By By our correspondent
Ministry of Environment Acting Secretary Imtiaz Inayat Elahi on Saturday said that Pakistan has phased out the consumption of 91 per cent of ozone depleting substances which is above the 85 per cent induction targets fixed under the Montreal Protocol. We are successfully heading towards 100 per cent phase out target of these ozone depleting substances till January 1, 2010, he added.
He was inaugurating a one-day International Awareness and Information Workshop on Transition Strategy for phasing out Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC)-Metered Dose Inhalers (MDIs) in Pakistan. The workshop was held at a local hotel, and was organised by the Ozone Cell Ministry of Environment in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and other national stakeholders.
The objective of the workshop was to increase awareness among the national stakeholders regarding asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), treatment methods for such respiratory ailments and develop collaborative mechanism between medical practitioners, health regulatory authorities and other stakeholders for implementation of measures for phasing out of CFC MDIs.
Elahi said that the government is fully committed to making efforts for the preservation of the ozone layer. He said that the depletion of the layer is a global problem, which has emerged as a result of years of rapid industrialisation without safeguarding the environment.
An estimated 19.8 million people are suffering from asthma and COPD in the country. At present, two types of MDIs are available in the market to cater for the need of Asthma patients – CFC-based MDIs and non CFC-based (ozone-friendly) MDIs. The speakers urged the need to promote the ozone-friendly inhalers and raise awareness regarding affects of the CFC-based inhalers.
The environment secretary said that the government is committed to conservation and improvement of the environment, and has taken various steps in line with international obligations under international conventions, protocol and multilateral environmental agreements including the Montreal Protocol.
He said that with the financial and technical support of Multilateral Funds Secretariat (MLFS) of the Montreal Protocol, the government has already converted its industry, particularly in the foam, refrigeration, metal cleaning and fire fighting sectors from ozone depleting substances-based technology to ozone friendly technology. Pakistan has imposed a ban on import of CFC based compressors and is in full compliance with the regard to import and consumption limits of ozone depleting substances.
Imtiaz Inayat Elahi said that CFC-MDIs issue is a matter of concern for Pakistan like other developing countries of the region. The prices of imported CFC free MDIs are three time higher than the locally manufactured CFC-MDIs. He called upon the experts from UNEP, UNDP and local pharma companies to facilitate the process of conversion to CFC free technology so that asthma patients may avail affordable medication.
He also urged the stakeholders and partner organisations to contribute their efforts for phasing out ozone depleting substances for the sake of the present and future generation.
The workshop was addressed by Kristine Whorlow, Australia National Asthma Council Chief Executive Officer, Shaofeng Hu, United Nations Environment Programme (Bangkok) Programme Officer, Anil Sookdeo, United Nations Development Programme (Bangkok) Programme Specialist and other stakeholders.