New York: World Children’s Day is being observed today (Sunday) to improve children’s welfare worldwide.
This year’s theme of the day is, “Inclusion, For Every Child.”
Meanwhile, the UN experts, in a joint statement, have called for intensified efforts to combat the persisting prevalence of violence, exploitation, abuse, trafficking, torture and harmful practices against children.
Pakistan Pediatrics Association of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa celebrated World Children’s Day-2022 in collaboration with UNICEF, here, on Sunday.
The event, participated by pediatricians, healthcare professionals, students, teachers, children and parents, was held at the Khyber Institute of Health Hayatabad Peshawar. Taimur Khan Jhagra, Minister for Health and Finance KP was the chief guest on this occasion.
Welcoming the guests, Prof Muhammad Hussain, the President of PPA, KP, highlighted the importance of World Children’s Day. He said that Nov20 marks the adoption of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
#ForEveryChild, every right
— Toby Fricker (@tobyfricker) November 20, 2022
Happy #WorldChildrensDay pic.twitter.com/CQLyaGpjgP
This convention is the most ratified human rights treaty in the history of the world and it is a day to reimagine a better future for every child. Prof Inayat Khan, Director of Khyber Institute of Child Health, said that the children of today are the future of Pakistan and if we invest in their health and education, it will be reflected in the form of a better tomorrow.
He lamented the fact that the health indicators of Pakistani children are far from satisfactory. A large number of our Children are suffering from ill health and malnutrition and are dying from vaccine-preventable diseases and other infections.
Prof Abdu Hameed, a senior pediatrician, told the audience that the Convention on the Rights of the Child had guaranteed equal rights to all children without any discrimination. These rights include the rights to survival, development, protection and participation but unfortunately, many children in Pakistan were denied these rights and they suffer in isolation.
Prof Ashfaque Ahmad Khan, the founder of Pediatrics and child health in KP, also addressed the audience. He said that besides other reasons, the population explosion was a major factor behind many socio-economic ills, including poor child health, childhood malnutrition and rampant child abuse and neglect.
Dr Inam, Health Specialist UNICEF, in his speech expressed deep concern about the poor health indicators of children like a high infant and neonatal mortality and low immunization coverage. He stressed that the government needed to enhance its budgetary allocations for the health and education of children.
Taimur Khan Jhagra, Minister for Health and Finance, assured the audience that the KP govt was committed to expanding access to health care to the masses. He said that the Sehat Insaf Card had empowered the poorest of the poor to access high-quality medical treatment.
Children are our present and our future. I welcome @UNICEF's initiative to empower children around the world to stand up for their own rights. We, adults should do the same. Every day.
— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) November 20, 2022
Happy #WorldChildrensDay! https://t.co/d2gZjNYuN3
Quoting the example of Bacha Khan Medical Complex, Swabi, the Minister of Health, said that under the MTI an average hospital was fast transforming to a Centre of Excellence in health care. He assured that the KP govt would provide bridge financing to complete and operationalize the Children’s Hospital Hayatabad by mid-2023.
Dr. Gohar Amin, General Secretary PPA KP, thanked the guests for their participation in the Children’s Day celebrations.
