2018 Public Health Photography Contest

Lahore: Award distribution ceremony for public health themed photography competition titled, ‘Our health, our future’ was held at the Punjab Public Health Agency (PPHA) on 20th April 2018. The winners were felicitated by the chief guest, Minister for Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department, and guest of honour, Member Health, Planning and Development Department.

The competition was arranged to commemorate the annual world health day, and is the first in a series of Engagement-4-Health activities planned with the youth for public health promotion in Punjab. This competition intended to capture youth’s perspective of public health, and sensitize them to the need for promotion and protection of the health and well-being of the people of Punjab. The event was attended by eminent public health academicians and experts. Undergraduate and postgraduate students from different public and private universities from across Punjab participated in the competition. Over 1000 entries were received and reviewed by expert photographers’ panel. The photographs were showcased and prizes were awarded to the top three winners i.e. Sannan Tariq, Muhammad Anique Zafar, and Mehreen Hassan.

The Minister highlighted the youth that comprise over 65 percent of the province’s population are our biggest asset. It is critical that our young generation is well-informed and aware of development challenges faced by Punjab and actively participate in awareness building campaigns for protecting and promoting the health and well-being of the People of Punjab. He said that our young generation is our biggest hope for a brighter and prosperous Punjab.

Member Planning & Development appreciated the great talent exhibited and encouraged the young audience to participate actively in community mobilization initiatives, research and behavioural change communication activities. As privileged members of the society we have our duty towards making all possible effort for the betterment of the society at large.

Chief Executive Officer PPHA, Dr Shabnum Sarfraz said that with this activity we are one step closer towards the organization of Punjab Medical Reserve Corps, a youth volunteer driven programme to be launched this year with support from the Global Health Next Gen. The program will engage student volunteers at graduate, undergraduate and high school level to strengthen the public health and community resilience in Punjab. Globally such programmes are among the first to respond to disasters, organize health screenings and create community awareness. Benefiting from the youth bulge within the population pyramid of the province, the program should be able to disseminate a health message to over 90 percent of the population in Punjab in less than 12 days.