AASSA-PAS Joint Workshop on Complementary Medicine held at Islamabad

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The Pakistan Academy of Sciences (PAS) and Association of Academies and Societies of Sciences in Asia (AASSA) jointly organized a Workshop on “Complementary Medicine as an Answer to Challenges Faced in Achieving Sustainable Goals in Health” at the Pakistan Academy of Sciences, Islamabad Pakistan on August 19-21, 2019.

The Workshop deliberated upon the vital role of medicinal plants/complementary medicines in treating health care issues and to arrive at possible strategies. The workshop was inaugurated by Ms. Zartaj Gul Wazir, the Minister of State for the Climate Change of Govt. of Pakistan.

Prof. Zabta Khan Shinwari, President National Council for Tibb and Fellow of PAS was the coordinator of the workshop who delivered his presentation and outlined the objectives of the workshop to the participants. Medicinal plants are a key reservoir of therapeutic chemical nutrients, which can yield massive health care benefits, Prof. Shinwari stressed. On behalf of ECO Science Foundation, President ECOSF Prof. Dr. Manzoor Hussain Soomro and Engr. Khalil Raza Scientific Officer participated in the inaugural of the workshop.

Ms. Zartaj Gul Wazir in her address highlighted the importance of research and development in biotechnology and health sector, particularly the need for revival of traditional medicine with introduction of regulatory framework to provide adequate and cost effective medical solutions. She further appreciated the Pakistan Academy of Sciences and other collaborating institutions for coming together to organize this workshop on this important theme and subject. Ms. Gul underlined that the world, especially Pakistan is facing serious challenges of climate change and all stakeholders need to work together to address this challenge.

Prof. Dr. Atta-ur-Rehman FRS, Chairman of Pakistan’s Task Force on Science and Technology and the Vice Chairman of the Taskforce on Technology Driven Knowledge Economy delivered his keynote address. Prof. Atta-ur-Rehman underscored that adequate investment in Science, Technology and Innovation can be “the game changer” to help alleviate poverty, reduce inequalities, increase income and improve economic health of the country. Traditional knowledge of complementary medicine can not only save resources by providing cheaper treatment but can be a major source of foreign exchange earnings, he further added.

In the inaugural ceremony of the workshop, President of Pakistan Academy of Sciences (PAS), Dr. Qasim Jan, Academician Prof. Dato’ Dr. Khairul Anuar Bin Abdullah President-elect AASSA from Malaysia; Prof. Zuopeng LI; China; Dr. Deegendra Khadka, Nepal and Prof. Dr. Yoo Hong Kim the President of AASSA from Korea also spoke in the inaugural ceremony of the workshop.