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Focus on World No Tobacco Day

Sat, 26 May 2012 06:28:16 GMT

More than 44 000 South Africans die each year from tobacco-related diseases – an average of about 120 a day. May 31 marks World No Tobacco Day, and the Cancer Association of South Africa (Cansa) has put the spotlight on the tobacco industry’s harmful tactics by hosting awareness campaigns across the country.

In the fight for a smoke-free environment, South Africans are encouraged to by a sticker for R5 from any Cansa care centre and wear it on No Tobacco Day. Cansa is also aiming to help smokers with its eKick Butt programme, a unique – and free – online programme that aims to kick the addiction through a series of e-mails, surveys and downloads which guide smokers through the process of quitting.

“We aim to educate policy makers and the general public about the tobacco industry’s harmful and dark marketing tactics of promoting tobacco products in clandestine ways, enticing women and young people to become smokers,” said Cansa chief executive Sue Janse van Rensburg.

According to the Tobacco Control Act, tobacco advertising, including viral marketing, is restricted. In April, the act was amended by Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi, banning smoking at sporting matches, concerts, children’s playgrounds, flea markets, beaches and outdoor seating at restaurants and bars. Dr Yusuf Salojee, executive director of the SA National Council Against Smoking, welcomed the measures.

“People must never forget that breathing other people’s tobacco smoke can cause asthma attacks and it can provoke a heart attack, and we know that second-hand smoke causes lung cancer,” he said. Janse van Rensburg said a big concern was hookah (hubbly-bubbly) smoking. “While people may think this is safer than cigarettes, it is in fact deadly. “Smoking one hookah pipe can give you as much nicotine as smoking 10 cigarettes,” she said. - Daily News

World Oceans Day Media Advisory: OceanElders, WildAid and theBlu to Host Global Online Celebration

Mon, 21 May 2012 19:36:00 GMT

What: OceanElders, WildAid, and theBlu.com are holding a global online celebration at theblu.com, in honor of World Oceans Day, June 8, 2012. Entitled, "If You Love The Ocean, Download It!" Interested parties are encouraged to start registering immediately to ensure best interaction with the celebrities and leading ocean advocates expected to participate.

Who: OceanElders members are: Sir Richard Branson, Jackson Browne, Dr. Rita Colwell, Jean-Michel Cousteau, Dr. Sylvia A. Earle, Graeme Kelleher, Sven Lindblad, Her Majesty Queen Noor, Nainoa Thompson, Ted Turner, Captain Don Walsh, Neil Young and founder Gigi Brisson.

The event will unite individuals, communities, and organizations all over the world in a globally shared moment celebrating the beauty and significance of the world's ocean. On June 8, the "Big Blu" whale, created by Academy Award winner Andy Jones (for Avatar), will be seen for the first time, and Ambassador Species sponsored by WildAid and OceanElders will be available for purchase. We suggest participants download now and log in early on June 8th.

World Museum Day: Making the past relevant

Fri, 18 May 2012 09:07:16 GMT

ISLAMABAD: Making the past relevant in the technologically advanced age of today and tomorrow is the theme of this year’s World Museum Day. Pakistan Monument Museum narrates the nation’s history from the great civilizations of Gandhara, Indus and Mehergarh. “The biggest challenge is to present the past in a way that is dynamic and real to individuals who may not be privy to the exhibits’ history,” said Lok Virsa Executive Director Khalid Javaid, who was affiliated with the project.

We paid special importance to documenting exhibits from early societies, he stated. “History has a lasting impact on the present. Relics from Mehergarh are still part of Baloch culture just like the oxcart from the Indus civilization is still seen on our roads.”“My generation has been able to see some of these historical events in real life and it is our duty to share these experiences, this is the only way a country’s heritage and culture can survive,” Javaid said. This was the reason three-dimensional displays were chosen to engage the imagination of the youth, he added.

The first displays revolve around the Indus valley civilization, Buddha and Gandhara art, showing the illustrious history of the subcontinent before the Arabs came. In an increasingly globalised world, the museum displays exhibits from yesteryears when national boundaries were fluid leading to shared culture and history. This focus on the earliest societies is a novel approach to national identity, denoting that our collective culture precedes 1947. However, displays titled ‘Quaid’s Relics’, ‘Iqbal’s Relics’ and the simulation of the first parliament session capture events related to the creation of Pakistan.

