24 January 2004	Saturday	01 Zilhaj 1424

KARACHI, Jan 23: Vice Chancellor, University of Karachi Prof. Dr. Pirzada Qasim Raza Siddiqui, here on Friday underlined the need for a sustainable healthcare system in the country.

Speaking at the inaugural session of the fifth Liaquat National Hospital Symposium on "evolving medical care 50 years and beyond", said the sustainable healthcare system should do more than curing and providing remedies.

"We need one single system that prevents diseases, promotes health and provides lifelong holistic care to our people, whether rich or poor", he remarked.

In this context, the KU VC pointed out that the responsibility of health professionals was two-folds as they not only were expected to provide quality medical and allied services, but also have to contribute to the rapid advances being made in medical technologies.

He congratulated the staff, faculty, management and administration of the LNH for their devotion, dedication and commitment reflected during last 50 years turning the health-care outlet into a fully fledged hospital providing a wide range of most updated health care facilities to the masses at affordable rates.

Dr. Pirzada Qasim, referring to the symposium, said the the multi-professional and multi-disciplinary gathering of experts not only underlines the commitment towards the future development of health-care system not only in the LNH but also throughout the country.

"It is a remarkable achievement for a hospital founded with only 10 beds nurtured into 700 bedded hospital with 33 disciplines of patients care and management", he said, adding the precedence set by the LNH has provided other medical and health care institutions with some very useful pointers for success.

He was also appreciative of the fact that the LNH had kept itself abreast with the latest and the best technology and knowledge and remains in constant process for further planning with long-term objectives in view.

Dr. Pirzada Qasim supported the proposal for establishing a medical college at the LNH in the backdrop of the fact that the hospital was better equipped than any other institute in the city.

Speaking on the occasion, the medical director of the LNH, Dr. Salman Faridi, said that the LNH had been a pioneer in many medical services ever introduced in the country.

He said that a new six-storey block spread over an area over 125,000 sq. feet was nearing completion and would house 10 new, state of the art operation theatres.

Moreover, Dr. Faridi pointed out that a highly advanced computerized system was being installed that would help in the eventual creation of a "paper-less" culture and environment and would allow direct online access to laboratory, radiology and clinical services.

A neuro-navigation system has been acquired for the department of neuro-surgery, he said, adding that this was one of its kind in Pakistan and would greatly enhance precision in intracranial and spinal surgery.

The LNH director also announced launching of three new services, including lithrotripter service for patients with kidney stones, planned to be launched in February this year, adding that the LNH would consequently start a telemedicine clinic, again first of its kind offering patients a live, web-based consultation service with enhanced accessibility to overseas experts.

The hospital management intends to open a medical college of quality and stature to complement the clinical services and postgraduate training programmes being run by the hospital.

Director administration of the hospital Dr. Azmat Abidi cited the LNH to be a hospital in private sector with no commercial motives. It is a "Not-for-Profit" institution, he said.

Mentioning that the LNH had a very humble beginning with provision for four out-patients clinics and 50 beds, he said it has steadily and consistently grown into one of the best healthcare centres of the country, having a capacity of over 700 beds and out-patient consulting clinics in 32 different specialties.

In his welcome address, the secretary of symposium committee Dr. Shakil Aqil said that the hospital conducted a number of pre-symposium workshops. The workshops were followed with a video conference on "atherosclerotic disease among Asians" participated by experts from Karachi, Mumbai and Bangkok.

They included Dr. Pavit Pienvichit and Dr. Himathongkam at Bangkok, Dr. Sarosh M. Katrak and Dr. Hemraj B. Chandalia at Mumbai and Dr. Iffat Yazdani, Dr Mansoor Ahmed, Dr. Farrukh Shoaib Khan, Dr. Asim Hussain, Dr. Kamal M.Yousuf at Karachi.

The experts discussing the topic from their respective centres observed marked differences in the incidence and nature of cardiovascular diseases among South Asians and people of European origin.

The issue of cardio-vascular and carotid disease due to atherosclerotic and diabetes was also discussed. The participants also raised certain pertinent questions. A pharmaceutical exhibition was also inaugurated by the VC.-APP