In Pakistan, approximately seven thousand children die every day from various diseases. Of these, about 150 children died due to various birth defects.
Birth defects or birth defects in children can be corrected by surgery or surgery immediately after birth. Unfortunately, there are less than 200 pediatric surgeons in Pakistan.
This information was revealed by eminent pediatric surgeon and president of Pakistan Association of Pediatric Surgeons Dr. Muhammad Arshad in an exclusive conversation with reporters on Sunday.
Speaking on the occasion of World Children’s Surgery Day 2024, Dr Muhammad Arshad said that the number of children under 15 years of age in Pakistan is 33%, but the number of pediatric surgeons operating on these children in Pakistan is very low.
On the other hand, where only 19% of the U.S. population consists of children under 15 years of age, hundreds of pediatric surgeons are available around the clock for general and complex pediatric surgery.
Dr Arshad said birth defects in children are the fifth leading cause of death among them. He said that in addition to birth defects. Pediatric surgeons are also needed for an estimated 26 to 27,000 accidents, kidney stones, cancer and other diseases, taking their lives every year in Pakistan due to a severe shortage of surgeons.
Dr. Arshad said that due to lack of job opportunities in the public and private sector in Pakistan. Pakistani pediatrician Especially the pediatrician Therefore, dozens of people had to travel abroad. As a result, children in Pakistan are dying every day.
He suggested on the occasion that the posts of pediatric surgeons should be created in all district hospitals of Pakistan. To be able to save children’s lives by performing complex surgeries in district hospitals.
He added: Only Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad have special children’s hospitals. This is under pressure from patients coming from all over Pakistan. And hundreds of children receiving treatment will die from complications due to delayed diagnosis.
He said that if a pediatric surgeon is appointed in a district hospital Child mortality rates can be greatly reduced. With early diagnosis and timely treatment
On this occasion, other health professionals It said local steps need to be taken to prevent Pakistani health professionals from traveling abroad. This is to prevent the growing shortage of health professionals in Pakistan.
