc., she said that this activity was a pilot project that was started in Peshawar and that its scope would be expanded over time by replicating in other areas.
Practicing specialist doctors including Dr Rafiq Afridi Associate Prof Ophthalmology RMI, Dr Zaira Harum, Gynaecologist Women Medical Officer Govt Maternity Hospital Peshawar, Dr Bilal Khan, Assistant Professor & Incharge Physiotherapy Department RMI, Dr Abdul Mannan, Resident Dermatologist HMC Peshawar, Lubna Naeem, Clinical Psychologist Shaukat Khanam Memorial Cancer Hospital,. Raveena, Physical Trainer Fit Mania Gym joined the session as panelists and experts.
Many participants attended the event from various backgrounds. The US Consul General gave mementos to all of the clinical panellists, visitors, and the event coordinator in appreciation for their contributions to society.