KARACHI, Feb 25: Various diseases posing a threat to public health were discussed by experts at the third annual symposium currently under way at the Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS).

In Sunday’s session, Prof Khalid Mehmood presented his paper on Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever, warning that the disease might resurface and spread across the country, particularly Karachi, any time. He stressed the need for anti-mosquitoes spray to be carried out to prevent breeding of the mosquitoes responsible for causing the viral infection.

He said that a patient having contracted the disease must be taken to a hospital immediately after showing the already revealed symptoms as any delay could complicate the problem and might lead to the patient’s death.

“The mortality rate in Dengue patients may rise up to 20 per cent if immediate treatment is not ensured,” he said, adding that by ensuring timely and proper treatment, the rate could be brought as down as one per cent.

Prof Zaman Sheikh, in his paper on hormones deficiency, said the problem that causes sexual and physical weakness in male patients, appeared to be common in Pakistan. The weakness is evident in most case as the patient loses blood and energy. He said the disease was curable of hormones therapy methods were applied, indicating that the facility was available at the National Institute of Diabetic and Endocrinology.

Dr H. L. Mahishwary spoke about the low height in children, observing that the problem prevailed in Pakistan and the United States.

Dr Ishaq Sarhandi presented his paper on psychological problems. He said that female physicians should be well aware of such problems. Not only madness is a psychological problem, there are many diseases regarded as psychological disorder and classified in three categories. Such problems are estimated to show a rise by 2020 as compared to the other diseases, according to the expert.

Dr Kerein Salama from France apprised the moot of the harms of smoking, and stressed on a strict ban on smoking at all public places.

Dr Nawal Salahuddin, Dr Nisar Rao, Prof Suhail Akhtar and Dr Sheerin Khan discussed TB, and said the disease could be cured within eight months anywhere in the world.

Prof Fatima Shad, Dr Iqbal Afridi, Dr Muneer Humairani, Dr Raza, , Prof Abdul Jabbar, Prof Ghaffar, Prof MusarratHussain also presented their papers on neurology, neuro-surgery, heart diseases, etc.—PPI