"The most common health hazard is the continuing problem of infections due to poor quality of water. A lot of the water supplied to

cities and rural areas is contaminated. It may contain harmful chemicals and may also spread infections such as typhoid, cholera, hepatitis A and E, and gastroenteritis," said Dr. Riaz Qureshi, Professor and Chairman of the Family Medicine Department at Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH). Dr. Qureshi made these observations while giving a presentation on "Lifestyle for Healthy Mind and Body" at "Signs, Symptoms and Care", a monthly public health awareness programme, on June 5, 2004, in Karachi. There is a great need of public awareness and government action to overcome the problems posed by dirty water, observed Dr. Qureshi.

AKUH's health awareness programmes started in 1993 with the objective of increasing awareness of early diagnosis and timely treatment of diseases. So far over 160 programmes have been organized in Karachi, Hyderabad, Dubai and Abu Dhabi that have been attended by over 33,000 people.

In the programme, Dr. Qureshi discussed increasing prevalence of chronic diseases like diabetes, hypertension, raised cholesterol levels and heart problems, adding that "increasing indulgence in fast food, soft drinks, late night wedding dinners and lack of excercise" only makes matters worse. On the subject of road safety, he maintained, "poor driving and absence of pavementsare the major causes of accidents involving pedestrians. Failure to use seat belts adds to the problem." Dr. Qureshi also pointed out that stress in day-to-day living is one of the major causes of poor health.

(L to R): Dr. Riaz Qureshi, Professor and Chair, Department of the Family Medicine, AKU; Dr. Raheem Dhanani; Assistant Professor, Department of the Family Medicine, AKU; Dr. Firdous Jehan, Senior Instructor, Department of the Family Medicine, AKU; Dr. Marie Andrades, Assistant Professor, Department of the Family Medicine, AKU and Dr. Waris Qidwai, Associate Professor, Department of the Family Medicine, AKU

The vast majority of such health problems can be solved by a united effort by the general public, the government and medical professionals. Legislation introducing seat belts will save lives, as has been the experience in many countries. Similarly, official steps to prevent and discourage smoking are bound to improve the nation's health. "More training sites for Family Physicians will go a long way in controlling and solving the health problems facing the country," concluded Dr. Qureshi. He also demonstrated a relaxation technique, which the seminar participants were advised to practice to reduce stress in their daily lives.

The speaker and the panelists, which included Dr. Waris Qidwai, Dr. Raheem Dhanani, Dr. Firdous Jehan and Dr. Marie Andrades, participated in the question-and-answer session at the end of the programme.

Over 70 per cent of patients come from low- to middle-income areas. Since the inception of the Hospital's Patient Welfare Programme in 1986, Rs. 1.05 billion has been spent benefiting 203,000 needy patients. In addition, "The Patients Behbud Society for AKUH disburses Zakat contributions to the disadvantaged.