MKRMS seminar: Call to promote idea of healthy diet, exercise

LAHORE: Good and balanced diet keeps a man healthy. People need to be healthy for the development of any nation. If people are healthy they can perform their duties well for the betterment of the country and can make economy better. Our young generation is the pillar of our future. It is our duty that we should spread awareness among the people regarding their health and should tell the people that eating chicken, milk and eggs are very healthy diet for them.

These views were expressed by the speakers in a seminar named “Achi Ghaza Nemat-e-Khuda Wandi-hum Bana Rahe Hain Sehat Mand Pakistan” organised by Mir Khalil-ur-Rahman Memorial Society (Jang Group of Newspapers) and Pakistan Poultry Association.

Dr Muhammad Aslam (Chairman Pakistan Poultry Association) presided the event. Haji Muhammad Bashir is patron-in-chief and Khalil A Sattar is founder and Chairman of Pakistan Poultry Association. Dr Arshad Hanif Chaudhry (Chairman PPA NZ) and Chaudhry Muhammad Ashraf (Chairman PPA SZ) appeared as guests of honour.

Professor Talat Naseer Pasha (University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Vice-Chancellor), Noorul Amin Mengal (DG Food Authority Punjab), Dr Javaid Akram (VC PIMS, Islamabad), Sohail Warraich (Senior Anchor person Geo TV), Mirza Muhammad Aslam (Director Animal Production), Mehrun Nisa (Chairman Department of Home Economics), Dr Muhammad Arshad (President Pakistan Veterinary Medical Council), Dr Hanif Nazir (Poultry Scientist), Dr Rubina Sohail (Gynaecologist, Services Hospital, Lahore), Professor Dr Khursheed Ahmad Khan (Professor of Medicine), Dr Farzeen Malik (Nutritionist), Humaira Khurram (Yoga Specialist), Dr Ghazala Pervaiz and Dr Abdul Rehman (Director PRI) appeared as guest speakers. Dr Abdul Kareem Bhatti (Conveyor Consumer Education, former Zonal Chairman) delivered presentation. Khalid Saleem Malik (Spokesman, ex-Chairman PPA) delivered vote of thanks. Wasif Nagi (Pride of Performance) hosted the event. Khaleeq Hamid recited the Holy Qur'an verses and received the blessing of reading Naat Rasool-e-Maqbool (PBUH).

Dr Arshad Hanif Chaudhry said hen industry was started in 1962 and it is prominent industry among five biggest industries. Poultry is the successful sector of agriculture department. Agricultural products of Rs200 billion are being used in poultry. If seen, chicken meat is expanding 40 to 50 percent of meat. Chicken contains a lot of protein. Chicken has the ability to provide a good supply of essential vitamins and minerals. It keeps blood sugar level and immune system balanced. Chicken is good for physical growth. There are six gram protein, five gram fats and 70 calories in an egg and use of eggs improves hairs and nails’ growth, he added.

Khalil A Sattar said there exists a lot of misunderstanding in Pakistan that there are hormones in chicken, this is wrong perception. Pakistan is currently on 10th number where the poultry production is high. Broiler chicken is a balanced diet and it is important to meet body requirements.

He presented the views of Dr Susan E Watkins (PhD) from University of Arkansas and Dr Nick Dale from University of Georgia Poultry Science through his presentation in which they were delivering very useful information about broiler chicken.

Professor Dr Khursheed Ahmad Khan said that majority of people in Pakistan are suffering from malnutrition. Therefore, we need to create awareness about the importance of protein among people. We also need to create awareness about nutrition among people. People eat food and ignore the healthy diet. We will have to aware people about the importance of minerals, vitamins and protein. A human body needs 30 percent protein whereas we consume only 1/6 of it. Poultry industry is performing efficiently. We should eat eggs and poultry meat because these are good for our health.

Professor Dr Javaid Akram said that as compared to other countries; in Pakistan, research work is lacking. If we improve our research work then we can move forward. More than half of our population is suffering from obesity. All of these diseases are getting worse because we have changed our lifestyle. We have eliminated exercise from our routine. We should avoid this behaviour. Pakistan Poultry Association is performing well. Broiler chicken is not expensive but we should focus on research work and we will have to make task force for this purpose.

Dr Rubina Sohail said it is our duty to provide healthy lifestyle and healthy environment. Diseases like hypertension and blood pressure are spreading very quickly. Therefore we need to change our behaviour and lifestyle to protect ourselves from such diseases. We should promote the idea of taking healthy diet and doing exercise. Egg is full of nutrition; we should take it to keep ourselves healthy.

Dr Hanif Nazir said there are high profile researchers and professors of public private universities are included in National Disease Control Committee. Diseases related to poultry are being controlled through this committee. Chicken contains proteins that prove helpful in our physical growth.

Wasif Nagi said the overall health graph of people in Pakistan is not so good. Majority of people are suffering from malnutrition. People have deficiency of iron, calcium and vitamin D. Therefore, every person should make proper diet chart, in which everything in proper quantity should be mentioned. It is misunderstood that broiler chicken is not good for health. We need to create awareness among people about it. Chicken and eggs are good for fulfilling our body requirements. PPA is performing well in this regard.

Professor Dr Talat Naseer Pasha said that research is being conducted regarding poultry but there needs to make changes according to international standards. We should spread awareness about balanced diet too, he added.

Dr Ghazala Pervaiz said that all members of health team should do research work and should aware people about every new thing. A human body needs calories as well as proteins. If a man is healthy physically then he can perform his duties well.

Noorul Amin Mengal said training programmes need to be created to aware people about controlling diseases and other precautionary measures. Punjab Food Authority is building training schools for training purpose. Our scientific panel consists of 53 trained members. They are striving for the betterment of people. Egg is nutritious and complete diet. We should make it compulsory in our diet.

Dr Abdul Kareem Bhatti told about the importance of chicken through his presentation. He said better environment is provided for broiler growth. They are nourished with water and feed according to need. Poultry industry is also working to control diseases.

Sohail Warraich said that broiler chicken is easily available and now better quality of chicken is being provided to people. At present, the role of chicken is very important in reducing food crisis.

Dr Farzeen Malik said that proteins, minerals and vitamins are very necessary for human body tissues. Chicken plays important role in enhancing metabolism. Vitamin B is necessary for skin. Egg is nutritious and has proteins. So we should make it part of our diet.

Humaira Khurram said egg and chicken are accessible for the poor. Such diet fulfills their body requirement. Moreover, we should change our lifestyle and do exercise on daily basis. Dr Mehru Nisa said such seminars are very informative for people. This seminar is organised on very important issue. Proteins are very important for kids' growth. So we should make it part of their diet.

Dr Muhammad Arshad said we need to organise seminars with medical practitioners. We also need to ignore false statements about broiler chicken. Dr Muhammad Aslam said work is being done on quality control. At present, chicken is being used in all over the world.

Dr Abdul Rehman said since the domestication of the chicken, people have been enjoying and nourishing themselves with eggs. Both the white and yolk of an egg are rich in nutrients - proteins, vitamins and minerals. While chicken is a lean meat with loads of proteins. Chicken provides selenium which contains antioxidants that help control free radicals and improve your immune system.

Haji Muhammad Bashir said good and balanced diet is blessing of God. This is an informative seminar that creates awareness among people. Khalid Saleem Malik delivered vote of thanks to all the participants of the seminar. He said, "I have done my duty to conduct this seminar. This is not the job of a single department. All departments have to work together in this regard". - (Sitara Jabeen Butt)