PESHAWAR, Sept 28: NWFP Governor Syed Iftikhar Hussain Shah has stressed the need for proper planning to make health facilities accessible to everyone without any discrimination.

He was speaking at a one-day seminar entitled “Heart diseases in women” organised by the Pakistan Cardiac Society to mark the World Heart Day here on Sunday.

The governor said whatever the model was chosen for improving the health system, doctors played a pivotal role in connection with its success.

The ceremony was also addressed by Dr Shehreyar Dr Abdul Samad and Dr Muhammad Hafizullah.

Heart diseases, including stroke, were a major public health concern all over the world and one of the major causes of death and disability worldwide over the age of 65, the governor said.

Referring to the references made by various speakers, the governor said: “If equal access to health resources has been denied to liberated women of the West, our women must be facing acute discrimination under one pretext or another”.

Referring to the causes of heart diseases amongst the women, the governor said their inability to work full-time jobs, the onset of depression and anxiety, concern about a repeat heart attack, chronic pain, physical disability and the inability to fulfil traditional family roles could affect the quality of a woman’s life.

President of the PCS Dr Shehreyar said: “Unlike the rest of the world, 30 per cent of the heart patients happen to be below the age of 40 years in Pakistan, and among them women were most vulnerable.

Dr Abdul Samad, Dr Kiramat Ali Shah and Dr Shaukat Ali Shah suggested ways to lessen chances of cardiac diseases, saying that brisk walks, good dietary habits and avoidance of smoking and fats improved the chances of patients.

Dr Mohammad Hafizullah earlier welcomed participants of the seminar.