ISLAMABAD, Dec 13: The government is considering to establish an independent institute of dermatology on the premises of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims).

Dr Riaz A. Sheikh, head of the dermatology department at Pims, told Dawn that Health Minister Mohammad Nasir Khan had already given his nod for establishment of a state-of- the-art institute besides promising to arrange funds for the project.

A large number of people are suffering from skin diseases, like scabies, cutaneous lieshmaniasas and fungal ailments, due to lack of awareness of the preventive measures and absence of inexpensive treatment, he added.

Afghan refugees in Pakistan, he added, were also spreading skin diseases among people living near their settlements because of their unhygienic living conditions and the fact that a large number of people lived in small houses.

Dr Sheikh said a feasibility report about establishment of a skin centre had already been worked out and would be submitted to the government soon. About the cost of the project, he said the funding would range up to Rs50 million.

About the salient features of the project, Dr Ikramullah Khan, an associate professor of dermatology at Pims, said the proposed institute would consist of 60 beds, 12 consultative rooms, three operation theatres, three phototherapy units, one laser unit, one derma-pathology unit, one daycare centre, a state-of-the-art conference room, computer lab, research centre and a library.

The institute would also provide modern facility of tele- dermatology, Dr Ikram said, explaining that a skin specialist sitting in the institution would provide online consultation to a doctor at some remote location. He said images of a patient’s ailment would be transferred through the internet from one location to another.

After observing these images, the specialist could advise the doctor sitting in a remote area how to treat the disease.

Dr Ikram, however, said if the government gave permission, the amount needed to build such an institute could be generated by involving the private sector and organizing international seminars and workshops.