INTRODUCTION

The course on Environmental and Occupational Health (EOH) provides the participants information regarding regulations and policies of EOH in Pakistan. The course gives information on principles in occupational health, occupational toxicology, industrial hygiene and physiologic assessment of health. It also talks about principles of risk assessment, hazard identification, emergencies and disaster management. The approach integrates epidemiologic methods such as study design in environment and occupational health, surveillance and data transformation, and related analytic methods and exposure measurement in the workplace to assess EOH risks. It provides theoretical background and some practical observation for identifying and measuring the influence of environmental factors (physical, chemical, and biological) on human health in communities to provide scientific evidence for EOH interventions in Pakistan.

This has been offered since 2004 and todate two courses have been organized for 42 national participants.  

GOAL

The overall goal is to enhance the understanding of the participants for the application EOH principles at their workplaces and other settings. It provides skills on public health tools and methods to investigate the problem of EOH and protect the worker, the working environment, and the environment in general.

ELEMENTS OF THE COURSE

This training focuses on specifically:

• Understand the principles of EOH sciences
• Occupational health; workplace surveillance & monitoring
• Risk assessment and hazard identification
• Emergency preparedness and disaster management
• Data informatics in EOH applications
• Important EOH issues in Pakistan like Air pollution (outdoor and indoor), Water pollution, Pesticides and Lead exposure

MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION

Medium of instruction of the course is English. Participants are expected to be proficient enough to comprehend, and read and write in English language.

TEACHING METHOD

This will be accomplished through lectures, tutorials and discussions.  Great emphasis is placed on experiential learning. 

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

The course is participatory and proficiency-based and will benefit professionals /academic health science educators involved in teaching EOH, individuals in government and private sector agencies and industries responsible for EOH, NGO representatives with technical responsibilities for EOH issues, postgraduate public health students and researchers involved in EOH. It also provides some insight to individuals responsible for safety of the workers and workplace.

DURATION OF THE COURSE

The duration of the course is 6 working days. The scheduled dates are from May 21 to 26, 2007, both days inclusive.

TUITION FEE

The course tuition fee is Pak Rs. 10,000/= (US $ 170/=), which covers classroom instructions, course material, refreshment, and simple lunch during working hours.

COURSE DIRECTOR

Dr Masood Kadir
Associate Professor and
Head, Public Health Division
Tel: (092-21) 4864823
Email: masood.kadir@aku.edu

All applications must be addressed to Mr. Amin Hirani, Senior Programme Officer, Continuing Education Programme, Community Health Sciences Department, Aga Khan University, Stadium Road, P.O. Box 3500, Karachi 74800, Pakistan; Tel: (092-21) 4864839; Email: amin.hirani@aku.edu; Fax #: (092-21) 4934294 / 4932095.

More information can be obtained from Dr. Zafar Fatmi, Course Coordinator, Tel #: (092-21) 4864833, Email: zafar.fatmi@aku.edu or Ms. Nadira Ashraf, Tel #: (092-21) 4864802, E-mail: nadira.ashraf@aku.edu.