KARACHI – Majority of residents of the new Sabzi Mandi area are suffering from tuberculosis, skin infections, worm infestation, diarrhoea and anaemia.
Doctors discovered this at one of the health camps set up by the Aga Khan University (AKU) in different parts of the city for conducting free medical checkups.
More than 2,000 people, majority of whom were women and children, were given free medical checkups and advice at health camps setup in Karimabad, Federal B Area; Bilal Colony, Korangi; Sultanabad; and the new Sabzi Mandi area.
More than 200 graduates of AKU, School of Nursing, Institute for Educational Development, and Postgraduate Medical Education, as well as 100 nursing students were present at these camps as a part of the graduates’ annual reunion programme.
Located in various health hot spots of the city, where the AKU has been conducting community service through the Aga Khan Health Service, Pakistan, the health camps provided information about basic hygiene and protection from infectious diseases, such as malaria, dengue and pneumonia.
The visitors were also offered free screening for blood pressure, weight, body mass index, blood glucose level and anaemia.
A mental health counsellor was also present to screen the visitors for depression and offer advice on stress management.
The AKU alumni referred the patients with serious conditions to the nearest health centres.
