Provincial minister Communication and Works, Malik Tanveer Aslam Awan has said that Diarrhea and Pneumonia along with malnutrition are the leading causes of child deaths in Pakistan. Every year 53 thousand children died because of diarrhea in Pakistan. This is an alarming situation which demands us to shield these children from preventable childhood diseases and practicing improved hygiene behaviors, access to clean water and sanitation can help us to reduce these numbers. He said that as a developing country we are facing number of challenges, for which we all have to work together to resolve. He expressed these views while addressing a seminar organized in collaboration with HUD & PHED Punjab on Global Hand Washing Day & Project completion ceremony of scaling up PATS in Punjab Project in Lahore. The event was attended by Provincial Minister PDMA Mehar Aija, Chairman P&D Jhanzaib Khan, secretary PHED, Doctor Shabana, policy makers, senior Government officials, civil society and children. The Provincial Minister C& W acknowledged the role of Plan International for its 20 years long efforts to develop coordination and synergies among the different department and sector partner responsible for the improvement of Wash Services. He said that Luckily, my District Chakwal was one of the target districts under the Scaling Up PATS in Punjab Project and I am myself a witness of the good work done by Plan and implementing departments i.e. PHED and Local Government. The Minister said that it is appreciable to organize such an enthusiastic event of Global Hand Washing Day through collaborative of Plan International Pakistan in order to address a challenging issue. The Global Hand washing Day campaign motivates and mobilizes people around the world to improve their hand washing habits. The key factor that influenced this commemoration was the increased child mortality rates that were related to respiratory and diarrhea diseases. “Our Hands, Our Future” This year’s theme serves as a reminder that hand washing plays a crucial role in having a healthy and happy future. At the end of event a memorial shield gave to the Minister by plan international organization.
