KARACHI, March 12: A newly constructed Diabetes and Endocrine Centre of the Dow University of Health Science was inaugurated at a ceremony held at the centre’s premises on Sunday.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, Project Director Prof Zaman Shaikh said the centre would be completed in three phases. The first phase is of the OPD, which will start on Monday.

In the second phase, the centre will be upgraded with provision of modern indoor facilities while postgraduate diplomas and fellowship programmes would be initiated in the final phase, he said.

Dr Zaman said the whole project aimed, primarily, at providing quality treatment to poor patients suffering from diabetes and other hormonal diseases at nominal rates.

“The other goal is that of imparting training to doctors and conducting research besides providing necessary knowledge about diabetes to patients,” he added.

The centre also houses Dowites-80 Diabetic Eye Care Centre established by the DUHS in collaboration with the varsity’s graduates.

MPA and member of the DUHS Akhtar Mehdi Bilgrami, speaking as the chief guest, lauded the varsity’s effort aimed at serving the masses.

The DUHS Vice-Chancellor, Prof Masood Hameed Khan, informed about the varsity’s other projects, such as, development of a human resource centre, community health care centre, upgradation of liver centre, already functioning at Civil Hospital Karachi, establishment of new medical colleges at Ojha Campus and a PhD Lab for PhD programmes.

“Pakistan’s first ever ‘Gene Centre’ will also be established soon,” he added.

About diabetes, he said the only way to effectively deal with the disease was to work on preventive strategies.

The Dow varsity will train teachers from schools and colleges in this regard, who will then impart necessary health education to students in their respective institutions, he said.

Prof Zaman highlighted various misconceptions about diet and insulin injections, which are common among the patients of diabetes.

Prof Shahid Wahab spoke on the disease’s effects, which could be reflected through different complications in the eyes of the patients.

Director OICD, Dr Ashraf Siddique also addressed the ceremony attended by specialists, physicians and doctors.—APP