World Osteoporosis & Osteoarthritis Day observed at Dow University

Karachi: The World Osteoporosis & Osteoarthritis Day is observed to mark the launch of a year-long campaign dedicated to raising global awareness of prevention, diagnosis and treatment of Osteoporosis and Arthritis.

Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS), in collaboration with Pakistan Orthopedic Association (POA) and Pakistan Society for Rheumatology (PSR) celebrated World Osteoporosis & Osteoarthritis Day 2014 by organizing an awareness walk, public awareness seminar and free medical camps at the Dow University Ojha Campus on Thursday.

The aim of celebration was to raise awareness among doctors and general public about the management, treatment and prevention strategies of Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis.

The celebration started with an awareness walk led by Vice Chancellor, Dow University Prof Masood Hameed Khan, along with Principal Dow Medical College, Prof Dr M. Masroor, senior faculty members, and paramedical staff. Participants of the walk carried banners inscribed with slogans to create awareness about osteoporosis & arthritis.

At the public awareness seminar, Prof Masood Hameed Khan stressed on the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. He further added that provision of better service to the community is a part of the DUHS mission, and in the future efforts will be made to organize similar seminars so as to convey the message directly to the masses.

President, Pakistan Orthopaedic Association, Prof Dr Pervaiz Anjum, said that the prevalence of osteoporosis continues to rise in elderly population of our country. The condition rarely presents symptoms till a fracture takes place.  Most of these fractures occur in hip, spine and wrist, and nearly 80% of women suffer from osteoporosis.

Senior consultants including Prof Dr Ahmed Iqbal Mirza, Secretary, Pakistan Society for Rheumatology, Dr Khaleeq Ahmed Siddiqui of Isra University, Dr Nusrat Hameed of DUHS also spoke during the seminar on the prevention strategies of Osteoporosis and Arthritis.