Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) held activities on World Environment Day 2014 in collaboration with Pakistan National Council of Arts (PNCA). The activities included a report launch: BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery) Curriculum - SDPI Second Toxic Mercury Study, Skit Competition among schools of Islamabad/Rawalpindi and launch of a petition on Toxic Mercury/Mercury Amalgam Use in Dentistry.
In his welcome remarks, Dr Abid Qayium Suleri, Executive Director, SDPI appreciated the work carried out on mercury issue and holding of skit competition for awareness raising among the youth. He assured of SDPI's fullest co-operation and support to the government in phasing out mercury use to protect the public health, especially that of children. Mohammed Mobashir, SDPI presented a brief on the World Environment Day.
In the first activity of report launch, the study aimed to improve, evaluate and revise the syllabus content in Dental Teaching Institutions in Pakistan with regard to mercury amalgam. Dr Mehmood A. Khwaja, Senior Advisor Chemicals & SID, SDPI presented the report. He said that lack of awareness and inappropriate knowledge to the practitioners has resulted in increase in mercury vapors in the air. Moreover, it was observed that many dental professionals do not use preventive measures. He suggested a proper mechanism of mercury waste management in place. Referring to survey, Sadaf Nawaz, co-presenter of study explained that 98% respondents of SDPI survey wanted revision in curriculum related to use of mercury.
During discussion, Anusha Shirazi, SDPI suggested to involve Higher Education Commission (HEC) in review and revision of curriculum offered at dental teaching institution in the country. Asif Shujah Khan, Retd. Director General, Pakistan Environment Protection Agency discussed that both political and bureaucratic system should be involved in overcoming the mercury dispersion. He suggested that SDPI should take a step forward and launch a national level mercury reduction campaign with government. He also emphasised that Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) must be carried out before the start of any project rather than after it as it become meaningless.
In the second activity of Skit Competition, PAEC Model College (Nilore) won first prize, Roots International School (Westridge Branch) got 2nd prize and Dar -e- Arqam (Ali Pur Farash) stood third amongst all. The award for the distinguished performances went to ICAS (Islamabad College of Arts & Science, OSCS (Out of School Children School) and Kids City High School (Kahuta). Mashood Ahmad Mirza, Joint Secretary/DG, Ministry of information and National Heritage also the Chief Guest of Competition appreciated the effort of schools and SDPI. He said that SDPI took an initiative to use ART for advocacy and awareness rising on health and environmental issues, especially among school students. "We had anticipated that the contest would lead to greater understanding for the protection of environment, healthy living and sustainable development" he added.
On the occasion, SDPI launched a petition against mercury. Mohammed Mobashir shared the background of petition. He said that most recently, 140 countries signed an agreement in Geneva to reduce mercury use and control its emission and release by the end of the 2020. In this regard, SDPI worked on a study that indicates the level of mercury at selected sites is 8-20 times higher than the permissible for human health. "In the light of above study, SDPI has submitted the list of first 1000 signatories supporting the petition against mercury to Honourable Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to urge him to consider the drafting of mercury specific legislation against mercury poisoning across the country" he added.-PR