Thanks to generous foreign funding, Lok Virsa will launch a series of cultural festivals as well as building museums in various cities. To encourage visitors, tickets on World Museum Day will be sold at half price.
Meanwhile, hundreds pass by the 75-foot long skeleton of a blue whale standing tall at the entrance to Museum of Natural History, but very few stop to give it a look. Even fewer visit the museum.
Established in 1976, the museum is more than just a storehouse for 600,000 species of plants and animals collected from across the country.

Balochistan province once had thick green forests. If man-induced climatic changes are not checked, fertile land may also turn barren tomorrow. “This is one lesson that we learn by seeing Baluchitherium in the museum,” said the museum’s director general, Dr Azhar Hassan. Describing the extinct genus of gigantic hornless rhinoceros-like mammals, Hassan said the Baluchitherium, first discovered in Balochistan, existed for approximately 14.17 million years. Displayed against a backdrop of its natural habitat, it is the largest land mammal ever discovered, larger than the largest species of mammoths.

Dr Hassan said the mammal was herbivorous, providing evidence for thick forests in Balochistan. This mammal is being recreated in fibre glass and will soon be part of the collection. He said the museum was providing hundreds of researchers with a platform to study the history of life. There are artifacts showing cave life and the evolution of man, which are unique to the museum.

Mother’s Day : Show your mom you care!

Sun, 13 May 2012 16:35:37 GMT

She gave up her dreams to let you live yours and she egged you on whenever you felt low. So this Mother’s Day Sunday, show some love to your mom and pamper her with gifts, rejuvenation treatments or simply say ‘thank you’ with flowers.

Indians lag behind in terms of expressing love and affection to their mothers, according to an Asia Mom Survey by consumer goods firm Procter & Gamble (P&G).

The survey, conducted across 12 countries in the Asia-Pacific region, indicates that 55 percent of respondents in India expressed appreciation to their mother infrequently and 23 percent of respondents could not even remember the last time they thanked their moms. Around 57 percent of respondents said they never celebrated Mother’s Day with their mom even though 67 percent thought the day was a great opportunity to thank their moms.

As many as 45 percent of respondents felt it was best to shower love on the mom by giving her something she likes. Here is a lists of few gifts and gestures that could put a smile on your mom’s face this Mother’s Day:

Say it with flowers, cards: Keep it classic and simple with a bunch of fresh flowers to brighten her day, and a few words of appreciation through a card to let her know she is special. Ferns N Petals has a wide range of bouquets to offer, and these can be conveniently ordered online.

Make her tech-savvy: Put your mother in touch with the latest in technology and gift her a laptop, a new smartphone or iPhone, an iPod or perhaps even a new LCD screen on which she can watch and enjoy her favourite shows.

Jazz her up with jewels: A ring, neckpiece, bangle or a pair of dangling earrings—loosen up your pocket to buy your mother some pure gold or diamond jewellery. She will be more than happy to flaunt it. For those with a limited budget, try charming her with art jewellery from stores like Karigari, offering a special 15 percent discount for the occasion.

Warm up her wardrobe: Clothes are never enough for a woman’s wardrobe, but give your mother’s closet a contemporary twist. Buy her a designer sari, a salwar-kameez or if she is comfortable with Western wear, check out what’s in vogue in international stores like Mango and Zara. If she usually chooses sobre colours, gift her something colourful to add brightness to her looks.

Pamper her with a spa session: Bringing up a child is not a child’s play. So what better way than to ask your mom to relax for once? Gift her a spa session, which will rejuvenate and energise her. Several spas and parlours are doling out special packages for Mother’s Day, with VLCC even offering a slimming programme for moms who want to get into shape.

A date with mom: A perfect Sunday brunch at a nice eatery or a chilled out dinner date to a pub that your mother may never have gone to will give you a chance to pull your mother out of the kitchen. And she won’t be complaining at all!

Surprise with a personal touch: Mothers will always be most emotional about something handcrafted by you. It may be a card, a customised apparel or bag or meal, there’s nothing that will touch her heart more than your personal touch.

World Red Cross Day celebrated

Wed, 09 May 2012 10:10:52 GMT

KOCHI: "Red Cross gives the younger generation an opportunity to prove to society that they are socially committed and thus will help change the popular belief of youths being indifferent to such matters," Hibi Eden MLA said on Tuesday while speaking at the World Red Cross Day celebrations organized by the Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS) Ernakulam chapter at General Hospital.

