KARACHI, Dec 29: The Pakistan Medical Association on Friday said that the year 2006 saw an unabated increase in diseases in Karachi and other parts of Sindh, which could be termed as government’s failure in the health sector.

In a statement signed by its Karachi chapter General Secretary Dr S M Qaisar Sajjad, it was said that the overall situation pertaining to healthcare in the country remained a major source of concern for citizens and medical professionals as well.

Of the 39 polio cases detected in the country during the year, 12 were reported from Sindh, while on the other hand diseases related to water, air and noise pollution and mosquitoes could not be reduced at any level, particularly in Karachi, it was further added.

Moreover, the PMA Karachi felt that nasal and respiratory diseases continued with an upward trend due to ineffective measures of the government.

Referring to the dengue epidemic which claimed 49 lives in six months in Karachi alone, the PMA said that the incidence of bird flu, dengue fever and congo virus should not be ignored. It demanded of the government to set up a modern diagnostic laboratory for viral infections in Karachi and ensure facilities of related treatments in all public hospitals.

The PMA was of the view that the government should take the responsibility of providing free-of-cost medical treatment to patients at all levels and play its due role in prevention of diseases.

AKU HEALTHCARE EVENT: Doctors at the AKU have advised people not to ignore back pain and consider a surgery if the pain was severe and lasted despite six to 12 weeks of medical therapy.