KARACHI, April 2: The countries of South Asia face similar health problems. The solutions to their problems may also be similar.

So said the editors of the special issue of British Medical Journal (BMJ), which focuses on South Asian countries, on Friday at the ceremony at which the same was launched. The proceedings of the launch ceremony was beamed live to New Delhi, where a group of medical professionals, academics and media people had gathered to take part in the historic event.

The speakers - Dr Richard Smith, Zulfiqar Bhutta, Samiran Nundy and Kamran Abbasi - were of the opinion that the countries of the region should cooperate wholeheartedly to rid the masses of the health problems facing them.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Richard Smith, the BMJ's editor, pointed out that in the journal's 164-year history its April issue was the first one which had been devoted wholly to the health problems of a region. He said the issue entitled "Health in South Asia" was a treasure trove for the government functionaries and ministers of the region looking for sustainable solutions to the commonly occurring health problems.

Arrangements had been made for the free distribution of 3,000 copies of the issue in South Asia, he said. "However, if a philanthropist wishes to get additional 20,000 or 30,000 copies published, he or she is welcome to do so," Dr Smith remarked.

The editor of the BMJ was of the opinion that the electronic edition of the journal was its real version. "There are 100,000 individuals around the world who subscribe to the paper version of BMJ. In contrast, about one million people visit the BMJ's website every month."

The electronic version of the journal had certain features which were unique to it. Dr Smith observed that the countries of South Asia were facing a triple whammy or triple threat so far as health issues were concerned.

The infectious diseases were on the rise in the region, with India having the maximum number of Aids and diabetes cases. "Also, there is no respite from the non-communicable diseases. On top of that, a large number of people die every year in traffic accidents."

Underscoring the importance of vision and leadership in any process aimed at change, he said: "Passion, inclusion, persuasion, empathy, realism, communication and problem-solving are other factors which are needed to make all such efforts successful." Dr Smith was of the view that the rich countries were not sharing their resources and knowledge with the poor countries as much as they should.

"However, this issue of the BMJ is a small step in the right direction." He expressed the hope that similar ventures would be launched in future as well.

Samiran Nundy of India said the BMJ's April issue was a "dream come true". He added that during his two-day stay in Pakistan, he had found Pakistanis to be a nice people.

He, like Dr Smith, expressed the hope that similar projects would be launched in the future as well for the benefit of all the people, poor and rich, of all the countries of the world.

Zulfiqar Bhutta pointed out that one-third of all child deaths and two-thirds of all malnourishment cases occurred in South Asia. The maternal death rate - at 430 per 100,000 - was too high as well.

The health-care services available, on the other hand, were often poor, except perhaps in Sri Lanka. Giving an example, Dr Bhutta observed that the immunity coverage in the case of the both diphtheria and measles was nowhere near 90 per cent.

Kamran Abbasi told the audience that in the issue in question, 31 contributions had come from the Indian health-care professionals and academics. "Twenty-four of the contributions came from Pakistanis, 12 from the United Kingdom, 10 from Sri Lanka, seven from Nepal, five from Bangladesh, four from North America, two from Greece and one each from Kenya and Nigeria."

Later, a lively question-and-answer session was held.