Members of civil society, heads of different government organizations, and representatives of the World Health Organization and noted people of the locality shed light on the role of communities in developing civil society at a seminar organized in village Hussainabad of district Sujawal by Village development organization the other day. They said that low-lying areas of Sindh could be put on the path of persistent development only through communal harmony and joint strategies.
The seminar commenced with a free medical camp at the community hall of the village where as many as 1500 patients were examined by a 15-member team of specialist doctors and paramedics that was followed by a health awareness session and tree plantation drive.
During the health awareness session initiated by the district health department Sujawal and Aga Khan Health Board for Thatta and Shahbunder participants were apprised of the tips for maintaining a healthy lifestyle to avoid the onslaught of non-communicable diseases such as Hypertension, diabetes, and angina.
Doctors also stressed reducing substance abuse that has been increasing the threat of cancer and other fatal diseases.
District Health Officer Dr Haneef Memon despite ill health visited the camps and discussed projects of his department with the common masses.
The tree plantation drive was launched by District Commissioner Sujawal Abdul Wahid Sheikh and Senior Superintendent of Police Sujawal Ms Shahela Qureshi.
Addressing the seminar DC Sujawal extolled the contribution of the Village Development Organization that had made Hussainabad a model village of district Sujawal.
He said that it was satisfying that villagers were aware of their rights and duties towards the society and they have left a message for the people of Sindh that communities had always played a vital role in the development of countries.
He said that he was glad to see the exemplary work of villagers in village Hussainabad where they had been maintaining several projects without getting any aid from the authorities concerned.
Imdad Acharani, a local community leader, said that the village is inhabited by the Shia Ismaili Muslim community that held the status of a global community led by Prince Karim Aga Khan. He further said that they had been facilitating local communities through several projects for several years that included vocational training, medical camps, facility of water supply, and educational seminars.
Representative of Village Development Organization Khamiso Muhammad Khan during his speech filled with hope and sensation urged heads of different communities to quell differences for the uplift of society we are living in. He said that the world was on the path of development and to be in the race communal harmony would be one of the essential mechanisms.
He said that their community – The Shia Ismaili community for centuries had been working for the development of Pakistan. “We have over the years encouraged women leadership and motivated girls to seek quality education in our areas”; he said and added that the support of concerned authorities of Sujawal district would help them further stretch their network.
SSP Sujawal emphasized the importance of environmental development and urged local communities to support the complete eradication of crime from the district. DC visited projects launched by the villagers in coordination with the government and vowed more projects in the future. Nooruludin Muhammad Saleh Ashraf Akber and other local leaders also addressed the seminar.
