An awareness event for various basic health issues and particularly the effects of consuming Gutka, chalia and other tobacco related substances in our society was held recently in collaboration with Latif Kapadia Memorial Welfare Trust (LKMWT) and The Hunar Foundation (THF) to safeguard the common ailments within the society by adapting precautionary measures and spreading awareness.
This ‘Gutka Eradication’ event was held at the Karachi Institute of THF, with the core purpose of educating the students about the harmful effects of consuming gutka and chalia and its precautionary steps that are needed to be ensured, to overcome this addiction.
The workshop was conducted by Dr. Dinaz Ghandhi, Associate Professor, Altamash Institute of Dental Medicine (AIDM) and Consultant Oral and Maxillofacial surgeon at Aga Khan University Hospital, and Ms. Naeema Kapadia, Executive Director- LKMWT, along with Mr. Farman Khan & Mr. Arsalan Khan of LKMWT.
The junior doctors of Altamash Institute of Dental Medicine were also present at the occasion and carried out an oral screening camp for over 100 students and staff members of the Dehli Mercantile Society Technical Institute (DMSTI).
Commenting on the occasion, Dr. Dinaz Ghandhi, said, “This event today is a follow up to highlight the hazards of tobacco, gutka and chalia paan etc, its usage and oral health awareness. Now we are conducting a screening medical camp for all the students to see how many of them indulge in use of the above hazardous substances and show signs of precancerous lesions or conditions like oral submucous fibrosis (OSF). It will help identify individuals who require further medical assistance,” she concluded.
Ms. Naeema Kapadia of LKMWT was thankful for the opportunity to continue their collaboration with THF and be given this platform where they are able to provide health awareness.
She added that, Gutka eradication program is primarily focused on the prevention and hazards of tobacco usage. It is imperative that the future of our country is healthy—a healthy mind is a progressive mind.
She also thanked the team of AIDM, for being a part of the event.
