Federal Minister for Science and Technology, chaired the Concluding Ceremony of the International 3-day ANSO-PAS-MAAP Conference on “Epidemic and Pandemic preparedness”.
Federal Minister for Science and Technology, Agha Hassan Baloch, chaired the Concluding Ceremony of the International 3-day ANSO-PAS-MAAP Conference on “Epidemic and Pandemic preparedness” organized by the Pakistan Academy of Sciences (PAS).
This conference was organized in collaboration with the Alliance of International Science Organization (ANSO), and Monbukagakusho-MEXT Alumni Association of Pakistan (MAAP) held on December 07, 2022, in the Pakistan Academy of Sciences.
Agha Hassan Baloch congratulated the Pakistan Academy of Sciences for organizing the International conference on such an important topic, he emphasized that Pakistan must have an integrated health system to cope with future epidemics.
He said, that as exemplified by the ongoing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, major infectious diseases and epidemics have devastating impacts on human lives, causing destruction to long-term social and economic development.
Global health crises threaten to overwhelm already overstretched health systems, disrupt global supply chains, and cause unequal devastation of the livelihoods of people, including women and children, and the economies of the poorest and most vulnerable countries.
‘Federal Minister for Science and Technology stated that Covid-19 is a human tragedy. But it has also created a generational opportunity. An opportunity to build back a more equal and sustainable world. The response to the pandemic and to the widespread discontent that preceded it must be based on a new social contract and a new global deal that create equal opportunities for all respect the rights and freedoms of all.
This is an urgent need to have a strong and robust health system, that reaches those who are vulnerable or in vulnerable situations. There is a great need of raising awareness, the exchange of information, scientific knowledge and best practices, quality education, and advocacy programs on epidemics at the local, national, regional, and global levels as effective’s measures to prevent and respond to epidemics.
He further added, I am confident that the participants will utilize the knowledge and skills gained through this event in their research so that the objectives of the conference can be fully realized. The Minister distributed shields among the Winners of the poster competition held during the conference at the Pakistan Academy of Sciences.’
On behalf of the Pakistan Academy of Sciences, and the Organizing Committee of the ANSO- PAS- MAAP Conference on “Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness”, Prof. Dr. Tasawar Hayat, Secretary General of PAS thanked the Chief Guest of the session, Agha Hasan Baloch.
This Conference ‘Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness’ held in Islamabad on topics of immense importance for scientists, researchers, medical specialists and technologists who are engaged in developing innovative vaccines, medicines and technologies to combat COVID-19 and alike pandemics and epidemics across the globe for the health and safety of the mankind.
In total, 31 lectures were delivered at the ANSO-PAS-MAAP Conference by leading experts. Of these, seven (07) lectures were presented by international speakers and twenty-six (26) lectures were presented by Pakistani speakers.
The resource persons in the conference were leading foreign experts from different countries i.e., China, New Zealand, Italy, USA, and Pakistan. More than 500 national and international participants registered for participation in the conference.
The conference comprised of five technical sessions from December 5-7, 2022 moderated by renowned scientists including Prof. Dr. Masoom Yasinzai (Former Rector, IIU, Islamabad), Prof. Dr. M. Aslam Baig Dr. Muhammad Aslam Baig (H.I, S.I., T.I), Maj. Gen. Dr. Aamer Ikram (Executive Director, NIH, Islamabad), Dr. Osman Yusuf, Dr. Quaid Saeed, Prof. Dr. Mushtaq Ahmad and Dr. Saeed Khan for steering the progression of the Conference activities with full zeal and command within the allocated time frame.
In addition to the technical sessions, four group works were conducted to formulate recommendations. The poster competition was held, in which young scientists from across the country participated.
The conference was well attended; in addition to the speakers, the participants for deliberations on topics of vital importance for scientists, researchers, medical specialists and technologists who are engaged in developing novel vaccines, medicines and technologies to fight pandemics and similar diseases around the world for the wellbeing and safety of humanity.
