Speakers of the function organised to mark the World Thyroid Day stressed on the awareness about thyroid disease and use of Iodised salt, salt containing iodine, to minimize the chances of the disease.
The function was held at Rehman Medical Institute (RMI) to highlight the adverse effects of thyroid disease and to promote awareness and understanding about it among the masses. Professor Mehar Taj Roghani was the chief guest while Ex-director General Health, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Dr. Sardar-ul-Mulk was the guest of honour.
Head of department of Thyroid and Cancer Medicine at RMI, Dr. Sher Mohammad Khan presided over the event. Prof. Dr. Muhammad Rehman, Chairman RMI, Sharif ur Rehman, Chief Executive Officer RMI, were present along with a large number of medical students, nurses, young doctors, consultants and teachers.
Dr Sher Mohammad Khan, who established investigations and treatment of thyroid disease using radioactive iodine some 30 years ago while working in Institute of Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine (IRNUM), said that millions of people were suffering from the disease all over the world. He said that the thyroid disease of goitre, swelling of the neck, was prevalent in Gilgat, Chitral, Dir and other parts of the KP.
Dr. Sher Mohammad Khan added that Marco Polo, an Italian merchant and traveller, who travelled from the Silk Route, also mentioned the disease some 500 years ago and wrote that people of the region were having enlarged necks.
On the occasion, Dr Sher Mohammad Khan played rich tribute to all those who played important role in prevention of the thyroid disease of goitre by using iodised salt, especially mentioning the names of Dr. Sardar ul Mulk, Dr. Sardar Ali and Dr. Shah.
Other who spoke on the occasion were Dr. Mohammad Rauf, Principal Medical Officer Nuclear Medicine at IRNUM, Dr. Mohammad Saad ullah from North West General Hospital, Dr. Madiha Iqbal, Dr. M. Fahad Shah, Dr. Sanam Gandapur, Muhammad Ihtesham.
On the occasion Pakistan Thyroid Association, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chapter was also formed. Since 2008, World Thyroid Day is observed every year on 25th of May to promote awareness about the disease.
