Islamabad September 28 (COMSTECH): COMSTECH organized a seminar on current trends in virology and epidemiology in the context of women’s health at COMSTECH on Tuesday.
Coordinator General COMSTECH, Prof. Dr. M. Iqbal Choudhary welcomed the participants. He said that this multidisciplinary international event is focused on Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infection and associated cancers in women. He informed that this program is designed to not only deliver an inventory of recent scientific research, but also to provide awareness and sensitization in health care workers, opinion makers, and general public. Prof. Choudhary said that the objective is to help all stakeholders to be better prepared to fight against the diseases related to HPV.
Prof. Choudhary mentioned that according to a recent article in prestigious science general Lancet Oncology, Pakistan is becoming the hotspot of HPV which is still overlooked as a major risk factor for cervical cancer in over 86 million women 15 years and older. Actual prevalence of HPV infections and related morbidity and mortality remain to be investigated in systematic manner. He said only a few epidemiological and molecular studies have been conducted on this topic. He said that among the general public, HPV is perhaps is the most underrated viral disease in OIC region. This event is meant to highlight knowledge and public awareness deficits about HPV.
Country Director, Jhpiego, Johns Hopkins University Affiliate, Dr. Fozia Assad said that HPV causes cervical cancer and other cancers which is one of the top four causes of cancer deaths in women. She mentioned that over 600,000 cases of cervical cancer worldwide each year, caused by HPV. Dr. Fozia said we have effective HPV vaccine for over three decades which stops the spread of HPV infection and 90% drop in cervical cancer. She said that girls can be saved by vaccinating them before the age of 17. She said the elimination of this scourge of women’s health is truly possible.
Director, Institute for Medical Virology and Epidemiology of Viral Diseases, University of Tubingen, Germany, Prof. Dr. Thomas Iftner said in his inaugural remarks that we need to tackle cancers at very early stages. Dr. Iftner said there are different forms of cancers and we have chance to prevent cancer by using vaccines available to save lives.
Professor of Medicine, Aga Khan Univeisty of Health Sciences, Dr. Waseem Jafry, said that if these health issues are not handled today will have catastrophic impact in future. He said viral diseases are global problems. Dr. Jafry suggested that the ministry of health should be sensitize to tackle the emerging health issues.
Six lectures were delivered on different aspects of the topic by national and international experts along with the panel discussions. More than 150 participants jointed this seminar in-person and online.
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