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Doctors asked to

cure patients

thru attitude

PESHAWAR: The NWFP Governor Lt. Gen. Mohammad Shafiq (Retd) has said that the doctors community could cure the patients through their attitude as they consider doctors as their "Maseeha" and as such great responsibility devolved on them.

He was addressing the inaugural function of 16th International Congress of Pakistan Society of Gastroenterology here on Friday. He said, "we are all human beings and as human beings all of us have equal rights irrespective of race, colour, sex and financial status" adding, "that is why patients come for treatment with a lot of expectations." The governor emphasised that they should be more skilled in "treating patients" and not in creating disease only.

The governor, however, called upon the doctors to stress more on the preventive aspects of various diseases adding that necessary steps need to be highlighted to create awareness amongst the general public to avoid reuse of syringes to control the deadly virus of Hepatitis B and C in this regard.

He assured that the possibility of inclusion of Hepatitis-B in the EPI programme would be locked into but this needs to be done at national level as well, he added.

Referring to their demand for pre-treatment work on Hepatitis patients, the governor said that this facility should have been provided much earlier. He, however directed the health department to immediately form a committee to consider the possibility of incorporating this in the budget of next financial year. He further directed the health and information departments to highlight preventive aspects as most of the disease are preventable by simple measures of personal hygiene, he remarked.

The governor advised the doctors to follow the teachings of Islam while treating patients and be kind to the people which is the basic teaching of our religion.

He however emphasised the need for making best use of the available resources and to make concerted efforts to gain much more within the available funds. He called upon the doctors and the relevant staff to make efficient use of electronic and medical equipments and ambulances and other facilities to get the nation out of the slum. He directed to work out a plan through EPI especially for this province to get rid of this disease. The governor said that the number of tax payers is very less and we have to make best use of the available resources. He assured full support and cooperation in resolving these problems and creating a safe environment.

Earlier, Prof. Dr. Najib-ul-Haq, Chairman, Organising Committee of Pakistan Society of Gastroenterology, NWFP, presented an address of welcome and thanked the governor for gracing the occasion.

Dr. Aslam Baloch, President, Pakistan Society of Gastroenterology, and Dr. Naheed Sultan also address and highlighted the importance of International Congress of Gastroenterology and GI Endoscopy.

A large number of renowned doctors attended the congress.

Later the governor went round various stalls. The stalls were furnished and decorated having knowledgeable literature about the medicines and diseases for creating awareness amongst the general public.ÑAPP