LAHORE: The College of Veterinary & Animal Sciences (CVAS) Jhang, a Sub Campus of the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, in collaboration with Higher Education Commission (HEC), Punjab Higher Education Commission (PHEC) and Punjab Agriculture Research Board (PARB) organised a 3-day International One Health Conference at UVAS City Campus Lahore.
Minister for Primary & Secondary Healthcare Khawaja Imran Nazeer presided over the inaugural session of the conference while Vice-Chancellor Meritorious Prof Dr Talat Naseer Pasha, Principle CVAS Jhang Prof Dr Abdul Shakoor, Conference Organiser Prof Dr Muhammad Fiaz Qamar and many renowned academicians, researchers, extension workers, public and private practitioners, veterinary and human pharmaceuticals and students related to veterinary & animal sciences, zoology, wildlife, fisheries, poultry, livestock and medical sciences related to public health while experts from different countries, including America, Germany, Egypt, Bangladesh, Turkey, Bahrain, UAE, India, Sudan and all over Pakistan attended.
Speaking on the occasion, Khawaja Imran Nazeer said that a multi-sector approach is needed to ensure human health. He said the Punjab government is working actively to control deadly diseases like hepatitis and Congo virus. “Now the government’s focus is on prevention of diseases,” he said, adding that Punjab government is inaugurating a state-of-the-art kidney and liver transplant center in Lahore in December 2017. He lauded the role of UVAS in the development of livestock sector through its quality of education and research in the country.
Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Talat Naseer Pasha said that One Health recognizes that the health of people is connected to the health of animals and the environment. The goal of One Health is to encourage the collaborative efforts of multiple disciplines-working locally, nationally, and globally-to achieve the best health for people, animals, and our environment. He said that One Health approach is important because six out of every 10 infectious diseases in humans are spread from animals.
He said that UVAS is swiftly achieving the milestones of need-based research, multi-level education and talent development institution by using its knowledge, resources and skills for growth of human resources and solving problems of allied sectors. He said that in recent QS World Top University Ranking, UVAS has been ranked among top 2.5% Asian Universities. “UVAS has also been ranked among top 10 universities of Pakistan by HEC. And recently in HEC Sports ranking, it got 7th position out of all private and public degree awarding institutions and universities in Pakistan.” He said that traceable quality meat, disease diagnostics facilities, vaccine production, 24/7 clinical & extension services, consultancy and advisory services and policy framework are the noteworthy services being provided by the UVAS.
Prof Dr Fiaz Qamar highlighted the objectives of the conference. He said the One Health conference is dedicated to improve the lives of all species, humans and animals through integration of human medicine, veterinary medicine and environmental science. The conference comprises 12 technical sessions, plenary lectures, 150 oral and 100 poster presentations and a mini exhibition. More than 15 companies set up their stalls on the occasion. Kh Imran Nazeer along with the VC also visited stalls and poster presentations he added.
