Lahore: A significant summit focused on changing social attitudes towards family planning and population control was held in Lahore, organized by the Department of Population Welfare Punjab in collaboration with TCI Green Star and UNFPA. The event, hosted at a local hotel, brought together leaders in healthcare and digital technology to discuss and promote the integration of advanced digital tools in public health initiatives.

According to Directorate General Public Relation – Govt of Punjab announcement issued on 07 August 2024, the summit was attended by notable figures including Saman Rai, Director General of the Population Welfare Department, Dr. Naila Altaf, and Dr. Syed Aziz Al-Rab, CEO of Green Star. These leaders, alongside other guests from the education sector, government, media, and various social organizations, explored effective strategies to foster positive social changes in family planning and maternal and child health.

During the event, Saman Rai emphasized the critical role of evolving social attitudes in achieving population control goals. He outlined the department’s plans to fully digitize systems and procedures to support these efforts and highlighted the importance of community involvement in realizing development objectives. Rai also stressed the potential of modern media in influencing public perceptions and behaviors towards family planning.

Dr. Syed Aziz Al-Rab spoke about the enduring partnership between the Department of Population Welfare Punjab and Green Star, expressing optimism for the future impact of their joint efforts on societal attitudes. The summit also featured a panel discussion focusing on leveraging digital media to enhance public outreach and education concerning Pakistan’s population challenges.

The event concluded with a commitment to ongoing collaboration and innovation in public welfare, as articulated by Dr. Naila Altaf, who thanked all participants for their contributions and reaffirmed the department’s dedication to improving public health and welfare.