Heart issues, other disorders can't be solved without ban on soft drinks

KARACHI: Eminent Cardiologists said heart disease, diabetes and obesity cannot be controlled without a ban on advertisements for soft drinks, cigarettes, and other unhealthy products made from large quantities of sugar.  

With the construction of residential and commercial buildings on welfare plots in Karachi, the opportunities for playing, jumping, and doing physical exercises have almost disappeared.  

He expressed these views on the occasion of the inauguration of a new ward of Rehabilitation and Prevention at the Cardiology Department at Civil Hospital Karachi.  

The experts included Prof Dr Ejaz Vohra, Prof Muhammad Ishaq, Prof Khalida Soomro, Prof Mansoor, Prof Nawaz Lashari, Dr Rubina Bashir, Medical Superintendent, Civil Hospital Karachi, Prof Zarnaz Wahid, Prof Saba Sohail, Dr Noor Muhammad Soomro, and others addressed the function. 

Addressing the inaugural function, Prof Ejaz Vohra said that since the introduction of interventions (stent insertion techniques) in the treatment of diseases, other sectors had lagged behind, and there has been a decrease in deaths from heart diseases. He said many memories were associated with Civil Hospital. The best time of life has passed here. Its history should be written.  

He told the participants that the remarkable thing about Civil Hospital is that poor people are treated here.  

Prof Muhammad Ishaq said that the establishment of a new ward is a significant development. It has been working for the cardiology ward in the Civil Hospital since the 1960s. Pictures of Prof.Sharif Chaudhry SM Raza and others should be posted in these wards.  

Prof Mansoor said that deaths from heart disease have been reduced as a result of interventions, bypasses, and medications, but most of the deaths can be controlled by staying physically active. 

 Prof Nawaz Lashari said that efforts are being made Cardiology Department of Civil Hospital Karachi as best treatment center in the city for the patients.  

MS CHK Prof Rubina Bashir said that she is not new to Civil Hospital and vowed will work with a new spirit after becoming Medical Superintendent. Pointing to the women on the stage, she said that the presence of such a large number of women here today is a testament to the fact that women can be the best managers of institutions; they can not only run the house better but also can run the hospitals.

Prof Zarnaz Wahid said that the department of Civil Hospital Cardiology is working in the best possible way under the leadership of Nawaz Lashari.   

At the end of the ceremony, the guests were presented awards, flowers, and shields by Prof. Nawaz Lashari.