Lahore: The participants of the walk held on Tuesday to mark World Arthritis Day demanded the initiation of the department of rheumatology in all public and private teaching hospitals and provision of important biologics through Sehat Sahulat Card.
The awareness walk aimed at highlighting the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of arthritis was conducted through joint collaboration of Arthritis Care Foundation, Central Park Teaching Hospital Lahore and Scotmann Pharmaceuticals in Lahore.
The participants of the walk were carrying placards and banners highlighting the importance of World Arthritis Day written with slogans including “Arthritis can affect children as well”, “Autoimmune Rheumatic diseases can be fatal”, “Back pain in young age can be ankylosing” etc.
They highlighted that delay in diagnosis of Arthritis can result in long term disability in the people.
According to a research done by the Arthritis Care Foundation funded by the World Health Organization, approximately one out of every fourth person is suffering from some kind of inflammatory joint disease.
If not diagnosed early, these conditions can result in long-term disability, like Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.
Experts including Prof. Dr. Nighat Meer, Prof. Dr. Sumaira Farman, Prof. Dr. Waqar Farooqi, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Ahmed Saeed, Dr. Muhammad Rafaqat Hameed participated in the walk along with the students and general public.
State of the art department of Rheumatology with international standards and equipment has been established at the Central Park Teaching Hospital, served by highly skilled and qualified specialists and staff.
Central Park Teaching Hospital also provides free treatment services for deserving patients with the support of Arthritis Care Foundation.
World Arthritis Day is marked on October 12 every year across the world.
The day is observed to raise awareness about the impact and existence of musculoskeletal (issues related to bones, muscles, ligaments, and soft tissues) and rheumatic (autoimmune and inflammatory illnesses that attack muscles, joints, and organs) diseases.
Senior citizens often face many bodily problems with growing age and arthritis is among the most common issues.
Therefore, World Arthritis Day is celebrated to inform and educate people about the disease that causes problems in joints.