Quackery seen as major threat

Doctors call for better emergency and disaster management.

LAHORE:

Medical Experts believe that despite media attention, quackery around the country is increasing.

“We have to stop quacks through spreading awareness of the problem,” Dr Khalid Masood Gondal, the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan vice president, said on Saturday. Dr Gondal was addressing a Muslim Medical Mission (MMM) conference on its second day.

The doctors also discussed challenges of working in disaster affected areas. Dr Gondal also said that unethical practices by quacks had to be addressed on priority basis.

Sharing instances of patients treated by quacks, Dr Gondal highlighted the threats they posed. He said major reasons for people seeking treatment from quacks included poverty and lack of awareness.

In disasters and  emergencies

Pakistan Medical Association members discussed the need for better preparedness to handle disasters and emergency situations.

Dr Ashraf Nizami, the PMA Punjab president, said that disaster relief should be extended beyond floods and earthquakes. “The emergency relief is scattered and lacks viability,” he said.

Nizami also said that people in need of treatment at one end of the city should not have to travel to the other end.

All hospitals should be equipped with the latest technology and competent staff, he said. He also purposed use of an SMS to inform and educate the masses in situations of emergency and disaster.

Dr Zubair Shaheen, professor of pulmonology at the Nishtar Medical College, Multan, expressed dissatisfaction with government’s disaster management strategy at district level.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 18^th,  2011.