WORLD OSTEOPOROSIS DAY 2014
World Osteoporosis Day 2014 was observed at a function organised by the Pakistan Society for the Rehabilitation of the Disabled in Lahore. The event which was attended by health professionals, medical students and members of the public was aimed at raising awareness about the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis , a silent, debilitating and deadly disease which causes bones to become brittle and weak and is the leading cause of fragility fractures and disability in older people. To counteract the misconception that osteoporosis is a women’s disease, the message of WOD 2014 is aimed at men “Strong on the Outside, Stronger on the Inside”.
An informative presentation on osteoporosis was made by Sr. Orthopaedic Surgeon PSRD, Dr. Javed Iqbal which was much appreciated by the participants.
Speaking on the occasion, National Action Network Coordinator for the Bone & Joint Decade and Vice President PSRD, Mrs. Ghazala Hameed said that osteoporosis falls under the umbrella of musculoskeletal conditions which is the second leading cause of disability worldwide, according to the Global Burden of Disease Study, and is on the rise. She elaborated on the initiatives that PSRD has been taking to promote musculoskeletal health, working with organisations like Bone & Joint Decade and the International Osteoporosis Foundation. She urged the Government to make musculoskeletal conditions in general and osteoporosis, in particular, a public health priority.
Advisor on Health to Chief Minister Punjab, Kh. Salman Rafique, addressing the participants, lauded the efforts of PSRD. He said osteoporosis had significant economic consequences due to costs incurred to hospitalise patients and fix fractures. He proposed the formation of a working group which would include orthopaedic specialists, NGOs , social welfare dept., media and other relevant groups to prepare a road map for osteoporosis prevention.
Renowned Orthopaedic Surgeon and past president Pakistan Orthopaedic Association, Prof. Aftab Ahmed also spoke on the occasion.
A free BMD clinic was held where a large number of people got themselves checked and were given counselling.
The event was well covered in the print and electronic media.
“HEALTHY BONES” RALLY
As part of initiatives for musculoskeletal health awareness, Pakistan Society for the Rehabilitation of the Disabled (PSRD) organised a “Healthy Bones” Rally in collaboration with the Motorbike Association of Pakistan. The rally, which comprised of motorbike enthusiasts wearing distinctive Bone & Joint Action Week T-shirts, started their journey on 18th October, 2014 from Lahore and stopped at District Hospitals, colleges and key city centre locations in Sheikhupura, Pindi Bhattian, Chiniot, Faisalabad, Okara and Renala. They distributed flyers for awareness of arthritis and osteoporosis. They generated a lot of excitement wherever they went and there was a lot of interest from the local population who were keen to know more about these conditions. In Renala their stay was facilitated by the Mitchell Food company. In all they covered a distance of 570 km. The rally ended at the PSRD rehabilitation facility in Lahore on 20th October where a function had been organised to observe World Osteoporosis Day.