LAHORE
Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) has been conducting blood screening of prisoners for diagnosis of diseases with a view to treating and preventing them from further spread.
This was stated during a seminar on “Red Crescent – Service to Humanity and Our Responsibilities” organised by the Mir Khalil-ur-Rahman Memorial Society (Jang Group of Newspapers) in collaboration with Pakistan Red Crescent Society at a local hotel the other day.
Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) Chairman Dr Saeed Elahi said that PRCS was a humanitarian institution and working in 100 districts in Pakistan with approximately 100 projects. “The first aid training project is continuing in 100 districts in the country,” he added.
He informed that 5,000 PRCS workers were working in FATA, which was under army’s control. He urged the federal government to allocate a substantial funds to PRCS as it was getting a meagre 5 per cent of its total funds from the government. He said that PRCS would like to start first aid training programmes in all districts across the country.
He said that PRCS had also started a helpline services and started stress management courses in hospitals, while PRCS was also going to launch a school safety programme. He believed that the leaders, media and people would have to make concerted efforts for the progress and prosperity of the country.
Adviser to Chief Minister on Health Khawaja Salman Rafique said that all religions emphasise service to humanity. He said that Abdul Sattar Edhi was a symbol of service to humanity. He said that Munnoo Bhai was taking care of the thalassaemic children, while Dr Saeed Elahi was doing his best to promote the humanitarian services through Pakistan Red Crescent Society in the country.
“These great people have taught us a lesson that we must not give up in the face of failure, and try again and again, which will ultimately bring success,” he added.
PRCS Secretary General Ghulam Muhammad Awan said that Red Crescent Society had a history of 150 years and it was named as Pakistan Red Cross after creation of Pakistan in 1947 and later changed to Pakistan Red Crescent Society in 1974. The PRCS was established through an Act of Parliament.
He said that Pakistan Red Crescent Society was a leading institution in public service nationally and internationally. He said that at present 1.7 million volunteers were working along with 1,177 team leaders under PRCS, adding that PRCS was trying to engage at least 5 million volunteers till 2020. He said that PRCS had started blood screening of prisoners to diagnose diseases and take measures for their prevention, control and treatment .
“Help desk programme has also been started,” he said and informed that national ambulance college had been started in Islamabad, where medical experts would work on the development of vaccines.
He informed that PRCS had established almost 100 offices in each district across Pakistan, whereas there were 350 ambulances, 86 health units and six blood banks.
“PRCS collects at least 10,000 blood bags every year and it also donates wheelchairs to deserving disabled perosns,” he added. He said that PRCS had also started health and safety movement in 16 districts.
International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC), Pakistan, head of delegation Reto Stalker said that ICRC was working with PRCS for the welfare of people of Pakistan.
Child Protection Welfare Bureau (CPWB) Chairperson Saba Sadiq paid tribute to the humanitarian services of PRCS in the most difficult terrains and mountainous areas of the country.
Senior columnist and intellectual Munnoo Bhai lamented the sale of health and education like a merchandise or commodity, which had taken these basic human rights out of the reach of the common man.
Geo TV anchor and senior analyst Sohail Warraich said that PRCS became fully active during the natural calamities like floods and earthquakes as well as wars, which made it a great humanitarian service. “We need to learn from such symbols of humanitarian service around us,” he added.
Ex-Sessions Judge Mahboob Qadir, Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA) President Rana Zia Abdul Rehman, Former Vice Chancellor of King Edward Medical University (KEMU) Prof Mumtaz Hasan, Khalid bin Majeed, Kanwal Sikander and others also spoke on the occasion.
MKRMS Chairman Wasif Nagi conducted the seminar.