Raise awareness about heart diseases: President

He was addressing the inaugural ceremony of the international conference on 'Updates on Management in Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery' organised by the LabAid Cardiac Hospital at a city hotel.

"Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in our country. Each year, the number of death due to cardiovascular diseases is alarmingly increasing," the president said.

"In the year 2000, about 16.7 million people died of cardiovascular diseases, amounting to 30.3 percent of all deaths worldwide," he added.

President Iajuddin noted with concern that South Asia comprising India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka represents more than a quarter of the developing world, and is likely to be strongly affected by the increase in cardiovascular diseases.

He said: "Nowadays, every one is looking for answers. Patients want new and better ways of healing. So, physicians, government, community, social leaders want to reduce the impact of heart disease."

The president said the treatment of cardiovascular disease is expensive, which the poor people of the region cannot afford.

Mass awareness regarding the causes of these diseases can play a vital role in reducing the heart diseases, he added.

He hoped that the conference would contribute towards raising professional efficiency, helping the physicians to render improved services to the people of the region with enhanced commitment and dedication.

The president urged the rich as well as the benevolent persons to extend their help in the services of humanity by establishing a Heart Centre of international repute in Dhaka.

This will benefit the patients irrespective of their economic status, he said, adding that foreign exchange could also be saved.

State Minister for Health and Family Welfare Mizanur Rahman Sinha, Vice-Chancellor of Bangabandu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Prof MA Hadi were, among others, present at the inaugural function.