The event, presided over by district collector and president of IRCS, P I Sheik Pareeth, was inaugurated by P Mohandas, district judge.

In his presidential address, he said that the IRCS's objectives were strengthening disaster mitigation activities at the water front, concentrating on prevention as well as cure for major diseases as well as developing a good cultural behaviour among the people, emphasizing on qualities such as unity and harmony.

The meeting was followed by presentation of awards, including the Red Cross Jeevan Raksha Award, Junior Red Cross Jeevan Raksha Award, award for best Red Cross volunteers and awards for commendable service in Red Cross Society.

World Thalassaemia Day: Dealing with defective genes and myths

Tue, 08 May 2012 10:11:46 GMT

ISLAMABAD: The birth of her second child changed Shaista Bibi’s* life for the worse. Her husband divorced her upon finding out that their baby was a thalassaemia major like their elder son. However, she is not the only one to blame for the disease.

“My husband is also a thalassaemia minor and he’s equally responsible for this,” she said while talking to The Express Tribune here on the eve of the World Thalassaemia Day. “It was shocking for me as my husband did not support me and never told his mother that he was a carrier too,” she added. The day is observed worldwide on May 8 to raise awareness on the disease, methods of prevention and treatment. In Pakistan, it is estimated that five out of 100 people are thalassaemia patients and around eight million carriers of the disease.

Raheela* feels helpless for her elder daughter Anee*, 28, who was diagnosed with thalassaemia minor three years back. This has become a hurdle in her way to getting married. “I’ve always tried to hide her genetic disorder from potential suitors,” said Raheela. On the other hand, Anee* does not see her disease as a social stigma, “I am an educated girl and don’t want my future children to suffer.

I cannot help speaking the truth, no matter what circumstances I have to face,” she said. While talking to The Express Tribune, Thalassaemia Awareness and Prevention Programme in Pakistan President Ayesha Abid said that it is very unfortunate that many women suffer due to lack of awareness about this genetic disorder.
Pakistan Institute Medical Sciences (Pims) Children Hospital Assistant Professor Dr Naila Yaqub Pims said, it is important for the couple to be tested for thalassaemia before getting married.

“There is a prenatal test called chorionic villus sampling which helps to test the baby for thalassaemia major. This helps the family decide whether to have the baby if diagnosed or to abort it. There is need to create awareness about it,” she stressed. Currently 800 thalassaemia patients are registered at Pims Thalaassaemia Centre. Last year, 13 children were diagnosed of which 10 were aborted and one died, she said.

Today is World Press Freedom Day

Thu, 03 May 2012 15:39:50 GMT

Ghanaian Journalists are joining their colleagues and media rights campaigners around the world to mark World Press Freedom Day today. This year's celebration is dubbed, “New Voices: Media Freedom Helping to transform societies.”

The celebration in Ghana will include meetings among main media actors on conflict-sensitive reporting, due to the upcoming presidential elections in December. As part of activities to mark the Day, all heads of UN Agencies will visit the major media houses in Accra to interact with owners, editors and reporters on the importance of ensuring conflict-sensitive reporting as a contribution to peaceful elections.

3rd May was declared by the United Nations General Assembly to raise awareness on the importance of freedom of the press and uphold the right to freedom of expression enshrined under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Labour Day to be observed today

Tue, 01 May 2012 09:08:12 GMT

LAHORE – Like other parts of the globe, International Labour Day will be observed across the country including the City on Tuesday (today) to renew pledge for protecting rights of workers. Like the previous years, government departments, trade unions and civil society organizations will arrange workshops, seminars, conferences and discussions, besides holding rallies and walks to commemorate the historic struggle of Chicago labourers and express solidarity and make commitments for rights of workers.

Federal government has fixed the minimum wages of workers at Rs 7,000 per month but unfortunately they are forced to work at far less salary. The private sector is exploiting workers and paying far less wages in stark violation of the government directions.

In Lahore, Bonded Labour Liberation Front (BLLF) will arrange a seminar on “implementation on bonded labour laws’ at Mehfil Auditorium, Abbot Road. Speaker Punjab Assembly Rana Muhammad Iqbal and Minister for Labour Haji Ehsanuddin Qureshi will be the chief gusts. After the conclusion of seminar, the participants will hold a rally from Mehfil Auditorium to Lahore Press Club. Women Workers Help Line (WWHL) will organize a rally from Lahore Press Club to the Punjab Assembly to mark the day and to press for the demands of minimum wages of Rs 20000 per month to women workers.

