KARACHI, Oct 3: JPMC director Prof. Kazi A. Shakoor, expressing his concern about inadvertent neglect towards chemicals-induced health related problems in the country has sought massive awareness at all levels to address the situation.

He was speaking at the concluding session of a four-day National Workshop on chemical safety at the National Poison Control Centre, JPMC in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and the WHO here on Thursday.

The JPMC director maintained that while overall awareness about environment is important for the people, the latter must also be equally entitled to have an easy accessibility to all possible information about any possible adverse effect of drugs as well as nutrients they consume through their food.

This, he said, was gaining increasing importance in the backdrop of excessive application of chemicals through items of daily use or to which people may be directly exposed ie insecticides, pesticides and paints.

Referring to the helplessness of the people against the illegally operating chemical units in residential areas, the senior doctor suggested adequate awareness complimented with proper action to procure positive results.

Dr. Jamal Ara, National Programme Coordinator for WHO Programmes in Pakistan, said the four-day exercise ultimately resulted in formulation of national guidelines for chemical safety.

Mentioning that health problems caused due to chemicals are preventable, she said focus was laid on close coordination between all agencies, each putting forward its recommendation followed by intensive assessment with particular reference to risk factors and policy formulation.

Issues raised and made part of the conceived plan included provisions for personal safety, teaching and training, networking and periodic auditing.

Dr. Aftab Turrabi of the National Poison Control emphasised the need for creating an awareness, networking and necessary legislation.

The session was also addressed by Prof Zakariya Sajid, Saleem Mughal and Bilquis Seema. The JPMC Director distributed certificates among course participants including Jamil Qadri, Nishat Ahmed, Dr. Shahid Akhter of Pakistan Agricultural Research Council, Dr. S. M Irfan (JPMC), Mariam Sajid, Dr. Latif Sheikh, Reema Ishaq, Asif Hussein.—APP