LAHORE: In an effort to address the growing challenge of Vitamin D deficiency among young professionals, the Public Health Society of the 54th Common Training Programme (CTP) at the Civil Services Academy (CSA) launched a comprehensive health promotion and supplementation campaign titled “D-DRIVE, BE ALIVE” on Saturday, bringing together public health experts, senior academy officials and representatives of the pharmaceutical industry.
The initiative, organised by the Public Health Society as part of its commitment to promoting evidence-based health awareness within the academy, sought to sensitise probationary officers and faculty members to the health risks associated with Vitamin D deficiency, a condition widely regarded as a silent but significant public health concern in Pakistan.
Held at the Civil Services Academy, the programme was supported by five pharmaceutical companies. The collaboration reflected an emerging model of partnership between public institutions and the private sector aimed at strengthening preventive healthcare awareness among future public servants.
The event opened with presentations by representatives of the participating pharmaceutical companies, who highlighted the importance of nutritional health, preventive interventions and public awareness campaigns in combating micronutrient deficiencies. The speakers included Amir Mahmood, Azeem Safdar, Faisal Mushtaq, Zafar Iqbal and Shafique Abbasi of the pharmaceutical companies.
The programme’s central focus, however, remained on public health education. Dr Yadullah and Prof Iqbal Hussain delivered detailed presentations on the prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency in Pakistan, describing it as one of the country’s most widespread yet under-recognised health challenges.
Participants were informed that despite Pakistan’s abundant sunlight, Vitamin D deficiency remains alarmingly common due to changing lifestyles, limited outdoor activity, urban living patterns and inadequate awareness regarding preventive healthcare practices.
A key feature of the initiative was the symbolic distribution of initial loading doses of Vitamin D supplements among probationary officers. The supplements were distributed through the presidents of various societies of the 54th CTP, reflecting a collective commitment to fostering a culture of health consciousness, prevention and personal well-being within the academy.
Addressing the gathering, Director General Civil Services Academy Farhan Aziz Khawaja lauded the Public Health Society for conceiving and organising a programme that linked public health awareness with practical preventive action.
