KARACHI, Jan 24: Acting President Mohammadmian Soomro has emphasised the need for adopting an innovative approach to keep pace with advancements in every field.

He was speaking as the chief guest at the inaugural session of the "Health Asia 2004" held at a local hotel on Saturday.

Mr Soomro, who is also Chairman of the Senate of Pakistan, said that due attention should be paid to the preventive side in the realms of health and added that the present government had adopted the same course.

He emphasised the need for undertaking concerted efforts towards health care in society. In this respect he highlighted the significance of the process of consultation as well as interaction among the stake-holders.

He was of the view that the teaching of Biology, health sciences etc should start from the school-level up to the institutions of higher learning in an organized manner.

He referred to the research being carried out on herbal plants in the country and praised the role of Hamdard Foundation in that regard.

Mr Soomro also highlighted the importance of insurance in health care and mentioned the role of the EFU Health Insurance Limited.

He said there was need for focus on the good management of hospitals and investigative facilities in diagnosis which should also be expanded to the rural areas by setting up pathological labs etc.

Later Mr Soomro inaugurated an exhibition in which various pharmaceutical industries exhibited their products.

Speaking on the occasion, Secretary General of the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), Aqeel A Jaseem, said the health sector was very vital and needed public-private partnership.

He pointed out that the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) had set up a task force on health and the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) was providing substantial financial help in the social sector.

He was of the view that there was quite a lot of potential for investment in Pakistan in the health sector with its eminent specialists and medical expertise.

Mr Jaseem said the United States spent 13 per cent of its GDP on health care and that spending was about 10 per cent in other developed countries like France, Canada, Japan and Britain. He added that investment in this sector on the part of the OIC countries was quite low and there was a need for its enhancement. He assured the ICCI's support in this area.

He called upon the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) to also play an active and promotional role in the health sector.

Chief Executive Officer and Deputy Counsel of the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Saudi Arabia, Sultan Bahabri, Director General of Export Promotion Bureau, Rahatul Ain and Director General Board of Investment Karachi, Akhlaq Ahmed Malik also spoke on the occasion.

The Health Asia-2004 exhibition and conferences are being organised by the Ministry of Health and the Investment and Privatisation Bureau in collaboration with the Board of Investment, Commerce Net Singapore, E-commerce Gateway Singapore and the National University Hospital.

More than 13 conferences focusing on different prospects of the health sector will be conducted.-APP