KARACHI: Pakistan Network of Liver and Gastroenterology (PNLG) has been launched to hold public awareness sessions throughout Pakistan, and also to train the general practitioners and young doctors for treatment of gastrointestinal and liver diseases effectively in future.
This was announced by eminent gastroenterologists from different public and private hospitals during the launching ceremony of PNLG in a media briefing held at Karachi Press Club.
The PNLG body was a body comprising top gastroenterologists from different public and private hospitals in Karachi.
PNLG Coordinator Prof Dr Shahid Ahmed, after unveiling the PNLG website, said that through the website common people and young doctors could freely approach senior gastroenterologists in Karachi and learn about various health conditions and seek guidance in their training and management.
Renowned Gastroenterologists from various leading hospitals, including Dr Zahid Azam, Dr Hafeezullah Shaikh, Dr Sajjad Jamil, Dr Lubna Kamani, Dr Shahid Mahmood, Dr Nazish Butt, Dr Mukesh Kumar and several other were also present.
Prof Shahid feared the increase of gastrointestinal diseases in Ramazan as the holy month is falling in hot weather and advised the people to avoid over-eating, prefer homemade food and avoid roadside drinks, pakoras and samosas which are the major cause of diarrhoea and gastroenteritis.
Relating the creation of PNLG with World Digestive Disease Day, which would be observed on May 29 all over the world, they said that stomach and intestinal diseases were on the rise in Pakistan, especially among women, but they were reluctant in approaching male gastroenterologists.
He said that aim and objective of this network is to enhance understanding of common people regarding stomach and intestinal diseases, their symptoms, improve available treatment options and precautions that can prevent them from various preventable diseases.
Dr Lubna Kamani said that there were five to six qualified female gastroenterologists in Karachi and due to their extreme shortage; female patients were reluctant to approach male doctors and often end up in developing cancers of colon or intestines.
She said that their network would also train young female doctors in Karachi and rest of the province so that problems of 52 percent female population could be addressed and they could get a quality treatment near to their abodes.
On the occasion, PNLG members cut a cake at Karachi Press Club (KPC) to formally launch their forum and vowed to hold public awareness and training sessions at KPC and other public places to enhance public awareness regarding gastrointestinal diseases and issues.
