Photography competition

LAHORE : Award distribution ceremony for public health themed photography competition titled, ‘Our health, Our future’ was held on Saturday at the Punjab Public Health Agency (PPHA). Provincial Minister for Primary and Secondary Healthcare Khawaja Imran Nazir was the chief guest of the ceremony.

According to a handout, the competition was arranged to commemorate the World Health Day and was the first in a series of Engagement-4-Health activities planned with the youth for public health promotion in Punjab. This competition intended to capture youth’s perspective of public health and sensitise them to the need for promotion and protection of the health and well-being of the people.

The event was attended by P&D Member Health Dr Shabana Haider, public health academicians and experts. Undergraduate and postgraduate students from different public and private universities participated in the competition.

Over 1,000 entries were received and reviewed by expert photographers’ panel. The photographs were showcased and prizes were awarded to the top three winners, Sannan Tariq, Muhammad Anique Zafar and Mehreen Hassan.

Khawaja Imran said, “Youth are our biggest asset as it comprises over 65 percent of the population. It is important our youth is well-informed and aware of the challenges faced by Punjab and actively participate in protecting and promoting the health and well-being of the people of Punjab.”

Dr Shabana appreciated youth’s talent and encouraged them to participate in community mobilisation initiatives, research and behavioural change activities. “Youth have duty towards making all possible effort for the betterment of the society at large,” she added.

Punjab Public Health Agency Chief Executive Officer Dr Shabnum Sarfraz said with this activity we were one step closer towards the organisation of Punjab Medical Reserve Corps, a youth volunteer driven programme to be launched this year with support from the Global Health Next Gen. The program will engage student volunteers at graduate, undergraduate and high school level to strengthen the public health and community resilience in Punjab.