Increasing rate of kidney diseases in Pakistan is a matter of grave concern: Prof. Alfreed Zafar
LAHORE, Dec 19 (SABAH): Post Graduate Medical Institute Principal Prof. Dr. Sardar Muhammad Al-Freed Zafar has said that the increasing rate of kidney diseases in Pakistan is a matter of grave concern in which thousands of precious lives are lost every year due to kidney failures. He added that there is a need for timely diagnosis, appropriate treatment and awareness among the masses in this regard.
He expressed these views while inspecting the state-of-the-art Dialysis Center at Lahore General Hospital. Prof. of Urology Dr. Khizar Hayat Gondal, MS Dr. Amir Ghafoor Mufti, HoD Nephrology Dr. Yasir Hussain, Dr. Shah Jahan, Dr. Abdul Aziz, Ashk Naz and others were also present. Prof. Al-freed Zafar said that medical experts need to focus on effective strategies and medical research for prevention of kidney disease as dialysis is not a permanent cure for such patients and increasing number of dialysis patients also decrease the resources. Prof. Khizar Hayat Gondal while briefing the Principal said that since January 2021 till now more than 17,000 dialysis have been done free of cost in LGH for which Punjab Government provides Rs 3.92 crore while 36 machines are working for dialysis of the patients further more separate dialysis machines have been set up for patients with hepatitis and infection diseases so that other patients are not affected. He stated that on an average 60 to 70 dialysis are performed daily in LGH while the number of dialysis patients is increasing day by day.
Prof. Al-freed Zafar said that the great quality of the LGH Dialysis Department and the unique example of humanitarian services is that during the Corona outbreak, work was stopped in various departments of the hospitals but LGH’s dialysis unit was working as usual and provided this facility to save human lives. Talking to the media, Principal PGMI said that the permanent treatment of such patients is kidney transplantation for which it is necessary to promote the culture of organ donation as well as create awareness among the citizen so that they can voluntarily donate kidneys to their loved ones suffering from this disease without any fear. He mentioned that kidney specialists have also made it clear that a person can lead a normal life even with a single kidney, so there is no risk to the life of a person who donates a kidney to needy patients.
MS Dr. Amir Ghafoor Mufti said that in the private sector a dialysis costs Rs. 3,000 to 4,000 while as per directions of CM Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar and Health Minister Dr. Yasmeen Rashid dialysis are being performed without any charges here in General Hospital. Principal PGMI and MS LGH Dr. Amir Ghafoor Mufti inquired about the well being of the patients undergoing dialysis who were satisfied with the provision of free medical facilities and praised the performance of the doctors and nurses. Prof. Al-freed also announced the awarding of appreciation certificates to the doctors, nurses and paramedics who performing their duties in the dialysis department of Lahore General Hospital.