PESHAWAR, March 9: The Pakistan Association of Urological Surgeons (PAUS) is holding a three-day conference to discuss needs of patients and available facilities in the field of urology.

Speaking at a news conference here on Friday, PAUS (NWFP chapter) President Professor Isa Khan said the 8th National Urology Conference would be held in Peshawar from March 23. It will discus latest research and development in the field of urology.

The conference titled “Bridging the Gap” would take stock of facilities in the province and would make recommendations to the government for improving urological services.

Dr Khan said the sole urology unit in the province was in dilapidated condition and its building had long been declared dangerous.

He said that Punjab was setting up urology units at the district level, whereas Sindh had state-of-the-art services for patients suffering from kidney, ureter and bladder related diseases. Even Balochistan had two urology wards, he added.

Dr Khan said that due to lack of equipment at the urology unit in NWFP patients were being sent to other provinces.

“Every 10 years, the field of urology undergoes dramatic developments. But we are far behind developed countries,” he said.

Citing a geographical study, he said that urological ailments in the NWFP were on the rise.

He said that according a study, 60 per cent of patients admitted in the Lady Reading Hospital had problems related to urology. He sought introduction of urology subject in medical colleges to create awareness among doctors.

The PAUS has 200 members throughout the country. It was formed in 1997 with a view to promoting research and development in the field of urology.