ISLAMABAD: While whitening creams and injections are used across the globe, these have potential side effects like skin damage and organ problems.

This was stated by consultant dermatologist Dr Rubia Usman at an event held at Maroof Int’l Hospital in connection with the International Women Day.

Citing statistics from various countries, she said the percentage of individuals using whitening creams was alarmingly high such as 75pc women used whitening cream in Nigeria, 60pc in Senegal, 50pc in Mali, 40pc in South Korea, 61pc in Malaysia, 43pc in Saudi Arabia and 60pc in Jordan.

Dr Usman cautioned against the use of whitening creams and injections due to safety concerns, potential side effects like skin damage and organ problems and perpetuation of harmful beauty standards. She urged individuals to prioritise overall skin health through safe skincare practices, advising consultation with dermatologists for concerns about skin tone.

Chief guest Naseer Ahmed suggested women to take care of their health because only that was how they would be able to take care of all family members.

Consultant cardiologist Dr Tahira Sadiq highlighted the alarming statistics of cardiovascular disease being the leading cause of death globally with one out of three women succumbing to heart diseases. She emphasised the significant risk factors with 20 per cent of women developing diabetes and hypertension during pregnancy, predisposing them to cardiovascular diseases later in life.

Head of the psychiatry department Dr Rashid Khan emphasised the significance of mental health in women’s overall well-being.

“Common mental health issues faced by women are stress, anxiety and depression and they should seek professional help when needed. Women should prioritise self-care activities such as mindfulness, relaxation techniques and maintaining social connections to nurture their mental health,” he said.

Internal medicine and geriatric specialist Dr Aliya Babar Hameed emphasised the pivotal role men play in empowering women and provided tips to support this cause.

She advocated for women’s holistic health, stressing the importance of regular exercise, balanced diet and annual screenings for common diseases like diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and specific conditions such as breast and cervical cancer. Nutritionist Nida Ashraf provided insights into balanced diets, particularly in the context of intermittent fasting.

She emphasised the importance of consuming a well-balanced diet, including whole grains, lean proteins, fruits and vegetables, during eating windows in intermittent fasting schedules. She advised avoiding deep-fried foods and reducing portion sizes to maintain overall health and weight management.

IMDC organises eco-hike

Meanwhile, Islamabad Medical and Dental College (IMDC) organised an eco-hike with the theme of “Healing earth” at Trail 3 in Margalla Hills. The hiking event also included tree plantation.

Around 800 medical, dental, physical therapy, allied health sciences and nursing students and faculty members participated in the hiking.

Yasir Khan Niazi, the IMDC chief executive officer, said that such endeavours stood as integral components of the college’s ongoing mission to foster a vibrant atmosphere promoting both mental and physical well-being among its students.

Imran Ali Ghouri, head of communications, told media that the college management wanted to promote awareness regarding healthy lifestyles within students, staff and the whole society.

Published in Dawn, March 10th, 2024