January 26, 2006	Thursday	Zilhaj 25, 1426

KARACHI, Jan 25: The Pakistan Medical Association, Karachi, on Wednesday urged the government to totally ban sale, manufacture and advertisement of Chalia, Gutka and other such harmful products and implement the law preventing smoking at public places in letter and spirit.

Speaking at a news briefing, PMA Karachi General Secretary Dr Qaiser Sajjad demanded that the government should also impose ban on sale and advertisement of substandard and phoney drugs as well as advertisement of quacks and quackery.

He assured that the PMA would continue holding monthly seminars on different health-related topics as part of its regular awareness campaign for general public and activities towards prevention of communicable and non-communicable diseases.

Emphasizing the need for proper system of industrial, domestic and medical waste disposal, he reaffirmed the PMA’s efforts in provision of safe drinking water to citizens, as it would help in reducing several epidemics.

Dr Sajjad praised City Nazim Mustafa Kamal for taking positive steps regarding installation of billboards and hoardings in the city in proper manner according to the city government’s bylaws.

He vowed that the PMA Karachi would continue its services for earthquake victims at the Kids Blood Diseases Organization in Mansehra, the NWFP. —PPI