Further Information
MBBS 1980, MRCP(UK) 1988, FACG (USA) 1996, FRCP(Edin) 1997, MD(Edin) 2002
Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, The Aga Khan University, Karachi
Biographical information
- Medical College - King Edward Medical College, Lahore
- Specialist Interest - Gastroenterology/Hepatology;
- Training in GI/Hepatology (Registrar), Edinburgh Royal Infirmary
- Research Interest - Portal Hypertension
- Examiner for FCPS (Pakistan) Diploma Examination - an exit examination
- Member, Faculty of Gastroenterology, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Pakistan.
- Examiner MRCP (UK) PACES examination
- Member, Asian Council of the Asian Pacific Association for the Study of the Liver
- Currently, Vice-President, Pakistan Society of Hepatology
COVID-19 Perspective (16 April)
COVID 19 pandemic has taken over the strongest of nations of the world. Infection rates, morbidity and mortality are unbelievingly high. It has been termed as the greatest global health and socio-economic crisis since the flu pandemic which engulfed the globe a century ago. The economic impact is estimated in the short and long term to be much more severe than that after the Second World War
Pakistan has been no exception as a country being hit hard by the disease. Unfortunately, the testing kits for diagnosis, protective kits for healthcare givers, hospital facilities for the infected individuals are far from being adequate. To date approximately, 80000 people have been tested and 7000 have turned out to be positive. Sadly, more than 100 have died from Corona virus related complications.
It is affecting all parts of the country and the worst affected are those living in the most deprived areas and those from poor socioeconomic classes. Mortalities amongst healthcare givers have been recorded.
Social, cultural and religious factors, like praying in mosques and the fast approaching month of Ramadan, where people congregate for breaking fast and offering prayers in mosques shall add to the risk of transmission of disease.
As of now, we sincerely hope for the emergence of herd immunity, rapid development of an effective vaccine and least quantum of economic recession for a country like Pakistan where a very large segment of society depends on earning their livelihood on daily wages.