KARACHI, Sept 29: The provincial minister for women development, Dr Saeeda Malik, has emphasized the significance of advocacy to the masses for taking safety steps against lethal diseases.

The minister was speaking at the inauguration of free medical camp, which was organized jointly by Dr Essa Laboratory and Diagnostic Centre and South City Hospital here at Clifton on Monday.

Highlighting the importance of such camps, the minister said that the medical camps gave free services to people at their doors. She said that the practice should be continued for the welfare of needy patients.

Dr Malik said that the government alone could not afford to provide free medical services to the masses. In this regard, she added that the credit went to non-governmental organization to relieve government by organizing such free medical camps.

Dr Raheem-ul-Haq of the South City Hospital pointed out that an overwhelming majority of people was facing financial hardship and they could not afford purchasing antibiotics and conducting required tests. He said that holding free camps would go a long way mitigating their miseries.

He also praised doctors for helping the ailing humanity despite the lack of required facilities and said that their selfless efforts would motivate others to tread the same course of action.

Dr Aziz Tank of Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) said that the health problems being faced by a large segment of population would not be solved unless people did not develop perception about the importance of precautionary steps.

Head of Dr Essa Laboratory, Dr Farhan Essa, said that around 4,800 poor and deserving people were provided medical help free of cost, which also included bone scanning and dental treatment facilities. Besides, a large number of patients were provided free medicines for eye, nose, throat, ear and other problems.—PPI