Minister Sardar Ahmed draws attention for educating patients and families on treatment and care
Syed Sardar Ahmed, Senior Provincial Minister for Health and Coordination identified that patient family education is a neglected field in Pakistan and allocating more attention to public awareness will contribute towards making disease management easier. He was addressing the Patient and Family Education and Patient's Rights programme at Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH).
The Minister appreciated Aga Khan University 's (AKU) role in improving standards of health care in the country and lauded the integrated approach of training nurses and physicians to provide complete health care facilities to the people. He said that there is no shortage of resources in the country but people lack dedicated mindset to facilitate necessary development and steady progress.
Fatima Surayya Bajiya, Advisor to Governor of Sindh, was the Guest of Honour. Family physician Dr Firdous Jahan welcomed the guests, while Dr Khurshid Khowaja, Director Nursing Services, AKUH presented an overview of the programme. The programme helped to increase awareness on Patient and Family Education and their Rights at AKUH.
The Hospital follows globally standardised procedures to deliver high quality health care to patients which include ensuring that patients and their families are informed of their rights and educated on their health. Quiz competitions, posters and brochures drew attention to the importance of rights of patients and their families.
At AKUH, patient's educational needs are assessed first and educational method is selected on the basis of patient and family values and preferences. Then they are informed of their rights regarding their protection, privacy, pain management, organ donation confidentiality, consent before surgery, anaesthesia and research, as well as ethical management. AKUH encourages and supports patient and family participation in care decisions and processes.
Health awareness programme included discussions by leading physicians on health promotion and disease prevention that could reduce the burden on health care system in Pakistan .
Highlighting the risk factors and their management in cardio-vascular disease, AKU Cardiologist Dr Fateh Ali Tipoo stressed that high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, high cholesterol and obesity are the main factors causing heart disease. Therefore, the focus needs to be on these diseases for prevention and reduction of heart disease.
Paediatrician Dr Kishwar Enam discussed common childhood infections and the importance of vaccination in childhood as well as preventive aspects of infection. Dr Mughis Sheerani, Consultant Neurologist, AKU discussed the management of stroke and shared details of stroke rehabilitation programme available at the Hospital. Dr Naheed Nabi, Consultant Family Physician, AKU presented the pressing issue of weight management in adults. She provided information on balanced diet and weight reducing techniques through diet, exercise and behavioural modification. The panel of consultants included Dr Firdous Jahan, Family Physician and and Dr Fauzia Nawaz, Consultant Gynaecologist.
AKUH is among the very few teaching hospitals in the world to be both ISO certified and accredited by JCIA, an international body based in the United States to evaluate health care organisations in order to stimulate improvement in standards of health care. As part of its social responsibility and commitment to the advancement of health research and education, AKU regularly holds seminars, symposiums and events to raise awareness on health and education related issues which are of national importance.For further information, please contact:
- Rasool Sarang, Sr Media Executive, at 486 3920;
- Sagheer Ahmed, Sr Media Executive, at 486 2931; or
- Hassaan Akhter, Media Executive, at 486 2927
Department of Public Affairs
Aga Khan University
Stadium Road,
P.O. Box 3500, Karachi-74000.
Fax: (92 21) 493 4294, 493 2095
www.aku.edu
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