“Disease Pattern Reflects The Living Style Of a Community”, Says Prof Dr Sajjad Hussain Principal NSMC in a Seminar On “Elimination of Dengue”

Disease pattern prevalent in a community is an index of lifestyle and habits of that community. Extreme poverty prevailing in our dear country has disorientated and dehumanized large sections of our society. It is badly mauling the quality of life of our people. Most of the people can ill afford proper diet. Living conditions lack basic hygienics. Lopsided development of our cities has created slum like conditions for the working people migrated to cities for job opportunities. Our prophet Muhammad (PBUH) had disliked the way-ward haphazard expansion of cities. Cities should be kept within manageable limits and must keep apart with at least a distance of 15 to 20km in between. Almost 1400 years ago he had visualized an excellent modern vision of a humanized urbanization. If we keep such golden humanitarian principles before us we can develop proper eco-culture among our populace and provide them a proximity to nature the alpha and omega of human growth and development.

These ideas were expressed by Dr Sajjad Hussain Principal Nawaz Shareef Medical College (NSMC) while addressing ‘Elimination of Dengue’ conference at Aziz Bhatti Shaheed Hospital (ABSH). This conference was organized jointly by gender reform Action Plan (GRAP), ABSH, public Health committee, under the leadership of NSMC of the UOG, with its broader campaign against Dengue. Dr Sajjad reported that the campaign against Dengue is in full operation at the behest of the Chief Minister under the leadership of Prof Dr Mohammad Nizamuddin VC, UOG.

The campaign is gearing momentum and achieving its objectives in mobilizing people’s awareness of Dengue and other communicable diseases. In this context Dr Nizamuddin has already initiated a research in Bio-Chemistry Department under HOD Dr Sajid Mahmood in collaboration with a USA research organization, to root out Dengue for good and create a vaccine for its protection. The UOG research will share its results with and all and Sunday and play a major role in fighting against this monstrous disease and eliminating it. Dr Syed TalatIqbal was the stage secretary who inspiringly conducted the proceedings. Dr Nazeer Butt NSMC, Dr Chaudhary Abid Nazeer visiting surgeon ABSH Teaching Hospital, Madam. Qaria Parveen Principal UOG Railway Road College, Dr Afzal Chaudhary Assistant Professor NSMC, Dr Wajid Hussain DHO Gujrat, Dr Nadeem Deputy DHO Gujrat dwelled in great detail about the signs and symptoms, clinical course, virology, predisposition, transmission, diagnosis, classification, lab tests, management, prevention epidemiology, history  and research about the disease. Dr Tahir Naveed MS ABSH presented a detailed report about the preparations having been made to treat Dengue patients.

A 20 bed ward with 5 bed intensive care unit (ICU) has been structured. Medicines, disposables and other necessary equipment have been provided.  Physicians are available round the clock. He requested all and Sundry to bring Dengue patients if any for treatment. Last year ABSH successfully recovered 240 Dengue patients. A large numberof faculty, doctors, college teachers including principals, government servants and students attended the seminar. Banners were displayed all around. Literature on prevention of Dengue was distributed among the participants. Soon after the seminar a Dengue walk was made, holding banners, under the leadership of Dr Sajjad Hussain and Dr Tahir Naveed, in which a large number of people participated.