Health experts have urged doctors and medical colleges to get themselves more involved to outreach the underprivileged community.

They said that efforts could be made to expand the outreach of hospitals by initiating various health programmes. They were speaking on the first day of the 45th annual symposium of the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) entitled “health for the underprivileged”, on Monday.

Prof. Saleh Memon said that around 15,000 patients visit the out patient department (OPD) of the JPMC on a daily basis, but, he added, 10,000 patients could be treated in their respective areas by expanding hospitals’ outreach activities. He lamented that lack of human resource was a major hurdle for its implementation.

Dr Memon said that the annual Rs30 billion health budget of the country was not enough even to treat a single disease, as according to him, there were over five million diabetic patients, whose treatment averagely costs Rs1,000 to Rs1,500 per month, bringing the accumulative cost all the patients to over Rs90 billion.

He warned that if hospital failed to launch community outreach programmes, one day the underprivileged people (7 million in Karachi) might attack hospitals. “Either we have to reach the community or close the hospitals,” Dr Memon said.

He said that in this regard, Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) could help bear the treatment cost, as international NGOs were eager to help. He said that focus should be given on primary health care.

Jurist Nasir Aslam Zahid said that for the poor, diseases have become a routine matter.

He said that the Constitution has clearly states that provision of basic health facilities was the responsibility of the State. He said the people have given mandate to new political leadership with a hope for the resolution of their lingering problems and warned if they failed to address the basic issues within six months, people would rise against them.

He said that improvement in the existing system including healthcare, poverty and population could be brought only through education.

Surgeon Badar Siddiqui said that so far 23 major commissions on health reforms were formed but all in vain. He said funds and good governance were needed to improve overall health situation.

Prof. Mehtab S Karim said that high infant mortality rate was indication of poor health and economy and added that the high population growth has a direct impact on health. He said around 89,000 induced abortions take place each year in the country, which was indicative of lack of awareness about use of contraceptives.

Prof Riaz Qureshi stressed the need for training of general physicians.

Prof. Dr Affan Seljuq said Dua (prayer) increases immunity level among the patients.

Dr Maqbool H Jafary said that doctor’s communication with patients has a diagnostic value and it also satisfies the patient about the treatment.

Dr Kaiser Waheed proposed that dependence on generic medicines would be a first step towards developing original medicines. He said it would also increase local research, reduce price of drugs and create employment opportunities.

Chairman symposium committee Prof. Dr Musarrat Hussain said that only public sector hospitals were capable of carrying the theme (health for under-privileged) forward because private sector hospitals were minting money.

He said that health was directly linked with clean water and environment. He said most of the medical students after completion of their studies prefer to serve in cities or in private sector, which benefit only the rich class.

Economist Kaiser Bengali said that around 25 per cent of the Karachi population was living below the poverty line.

Prof Naeem A. Jafarey, executive director JPMC Prof. Rashid Jooma, Dr. Syed Waqar Ahmed and others also spoke.