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NEWSBITS
Experts call for awareness to check hepatitis
Senior medical professionals have called for public awareness with regard to prevention of hepatitis, assuming serious proportions in Pakistan.
Addressing a press conference at the Karachi Press Club, Prof Tipu Sultan from Civil Hospital, Prof Asghar Channa and Associate Professor Liaquat Ali from the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre and Abu Noem Farooqui of Abbasi Shaheed Hospital appreciated the initiatives taken for establishment of “The Saviours Club” through joint efforts of the Pakistan Medical Association and the World Health Organization.
They said that hepatitis B and C could be extremely hazardous and deadly if handled carelessly. The experts called for awareness at all levels for prevention of all types of the disease mentioning that while hepatitis A and D could be treatable and self-limiting type B and C of hepatitis have to be averted through conscious efforts.
It was mentioned that The Saviours Club also aimed to fight against the spread of hepatitis and to promote safe and ethical practice among medical professionals and create public awareness.
The club is an independent entity being operated by doctors while Otsuka Pakistan is supporting this project to contain spread of hepatitis virus.
The experts cautioned that incidence of hepatitis was fast rising and prevalence of the disease was increasing all over the world especially in developing countries where one of the main causes was lack of awareness.
Senior professionals also stressed certain factors like the practice of unnecessary needle pricking and administration of intra-venous drips, which were generally overlooked.
Meanwhile, PMA stated that it was the duty of all doctors and concerned citizens to create awareness regarding hepatitis and make sure that this preventable disease should not stay in the community for a long period.
According to PMA, hepatitis is increasing rapidly in the country and 10 per cent of the population is affected by this virus.
The infection is usually spread by intimate contacts, use of contaminated syringes, unhygienic practices at barber shops and failure of screening of blood at blood banks. — Sci-tech World Report
7 million diabetics in Pakistan
Pakistan is facing an alarming rise in diabetes with about 30 per cent of local children obese and 14.2 per cent of below 40 years population at threshold of being inflicted with Diabetes Mellitus Type-II in the next few years.
Speakers at a seminar, organized by Dow University of Health Sciences in Karachi to commemorate World Diabetes Day, attributed the scenario to sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy dietary trends among both rural and urban populations.
According to them, the diabetic population pertaining to varied age groups is currently estimated to be seven million in Pakistan which in the next 20 years would surge to no less than 15 million.
Regarding efficient primary prevention among high risk population groups, it was reminded that established studies reflected clear evidence of 58 per cent decline in the possible incidence through modified lifestyle while 31 per cent reduction on basis of adequate medical therapy.
Pakistan Diabetic Association’s (PDA) president, Prof Samad Shera; JPMC Director, Prof Mashoor Alam; Prof M. Zaman Sheikh of Medicine Department, Civil Hospital Karachi; Prof Nusrat Khan of Gynaecology and Obstetric Department, Civil Hospital Karachi; Dr Abdul Basit of Baqai Medical University; Dr Abdul Jabbar and Dr Niaz Sheikh of the Aga Khan University presented their respective papers on the occasion.
Highlighting severe consequences, further studies were presented at the seminar showing high risk of diabetic population being struck with retinopathy and ultimately blindness, neuropathy, renal failure, peripheral vascular diseases, foot ulcerations and amputations and impotency.
Economic implications of the disease and the financial burden imposed upon patients were also discussed on the occasion. According to Prof Mashkoor Alam, dialysis costs no less than Rs120,000 per year while those undergoing cataract surgery have to bear Rs5000 and above.
These were said to be besides the cost incurred on procurement of drugs for control of blood sugar levels, insulin and syringes. Prof Mashoor Alam reminded that quality of life was compromised affecting the working and consequently the earning capacities of patients with direct impact on family members.
Dr Zaman Sheikh referred to rampant misconceptions regarding efficacy of varied natural products to treat diabetes. Dr Abdul Jabbar urged adequate management of the diseases.
He reminded of the Psychological Insulin Resistance which landed the patient in the utmost state of disbelief that he might have the disease. According to him, it is on part of doctors to make the patients realize that the beta cells have stopped working to its optimum in their case and that it is irreversible.
Dr Abdul Basit also referred to a provisional study showing 33.3 per cent to 40.2 per cent adult Lyariites to be either already diabetic or holding all chances to become so.
Discussing Gestational Diabetes, Prof Nusrat Khan reminded that 12 per cent to 25 per cent pregnant women were prone to have the very condition while one out of every 250 women report with the same enhancing due realization on part of both doctors and sufferers about the importance of proper management.
Accelerating AIDS programme
A review mission of World Bank in Karachi, expressing satisfaction over the performance of Sindh Health Department, emphasized accelerating the ongoing Enhanced HIV/AIDS Control Programme and proper utilization of funds in specified time.
In a meeting with Health Secretary Dr Noshad A. Shaikh at Sindh Secretariat, the delegation apprised him of their observations and findings during their visit to various prisons in Karachi, Hyderabad and red light areas.
The health secretary informed the mission about ongoing projects and assured that these would be further improved and accelerated. — Sci-tech World Report
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