KARACHI, March 20: Cardiologists seeking mandatory programmes for preventive cardiology have called for maximum government involvement in promoting the cause of disease prevention with support for regular training of local physicians. Speaking at the inaugural session of the third National Congress of Preventive Cardiology here on Saturday the experts also attributed the theme of the event “Exercise for your Heart” absolutely relevant to the local condition where, presently, people increasingly inflicted with central or truncal obesity were consequently reporting with severe cardiac conditions at a much young age.

The event is being organised by the Department of Cardiology, Liaquat National Hospital (LNH) in collaboration with Pakistan Cardiac Society (PCS).

Chairman of the Congress and the Head of Cardiology Department, LNH, Prof Mansoor Ahmed maintained that less than sub-optimal level of prosperity in the society with people increasingly inflicted with cardiac disease leaves prevention the only option to combat associated mortality.

He said an alarming aspect was also the fact that people between ages 20 to 45 years, were reporting with the disease as compared to 50 plus in the west.

Prof Ahmed further mentioned that sedentary lifestyle, lack of physical exertion and unhealthy eating habits were playing havoc in our part of the world.

With regard to measures adopted by the PCS, he said the society realising its responsibility as a professional body had organised a series of workshops and training programmes for cardiologists across the country coupled with regular refresher courses for general physicians even in the remotest parts of country.

According to him no less than 25 such programmes were held in 2004. A senior cardiologist of the country Prof Abdul Samad has expressed his deep concern regarding deteriorating educational and training standards in the public sector institutions.

Prof Samad said efforts were required to contain both primary and secondary risk factors of the disease. He observed that steps to ensure prevention of the disease required modifying the rampant trend to consider intake of fat, salt and sugar.

The cardiologist also dispelled the myth that risk factors identified in context of the western countries were not relevant to South Asian people who were genetically different.

He also highlighted the importance of regular training programmes for local physician. Senior physician, Prof Abdul Rab, the chief guest on the occasion urged the physicians to realise their responsibilities towards the masses. He highlighted the importance of communication.

Prof Rab also referred to the growing bifurcation in the society on the basis of haves and have-nots. President of Pakistan Cardiac Society Prof Karamat Ali Shah and Coordinator of the Programme Dr Dad Jan Baloch. Prof Abdul Rasheed also spoke.—APP