KARACHI: 4th of February is an important date as the Global cancer community commemorates it as “World Cancer day’ with the slogan ‘Close the care Gap’ and the awareness sessions are held throughout the month of February. In accordance with this Department of Community Dentistry, Baqai Dental College organised a seminar and walk on ‘Oral Cancer’ in February 2023.
The prime focus of this seminar was the prevention, early treatment and eradication of oral cancer, many guest speakers, faculty members and students enthusiastically participated in this session.
Dr Iniyat Padihar (Sitara-e-Imtiaz) and Prof Dr Ayyaz Ali Khan (Director, Baqai Institute of Health Sciences) also graced this event by their presence. Dr Wajiha Anzar (Assistant Professor Department of Community Dentistry) hosted this session, she highlighted the importance of this day. It began with the recitation of versus from the Holy Quran by Dr Shafay Mustafa( House officer, prosthodontics) followed by welcome address and a brief over view by the Head of the Department Community Dentistry, Prof Dr Asghar Ali Shigri regarding the activities held at PHCs on account of World Cancer day. Dr Sara Salman was the first speaker (Head of office, sub office Sindh WHO) she highlighted a very important topic ‘Close the care gap from Public health prospects’ , then Dr Hussain Askari (CEO and HOD Department of Community Dentistry, FJDC) shed light on ‘ Prevention of oral cancer: A roadmap for dental students and educators’ and the last speaker was Dr Ashar Afaq (Associate Professor Department of Community dentistry, Registrar DUHS) he addressed the topic ‘Oral Cancer…Why late?’ in which he discussed about the delays in oral cancer. Entire event concluded with the Vote of thanks by the Principal Baqai Dental College, Dr Talha M Siddiqui and the concluding remarks by the Pro-Vice chancellor Prof Dr Kashif Ikram and Vice Chancellor Baqai Medical University Prof DrIftikhar Ahmed , they all appreciated the effort of Department of Community Dentistry in organizing a successful event and recommended to organize such events in future aswell. At the end of the session the guest speakers received shield as a token of appreciation for their valuable participation.
Followed by the seminar an awareness walk has held from ‘Nishan-e-manzil’ to ‘Super highway gate’ of Baqai Medical University. It was inaugurated by Prof Dr Asghar Ali Shigri and faculty members of Department of Community Dentistry Dr Samreen Mazhar, Dr Mehwish Bano, Dr Farhan Sufi, Dr Mohsin Ahmad and Dr Shadab Rizvi along with the students from Salimullah Fehmi Primary Memorial School (Unit I) took part in it. Posters and banners were designed and displayed by the school students containing important messages about the injurious effect of tobacco and other etiological factors causing oral cancer.
