40% women die during childbirth with IDA, JSMU Seminar 

KARACHI: Continuous Medical Education (CME) of Jinnah Sindh Medical University (JSMU) organised an informative seminar, titled "Management of Iron Deficiency Anemia" (IDA). The guest speaker Professor Dr Tazeen Abbas, JSMU Alumna, Secretary General of SOGP, pointed out that almost 80% of pregnant women who visit government hospitals are anemic. 

 She said that some of them were found to be severely anemic which was a life-threatening situation for the said women and their unborn children. Also, 40% of severely anemic women die during childbirth, she added. 

"The main causes of anemia include dietary habits, low diet-availability, poverty, pica, worm infestation, frequent pregnancies, multiple pregnancies and chronic malaria", she explained.    

Prof Tazeen went on to add that anemia is not limited to women only as it can affect people of any age, including children, young people and men. She advised people to immediately consult the doctors in case of continuous tiredness, shortness of breath, and weakness. 

Prof Amjad Siraj Memon, Vice-Chancellor of Jinnah Sindh Medical University also noted that more than 2 billion people around the world are suffering from anemia, which is equal to 30% of the world's total population approximately. "People suffering from anemia can return to a healthy life by taking care of their health and following the instructions of doctors", he added. 

Dr Rahat Naz, Additional Director of CME, highlighted that the rate of anemia among women in cities is slightly better than in villages. "All the women who came to the JSMU Medical and Relief Camp organized by Jinnah Sindh Medical University in Mithi and other villages of Sindh were found to be deficient in blood and essential vitamins and they were provided with free medicines by Jinnah Sindh Medical University", she added. 

At the end of the seminar, the Additional Director CME thanked the guest speaker and presented her with a certificate.  

Dr Mohammad Khan, Director IPTR , Prof Dr Hafeez Kalhoro, Assistant Professor Dr Suresh Kumar, Dr Zareen, Dr Fahad, Dr Adiba Jafar, Dr Nida Waheed, Dr Mehwish Khan, Dr Barirah Usman, Sumeeta Gill and other faculty members were in attendance too and students of MBBS, Pharmacy, Nursing, Medical Technology, DPT and other departments participated in large numbers and found the seminar very informative. 

Wajid Warsi and Muhammad Murtaza ul Haq served as support staff in the seminar organized with the assistance of Martin Dow.