LAHORE, April 7: The Asian countries must increase their annual health budgets keeping in view frequent outbreak of epidemics and natural calamities. This was the joint statement announced at the policy-making session of the two-day national conference held in connection with the World Health Day under the auspices of the Pakistan Medical Society in collaboration with the World Health Organisation, the Fatima Memorial System and the Punjab Health Department at Fatima Memorial Hospital here on Saturday.

Prof Mehmood Shaukat said that since the health problems of developing and developed countries were different it was essential to keep in view various economic, social and religious tendencies of a particular country while framing international health regulations.

He said the government should make proper arrangements to provide balanced food, necessary vitamins and calcium to needy pregnant women to avoid birth defects.

Dr Masood Akhtar Sheikh said Pakistan should bring its health budget ratio on a par with the developed countries. He said the launch of air ambulance service had become inevitable under the existing circumstances and investment in this sector was the need of hour.

He urged the government to improve the health infrastructure, doctors’ salaries, and their shortage besides taking concrete steps to stop brain drain.

Prof Arshad Chauhan said Pakistan was one of the countries with the highest death rate of women during pregnancy and delivery. He underlined the need for investment in this sector.

Dr Muhammad Jahangir said skin transplant was a must in view of the increasing dangers of chemical and nuclear weapons. It could become a full-fledged institute with the government’s patronage.

Prof Majeed Chaudhry underlined the need for setting up trauma centres at district and tehsil headquarters level.