PMA Lahore demands dedicated Rheumatology Units in all public hospitals

Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) Lahore has demanded the immediate establishment of Rheumatology departments in all public sector hospitals across the province, citing a sharp rise in joint-related diseases.

In a press statement issued on Tuesday, PMA Lahore President Prof Dr Shahid Malik said that conditions such as gout, arthritis, and other chronic joint disorders are increasing at an alarming rate, severely affecting the quality of life of millions of patients.

He warned that many sufferers eventually lose mobility and become dependent on others for daily living. +

He stressed that the creation of dedicated Rheumatology departments has become the need of the hour to ensure timely, effective, and specialised treatment for joint pain, swelling, gout, and immune-related diseases in the public healthcare system.

The PMA President urged the Chief Secretary of Punjab to convene an urgent meeting on the issue and take concrete steps to include the establishment of Rheumatology departments in the upcoming Annual Development Programme (ADP).

He emphasised that such an initiative would significantly reduce patient suffering and ease the burden on tertiary care hospitals.