WHO Representative in Pakistan Dr Guido Sabatinelli said on Monday that health can serve as an effective bridge for peace in the South Asian context.
He recounted his personal experiences in Palestine and Jordan and in other countries of the Eastern Mediterranean region such as Afghanistan, that have been affected with war or civil strife over the last three decades, in addition to South American countries, notably El Salvador and Peru.
In Pakistan itself, the polio campaigns have offered temporary respite to the population in conflict-hit zones.
Dr Guido Sabatinelli reached Lahore on Monday to attend the health session of a conference organised by ‘Aman Ki Asha’.
Dr Ghulam Nabi Kazi and Gul Afridi from WHO Pakistan also represented WHO in the session. Referring to the situation in South Asia, Dr Sabatinelli pointed out that in the past; conflicts between the two countries have often led to excess mortality, disease and suffering.
Psychological disturbances are also commonly witnessed in the affected populations with symptoms such as depression, anxiety, anger, violent behaviour, and suicide.
He said while the United Nations is mandated to improve both peace and health by paying attention to the humanitarian needs of such populations, WHO focuses mainly on the health needs.
The WHO country representative traced the history of improving health for peace efforts to the 1980s in Latin America, based on the belief that health, because of its unique value and universal acceptance, could serve as a bridge for peace, solidarity, and understanding among people.
This strategy has often resulted in positive outcomes in enhancing routine EPI coverage, polio eradication campaigns, general health promotion activities, and the control of Tuberculosis, Malaria and HIV/AIDS, in addition to jointly addressing other public health issues after establishing a peace-through-health discipline.
Dr Sabatinelli also referred to a resolution of the World Health Assembly that asserted that the role of physicians and other health workers in the preservation and promotion of peace is the most significant factor for the attainment of health for all.
He hoped that the conference would lead to health gains in both India and Pakistan through cross-border collaboration.
