Dow International Medical College Principal Prof Zeba Haque has said that there is a need to form a committee at the national level to formulate guidelines on the lines of the American Heart Association (AHA).
Mortality rate has been reduced in most of the world by following the AHA guidelines Prof Zeba said adding that proposal has been prepared by Dow University of Health Sciences for framing Pakistani guidelines.
She said this while addressing a seminar titled Endocarditis-Prophylaxis-A Holistic Review organised by Dow Institute of Cardiology in collaboration with Professional Development Centre at AQ Khan Auditorium Dow International Medical College (DIMC) Ojha Campus.
Addressing the seminar, Dr Zeba Haq said that there is a need to be careful in the use of antibiotic drugs and legislation should be enacted to prevent their unnecessary and frequent misuse.
Turkish-born implants expert, who came from the Netherlands, Dr Taner Yildiz, said that five million people lost their lives in 2019 due to the misuse of the antibiotic drugs. This is an international problem, however the Netherlands has strict guidelines for the use of antibiotics, which are updated periodically.
He told a surprised audience that antibiotics are not used in minor procedures and surgeries.
Assistant Professor of Cardiology Dr Mohammad Hashim Nadeem said that due to unnecessary and abundant use, the efficacy of drugs is decreasing. He further said that due to the resistance and risks of antibiotic drugs, their use should be minimised.
Indus Hospital Infectious Diseases Consultant Dr Shamim Bahram said in his address that the germs should be detected by doing a better diagnosis of the patients, after which the medicine should be prescribed accordingly.
Addressing the seminar, Dr Anwar Ali said that there is a regular system of drug resistance in germs. Unnecessary use of these drugs strengthens this resistance. He said that guidelines should be formed in Pakistan on the pattern of American Heart Association.
Dr Tariq Farman said that a complete draft of the guidelines is ready which can be submitted after approval. He said that earlier there was a perception that endocarditis spread from instruments during dental treatment. After caution, people have now understood, but one of the reasons for this disease is the frequent misuse of antibiotics.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 4th, 2023.
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