PPP Labour Bureau will arrange a rally from Lahore Railways Station to Lahore Press Club. PPP Labour Bureau Lahore President Malik Ehtasham-ul-Hassan, General Secretary Punjab Khalid Bokhari and Information Secretary Saleem Mughal will lead the rally. All Pakistan Local Government Workers Federation will organize a convention at its office that will be followed by a rally to Sanda Road Crossing.

World Wish Day: 13 year old's wish comes true, becomes cop for a day

Sun, 29 Apr 2012 11:20:17 GMT

KARACHI: To mark “World Wish Day” throughout the world, Make-A-Wish Foundation Pakistan joined hands with Sindh Police to grant the wish of 13 year old Azim Ahmed, who suffers from a life-threatening illness. For a day, Ahmed played out his wish of being a police officer, serving as an officer of the law. In a graceful ceremony at Police Head Office in Karachi, Additional IG Sindh Police Akhtar Gorchani inducted Azim Ahmed in to the Police force, decorated him with badges and on his Police uniform, as would any regular officer.

After becoming the youngest Police Officer, Azim along with additional IG Police, inspected the Police Guard Unit and was given a tour of the Control Room at situated at Police Head Office and briefed over Police monitoring activities.

Then, as any ranking officer would normally do, Ahmed climbed aboard a police vehicle and took to the streets for patrolling the city. As luck would have it, they received a (mock)report on the unit’s wireless radio about a robbery in progress at a house in Defence. He, along with other police units rushed to the crime scene.

Once at the site, Ahmed waited nervously outside, as his troops surrounded the house to arrest the dacoits. Once the play-acting criminals had been disarmed, Ahmed took over, trudging them into the back of a waiting Police mobile, all ready to take him to the station.

Ahmed also inspected the Darakshan Police Station where he was awarded a certificate for his bravery by Gorchani who lauded the unique work of Make-A-Wish Pakistan and said it is an honour for the Police Department that an ailing child wished to be a policeman which shows that Pakistani children look at the police force as their Heroes. Gorchani also congratulated Ahmed for becoming the youngest police officer of Pakistan.

Hailing from Chanesar goth, which has seen its fair share of violence and criminal activity, Ahmed says he would like for his neighbourhood to be good again. The Founding President Make-A-Wish Foundation Pakistan Ishtiaq Baig appreciated the efforts of Sindh Police for granting the wish of Azim Ahmed in a unique way and presented a crest of the organisation to Additional IG Sindh.

World Malaria Day tomorrow

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 15:32:35 GMT

ISLAMABAD: The World Malaria Day is being observed tomorrow (Wednesday) to recognise global efforts to control malaria as 3.3 billion people in 106 countries are at risk of malaria. This year the theme for World Malaria Day is “Sustain Gains, Save Lives: Invest in Malaria”.

April 25 was announced as the World Malaria Day in May 2007 in the 60th session of the World Health Assembly, the decision-making body of the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The day was announced to provide “education and understanding of malaria” and information of year-long intensified implementation of national malaria-control strategies, including community-based activities for malaria prevention and treatment in endemic areas.”

Prior to the establishment of World Malaria Day, Africa Malaria Day was held on April 25. The Africa Malaria Day began in 2001 one year after the historic Abuja Declaration was signed by 44 African malaria-endemic countries at the African Summit on Malaria.

Investments in malaria control have created unprecedented momentum and remarkable returns in the past years. In Africa, malaria deaths have been cut by one-third within the last decade; outside of Africa, 35 out of the 53 countries affected by malaria have reduced cases by 50 percent in the same period.

In countries where access to malaria control interventions has improved most significantly, overall child mortality rates have fallen by approximately 20 percent. However, these gains are fragile and will be reversed unless malaria continues to be a priority for global, regional and national decision-makers and donors.

Despite the current economic climate, development aid needs to continue flowing to malaria control programmes to ensure widespread population access to life-saving and cost-effective interventions.

The huge increase in support for malaria control interventions in recent years means there is a reduction in the death rate; where once over a million people died of the disease annually, the figure is now closer to 790,000.

On World Malaria Day, everyone in the malaria community, from district health officers to net manufacturers, epidemiologists to volunteer health workers are committed to continuing the fight to reduce the burden of malaria. In 2010, about 3.3 billion people, almost half of the world’s population, were at risk of malaria. app