KARACHI, Jan 12: A "Public Awareness Week" got under way at the Liaquat National Hospital (LNH) on Monday. Various issues in heart ailments, particularly prevention of the same, were discussed.

Cardiac surgeons Dr Asadullah Hussaini and Dr Muddassir Dar told the people attending a seminar that heart surgery could prolong life. They were of the view that the impression that heart surgery was dangerous should be dispelled. Heart surgery was getting more common by the day and as such should be viewed as a good option by the heart patients, they observed.

LNH Medical Director Dr Salman Faridi said prevention was better than cure and as such the masses should be educated about how they could avoid major diseases.

Dr Ishrat Saleem said people should be educated about the effects, which diseases like diabetes, hypertension and asthma, besides, heart complications could have on their lives. Cost of treatment was increasing rapidly, because of new techniques and modern equipment.

In the absence of coherent and focussed national health policy, Dr Mir Saleem said, health care centres like Liaquat hospital should come forward to educate the masses about ways to prevent the common diseases.

According to the programme for Public Awareness Week, thestaff of Liaquat National Hospital will discuss issues in infectious diseases and prevention of viral hepatitis, tuberculosis and smoking on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, the experts will educate public on bowel cancer, gastric problems, oral cancer, treatment of burns, osteoporosis and osteo-arthritis.

Thursday will be observed as a "Mother and Child Day". The health care professionals will be discussing breast cancer in detail. Common gynaecological problems will also be taken up, according to a press release of the Liaquat National Hospital.

Experts will focus on kidneys and related diseases on Friday. Blood in urine, kidney stones, renal failure and urinary incontinence will be discussed on the day.

People will be educated on sugar control through appropriate dietary habits on the Diabetes Day, to be observed on Saturday. The experts will also speak on the possible effects on kidneys.