Jamshed Sultan recently conducted his Annual Small Grant (ASG) project, funded by the U.S. Mission in Pakistan and in partnership with the Pakistan-U.S. Alumni Network (PUAN), focusing on the transformation of unhealthy behaviors in marginalized social segments in Pakistan. The basic concept was to infuse healthy behaviors in rural districts where people have zero to low level of awareness about clean drinking water, safe environment and general health and hygiene practices. The chosen target area for the project execution was More Khunda, Nankana Sahib, a small town located in the outskirts of Lahore, which comprises of approximately 50,000 people who are living in poor sanitation conditions and therefore are more prone to diseases and negative health implications. Jamshed used the opportunity to educate the residents of the area with the aim of raising awareness and eventually leading towards healthy practices and improved standards of living. The workshop was held on November 2nd, 2019 at Al-Najaf Banquet Hall.
Since 2014, around 500 locals were declared deceased due to Hepatitis C, which has become widespread in the area of More Khunda, Nankana Sahib and is causing an increase in the mortality rate while spreading and creating poorer health conditions for the masses. Reasons that have caused this disease to spread outwardly include unhygienic drinking water, poor sewerage system, impoverished practices of basic health and hygiene and unawareness among people to apply health and safety standards on themselves and their surroundings. The project helped attendees understand the consequences and severity of the situation, by teaching curative methods to address the challenge. It served as a stepping stone where professional field officers helped by creating a bridge for local health facilities, where citizens will be given access to necessary treatment according to their conditions. During the closing ceremony, the Assistant Deputy Commissioner (General), invited the people to access health facilities, which are already equipped and he ensured that the people visiting health facilities will receive positive treatment and healthy advice.
Jamshed led his project by engaging the locals in seminars, workshops, awareness raising walks, health camps and also via print and social media. More than 200 participants attended and interacted with the guest speakers while carefully taking note of the motivational and interactive speeches that were delivered. His activities featured advocacy materials and physical demonstrations to provide wide scale opportunities to disease victims in order for them to receive timely treatment. The training session encouraged participants to engage in preparatory activities to create a sanitized environment while also working closely with volunteers to design and develop awareness and advocacy messages and materials. A puppet show was also organized for the participants that delivered educational and awareness messages for child health and their education. The show was widely appreciated by the participants as an effective tool for awareness and advocacy. With this, Jamshed aims to target other areas that require the safety precautionary measures so that citizens belonging from these impoverished areas can benefit from availing the necessary health facilities while also contribute towards the cause by spreading awareness amongst their family and friends. The outcome included sensitizing vulnerable people into adopting safety and healthy habits for early recovery for the affected and early prevention for those not who are not affected. Jamshed remarked,
This project allowed us to ensure at least 5% of the affected people had receiving treatment from various sources such as welfare organizations, local public sector health institutions and individual support. I extend my gratitude to all the volunteers, guest speakers and individuals who served as an integral part in successfully executing this workshop.
Jamshed was accompanied by guest speakers Mr. Ahmed Kamal Assistant Deputy Commissioner (General), Nankana Sahib, Mr. Salman Abid (senior analyst), Mr. Azam Malik (Social activist), Ch. Ghulam Rasool (President Press Club), Mr. Abdul Khaliq (political activist), Mr. Ashab Hussain Lodhi (Assistant outreach officer PUAN) and Mr. Malik Muhammad Azfal Ayub (Government representative). The panel participated by delivering valuable insight on the matter in an attempt to shed light on this pressing issue, by involving local government in cleanliness and also the need of self-driven efforts to keep their homes, streets and the town clean for the overall betterment of the rural society.
