22 January 2004	Thursday	29 Ziqa'ad 1424

KARACHI, Jan 21: Liaquat National Hospital (LNH) on Wednesday organised a number of pre-symposium workshops on various topics in connection with its 5th symposium on "Evolving Patient Care: 50 Years and Beyond" starting today (Thursday).

The symposium is a part of the golden jubilee celebrations of the hospital, and would continue till January 25, 2004. Vice-Chancellor University of Karachi, Dr Pirzada Qasim Raza Siddiqui, will formally inaugurate the symposium at a ceremony on Thursday evening.

According to the schedule of the symposium, a video conference on atherosclerotic disorders in Asians will be organised. A panel of local specialists will participate in a live link-up with experts from leading international hospitals in a discussion on the subject.

Besides, over 20 free paper sessions and a vast array of lectures by leading national and international specialists in clinical and diagnostic disciplines will be part of the symposium. A book fair will be organised from January 22 to 25. A hospital Mela will also be organised for LNH employees.

In connection with the 50th anniversary of the LNH, a public awareness week was also observed from January 12 till January 17 during which doctors and specialists conducted free medical checkups.

Workshop: The department of neurosurgery, Liaquat National Hospital, Karachi, on Wednesday organized a workshop for school-children. The workshop was attended by 300 students.

At the workshop, children were advised to follow traffic rules. Dr. Salman Faridi, medical director, LNH, stressed the need for using seatbelts while driving or travelling in a vehicle. Dr. Salman Sharif, consultant neurosurgeon, dwelt on horrific accidents and their outcome.

According to him, 50 per cent deaths and disabilities are preventable by fastening seat-belts. He said that 50 deaths occur daily in Pakistan due to road accidents.

Dr. Shahid Noor and Dr. Muddasir Dar spoke about preventable injuries to bone and chest. Prof Vohra and Prof Raja from Lahore and Khaliq Shaikh, TPO Gulshan-i-Iqbal, underscored the need for strictenforcement of law.-PPI