"Two-third of the 340 million people suffering from depression world-wide, live in the developing countries. Currently the burden of depression is on fourth place in the world but the depression was likely to be the second most prevalent disease by 2020, surpassed only by cardiovascular diseases."
It was pointed out by Dr Bader Ali, Associate Professor Department of Family medicine, at a seminar held to mark the World Health Day, here on Thursday.
The seminar titled "Family Medicine for all" was organised by the Aga Khan University (AKU) at its auditorium.
She further said that each year 1 million people commit suicide and 80 percent of those suicides are due to depression. One in four people has depression world-wide.
She referred to a prevalence study done in Qayumabad area of Karachi where 30 percent of women were found suffering from depression and every fourth person coming for a consultation was found to be suffering from some kind of depression.
In urban Karachi 42.2 percent of females and 18 percent of males are suffering from depression, other parts of the country also have shocking figures regarding depression.
"One-third of the people around the world are suffering from hypertension. And one in every three Pakistanis is hypertensive. Pakistani children have higher mean blood pressure compared to the rest of the world's children," this was stated by Dr Seema Ameen Mohammad. She is lecturer and consultant family physician at AKU, she informed the audience that every year 7.1 million people die of high blood pressure. But she also pointed out that treating hypertension is associated with 40 percent reduction in the risk of stroke and 15 percent reduction in the risk of Myocardial Infraction.
She further said that by 2010 heart diseases would be the leading cause of death and hypertension will play a lead role in doing so. One-half of the total cardiovascular burden is due to hypertension.
People over 45 years of age are 50 percent suffering from hypertension out of which only 50 percent know that they have hypertension and moreover, only 25 percent are under medical prescription other 25 percent have not been prescribed medicines in accordance.
Hypertension leads to renal disease, diabetes other than cardiovascular diseases. The only way out is to reduce Blood Pressure. Benefits of reduce Blood Pressure include lower risk of stroke and mortality. New research says that there is a linear association between Blood Pressure and hypertension.
People who have higher normal Blood Pressure have higher risk factors of heart diseases. Therefore, adults over 18 years of age must have two visits check up to calculate he/she is hypertensive.
Salt reduction is necessary to lower the Blood Pressure and in this respect a person with hypertension should use only one teaspoon salt in a day. Physical activity are also essential.
Dr Marie Andrades, Assistant Professor and Consultant Family Physician, elaborated upon the well child care programme and stressed upon regular visits to the family physicians to access and monitor the growth and nurturing of the baby.
Dr Raheem Dhanani, Assistant Professor and Consultant Family Physician, spoke about the role of family physicians in occupational health and stressed upon the proper training and education in the field of Family Medicine to improve the state of occupational health in Pakistan.
Professor Riaz Qureshi, Professor, Consultant Family Physician and Chairman Department of Family Medicine at AKU pointed out the hazards to the health of Family Physicians directly or indirectly related to the performance of their jobs. He stressed upon the importance of preventive measures and healthy lifestyles for doctors in order to set examples for the patients.
Earlier, welcoming the attendees he said that the perception of health is of emotional and physical well being rather than mere absence of diseases. The "World Health Day" is observed internationally every year, to discuss newer health issues translating into clinical challenges identified in family practice. This year's theme is "Working together for Health".
Speaking on the theme of "Family Medicine for All" the speakers highlighted the issues and trends likely to affect family practice in Pakistan. The speakers focus on the issues such as: Latest trends in the management of hypertension, Human rights, culture and depression, Well baby care in family practice, Role of family physicians in occupational health, Hazards of medical profession.
It was a great opportunity to update oneself on recent issues of family health. This seminar was in connection to Continuing Medical Education (CME) programme, and was well attended by doctors, nurses, and medical students.
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