PESHAWAR: Health department is upgrading district headquarters hospitals to lessen burden of patients on medical teaching institutions in Peshawar, says Ihtisham Ali, adviser to chief minister on health.

He was addressing a ceremony held here on Tuesday in connection with conducting 1,000 bariatric operations on obese people during the last five years in Khyber Teaching Hospital.

“The occasion is festive because our doctors at government hospitals have helped patients to prevent diabetes, hypertension and other fatal diseases,” he said.

Mr Ali pledged to address various issues such as completing the new board of governors’ team, procuring essential resources, recruiting necessary staff and improving care at district hospitals to alleviate patients’ burden on MTIs.

He emphasised the government’s commitment to prioritising healthcare and education.

The dean of Khyber Medical College, Prof Mahmud Aurangzeb, who addressed the ceremony through video link, appreciated Prof Mohammad Zarin and his team for their dedication to achieving the significant milestone. He highlighted the global history of bariatric surgery and expressed pride in bringing this advanced technology to KTH.

The chairperson of surgery department, Prof Mah Muneer Khan, congratulated surgery department for this remarkable feat. She said that prevention was better than cure as it cost nothing.

Prof Mohammad Ayaz Khan, the acting medical director of the hospital, urged the adviser to chief minister to allocate funds to KTH to overcome the shortage of human resources and procure necessary equipment and materials.

Prof Mohammad Zarin, a laparoscopic general surgeon, appreciated the dean of KMC and chairperson of surgery department and management of the hospital for their support.

Published in Dawn, October 23rd, 2024