Dr Hasanat Sharif is set to chair the Pakistan Cardiac
Society’s scientific council on cardiac surgery.
The associate professor at AKU, who is also a renowned
cardiothoracic surgeon, will lead efforts to raise awareness about the science
behind cardiovascular diseases (CVD) - a prominent public health problem in
Pakistan. During his term, Dr Sharif and his team will highlight the poor
lifestyle habits that cause CVD and also work to make treatment more accessible
for those with advanced cardiac conditions.
“While heart disease is common; it can be avoided,”
said Dr Sharif. “A healthy diet and regular exercise are essential preventive
measures and we need to strive to ensure that everyone has the knowledge to take
charge of their health.”
The scientific council will also develop a set of
comprehensive quality indicators alongside professional regulations to help new
cardiac facilities raise their quality of care. Such measures will ensure that
life-saving surgeries are available outside of renowned private institutions
and busy public hospitals which are unable to cope with the rising burden of
CVDs.
“Patients often opt for treatment at smaller and
sometimes unqualified healthcare centers on cost grounds. Regardless of where
they go, patients must always receive the right guidance so that they opt for
the most suitable and beneficial treatment,” said Dr Sharif who trained in
surgery as a Rhodes scholar at the University of Oxford and Harvard University
prior to joining AKU in August 2000.
Another priority for Dr Sharif is the need to improve
the professional rapport between cardiologists and cardiac surgeons.
“There are approximately 50 cardiologists for every
cardiac surgeon in Pakistan. There needs to be a strong working relationship
between these two sets of specialists as this will immediately result in a
better experience for patients.”
The Pakistan Cardiac Society is a
national body founded in 1966 which is focused on promoting research and
treatment advances in cardiovascular disease.
Dr Hasanat Sharif is set to chair the Pakistan Cardiac
Society’s scientific council on cardiac surgery.
The associate professor at AKU, who is also a renowned
cardiothoracic surgeon, will lead efforts to raise awareness about the science
behind cardiovascular diseases (CVD) - a prominent public health problem in
Pakistan. During his term, Dr Sharif and his team will highlight the poor
lifestyle habits that cause CVD and also work to make treatment more accessible
for those with advanced cardiac conditions.
“While heart disease is common; it can be avoided,”
said Dr Sharif. “A healthy diet and regular exercise are essential preventive
measures and we need to strive to ensure that everyone has the knowledge to take
charge of their health.”
The scientific council will also develop a set of
comprehensive quality indicators alongside professional regulations to help new
cardiac facilities raise their quality of care. Such measures will ensure that
life-saving surgeries are available outside of renowned private institutions
and busy public hospitals which are unable to cope with the rising burden of
CVDs.
“Patients often opt for treatment at smaller and
sometimes unqualified healthcare centers on cost grounds. Regardless of where
they go, patients must always receive the right guidance so that they opt for
the most suitable and beneficial treatment,” said Dr Sharif who trained in
surgery as a Rhodes scholar at the University of Oxford and Harvard University
prior to joining AKU in August 2000.
Another priority for Dr Sharif is the need to improve
the professional rapport between cardiologists and cardiac surgeons.
“There are approximately 50 cardiologists for every
cardiac surgeon in Pakistan. There needs to be a strong working relationship
between these two sets of specialists as this will immediately result in a
better experience for patients.”
The Pakistan Cardiac Society is a
national body founded in 1966 which is focused on promoting research and
treatment advances in cardiovascular disease.