KARACHI, March 31: Joint efforts are needed to combat rising cardiovascular diseases in South Asia, a region, which is more prone to these diseases than other parts of the world.

These views were expressed at the inaugural session of the first SAARC Congress of Cardiology 2006 held here at the Department of Cardiology Liaquat National Hospital.

The three-day event mainly aims at raising awareness among general physicians and sensitizing the masses on how to prevent heart-related diseases.

Experts from all SAARC countries including the newly inducted Afghanistan are attending the congress, organized by the SAARC Cardiac Society and hosted by the Pakistan Cardiac Society.

Speakers said that cardiovascular diseases were rising at an alarming proportion in the region, emerging as the second common cause of death, next only to trauma/accidents.

They said that heart disease did not just kill the elderly–it was the leading cause of death among the youth as well.

The speakers said that the rest of the picture was filled with individuals struggling against the complications of cardiovascular diseases on a daily basis.

The federal director-general of Health, Abdul Hameed Rajput, the chairman of SAARC Congress of Cardiology 2006, Dr Ejaz Vohra, Prof Mansoor Ahmed President SAARC Cardiac Society, Secretary SAARC Congress Dr Abdul Rasheed Khan, Prof Abdul Samad, Prof Shaharyar Shaikh, Brig Athar Kiani, and delegate from India, Aneel Kumal expressed their concern regarding the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases in the SAARC countries.

Speaking on the occasion, Abdul Hameed Rajput said that South Asia shared common socioeconomic problems and hence common health-related issues.

He stressed the need to urgently control cardiovascular diseases by controlling the risk factors predisposing to increase prevalence of cardiovascular diseases.

Mr Rajput said that the use of tobacco was highly prevalent in South Asia and was highly contributing to the rising death level in the region.

He said that the governments of the region should launch mega campaigns about public awareness for the reduction of tobacco consumption in the region.

According to the WHO, 16.7 million people die annually due to cardiovascular diseases in South Asia and by 2020 cardiovascular diseases will become the leading cause of both death and disability worldwide.

The president of SAARC Cardiac Society, Prof Mansoor Ahmed, said that user of tobacco had twice the chances of heart attack as compared to non-smokers. He said people who were sedentary had twice the risk of heart disease as those who were physically active.

The chairman of SAARC Congress of Cardiology 2006, Dr Ejaz Vohra, said that joint efforts were needed to combat these diseases. Other speakers also emphasized upon the need to work collectively for the elimination of cardiovascular diseases in South Asia.

Meanwhile President Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz in their separate messages said that the SAARC Congress of Cardiology 2006, being held from March 31 to April 2 would serve as a gateway to medical cooperation in South Asia.

President Musharraf, in his message said that regional cooperation in terms of research, exchange of experience, skills and expertise was vital to identify the causes and to stop the rampage of this epidemic.

Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz in his message said that people in South Asia were facing a real challenge in terms of prevailing cardiovascular diseases and that was one of the obstacles to our economic progress.

“The occasion would provide a forum for exchanging ideas, dissemination of knowledge and research activities which is not only better for the people of Pakistan but also for the people living in South Asia.”—PPI