LAHORE – Like other parts of the globe, the World Heart Day was observed across the country, including the City, on Saturday with the aim of raising public awareness about cardiovascular diseases and precautionary measures to reduce the risk factors.
The theme of the World Heart Day this year was ‘One World, One Home, One Heart’. Cardiovascular diseases are the world’s largest killers, claiming 17.5 million lives a year, according to the World Health Organization.
The risk factors for heart disease and stroke include high blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose levels; smoking; inadequate intake of fruit and vegetables; and overweight, obesity and physical inactivity.
Like other cities, seminars, walks and free camps were organised by various institutions in Lahore to raise public awareness about the benefits of a healthy heart in the body and precautionary measures to achieve this objective.
The Sharif Medical City Hospital and Dental College arranged an awareness walk and a free medical camp to mark the day. The walk began from Sharif Medical Hospital and ended at the Sharif Medical Centre after passing through Adda Plot.
Heart surgeon Prof Mazhar-ur-Rehman led the walk, which was also participated by Dr Ijaz Chandio, Dr Kashif Ahmed, Prof Khalil Rana, Prof Abdul Waheed, students of the college, relatives of the patients and people from various walks of life. The participants were carrying banners and placards inscribed with benefits of a healthy heart and necessary precautionary measures to lead a healthy life.
Addressing the participants, Prof Rehman said thousands of heart patients were getting timely and effective treatment at the centre established by the late Mian Muhammad Sharif. “As many as 8,000 students are studying in the medical college, and they would eventually serve the ailing humanity in every nook and corner of the country.”
A free medical camp was also set up for heart check-up in which 50 per cent special discount was extended for ECG and blood test, besides special concession on angiography, angioplasty and heart by-pass. Prof Mazhar-ur-Rehman, Dr Ijaz Chandio and Dr Kashif Ahmed examined the patients in the medical camp. The patients were also extended free-of-cost facility of cholesterol and blood sugar tests on the occasion.
Similarly, Shalamar Hospital arranged a medical camp at the Outpatient Department-I where patients were facilitated by weight and blood pressure checkups; BMI tests; and free blood sugar, cholesterol and ECG tests. Moreover, free consultation was provided to the general public.
Awareness literature and free medicines were also provided to the patients in the camp. People were also given awareness about how to control the heart disease. Chief Guest General (r) Prof Afzal Najeeb and Medical Director Dr Waqar Saleem Farooqi visited the camp, and lauded the public interest and involvement of pharmaceuticals.
The World Heart Federation started observing World Heart Day in 2000 to remind people of the enormity of the problem and of ways to prevent cardiovascular disease-related deaths.