11 October 2004	Monday	25 Shaban 1425

KARACHI, Oct 10: Osteoporosis in which the bones become porous and break easily is one of the world most common and debilitating diseases, which results in pain, loss of movement, inability to perform daily chore, and in many cases death.

This was stated by Sindh Minister for Women Development Dr Saeeda Malik while addressing at the Fourth National Seminar on Osteoporosis held at a local hotel. She said that one out of three women over 50 would experience osteoporitic fractures.

"Unfortunately, screening for people at risk is far from being a standard practice. The disease can be easily diagnosed and effective treatments are also available," she said and stressed that awareness should be spread among people about its treatment.

The minister pointed out that osteoporosis was second only to cardiovascular disease as a leading health care problem, according to the WHO. She said that less than 20 years ago public health authorities were scarcely aware that preventive measures for osteoporosis existed adding that there certainly were not enough effective treatments for those who suffered.

Many people expected that their twilight years would inevitably include pain and disability, she maintained. Dr Akhtar Ahmed, Dr Nusrat Khoro, Dr Rehman Baig and Dr Khalid Niaz also spoke at the seminar. -PPI