Lahore: Free liver scans and specialised services for obesity and diabetes management have been launched at “Aap Ka Clinic” in Lahore, offering advanced care to underprivileged patients amid growing concerns over the increasing burden of metabolic diseases in Pakistan.
The initiative, established through a collaboration between Getz Pharma, Al-Rafi Foundation and the Pakistan Society of Internal Medicine (PSIM), aims to provide free Fibroscan/LISA liver assessments and access to modern treatment for obesity and diabetes, conditions that experts say are reaching epidemic proportions in the country.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Getz Pharma Executive Chairman Khalid Mahmood announced that the company would provide expensive anti-obesity medicines free of cost to deserving patients. He said the clinic had been equipped with modern facilities but stressed that Pakistan needed to substantially increase investment in healthcare.
Former health minister Prof Javed Akram warned that obesity and diabetes were spreading rapidly in Pakistan and noted that obesity was associated with at least 13 major diseases, including several forms of cancer. He said early diagnosis and access to effective treatment were essential to reducing the burden of non-communicable diseases.
Medical experts attending the ceremony discussed advances in the management of diabetes and obesity and highlighted the importance of timely detection of fatty liver disease. They said Fibroscan and LISA technologies, which are usually costly in the private sector, would now be available free of charge to needy patients through the initiative.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by former health minister Prof Javed Akram, Prof Shehla Javed Akram, Prof Aftab Mohsin, Prof Azizur Rehman, Dr Abbas Raza, Prof Jamshed Taj, Prof Muhammad Imran, Prof Ejaz Mand, Prof Sadaqat Ali Khan and Dr Ashraf Nizami, among other physicians and specialists.