UNS: Hypertension is a silent killer and the prevalence of hypertension in Pakistan is increasing at an
alarming rate. The National Health Survey of Pakistan showed that one third of population
above the age of 45 years is hypertensive. This is very concerning, as it contributes to the
increasing prevalence of cardiovascular disease burden in the country. Pakistan health care
sector faces many challenges which prevent the citizens from getting adequate care. Primary
healthcare suffers from insufficient funding and resources. Furthermore 70% of the healthcare is
from the private sector and most people pay out of pocket. There needs to be significant
changes that need to be made at the community level to manage hypertension without adding
additional cost the patient.
In a significant stride toward improving healthcare outcomes in Pakistan, Dr. Hunaina Shahab, a
renowned expert in cardiology, has made pivotal contributions to the management of
hypertension. Alongside her team, she has developed a new method of taking blood pressure
readings in the clinic visit which is known as the Post-Clinic Blood Pressure. This reading is
taken 15 minutes after the patients have met the physician. These readings are comparable to
the gold standard method of checking blood pressure for 24 hours (Ambulatory Blood Pressure
Monitor) which is an expensive method of confirming hypertension. This new method reduces
costs for patients and alleviates the hospital's burden of acquiring new equipment and training
resources for ambulatory blood pressure monitors. She has also played a significant role in the
development of the 4 th National Pakistan Hypertension Guidelines alongside the Chair, Dr.
Aamir Hameed Khan, Co-chair, Dr. Aysha Almas, the entire writing committee and the national
and international advisory board. These guidelines serve as a cornerstone for healthcare
professionals in Pakistan, offering evidence-based recommendations tailored to the unique
needs of the country. Recognizing the growing burden of hypertension in Pakistan, Dr. Shahab
has also played a key role in research aimed at understanding the prevalence, risk factors, and
management strategies for this silent killer with the COBRA Trial under Dr. Tazeen Jafar. Their
work not only highlights the pressing need for early detection and treatment but also advocates
for public health policies focused on prevention and education. The dual impact of these
initiatives is already evident, with the guidelines being widely adopted by local practitioners and
the research findings providing critical insights into improving patient outcomes. This landmark
effort underscores the vital role of locally driven solutions in addressing global health
challenges. As Pakistan continues to grapple with rising rates of hypertension, Dr. Shahab
remains at the forefront of efforts to empower healthcare providers and enhance patient care
through innovation and expertise.
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ISLAMABAD-UNS :National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq on Tuesday postponed the fourth round of negotiations between the government and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) due to absence of the opposition party representatives. Earlier, the speaker reached out to PTI leaders Omar Ayub and Asad Qaiser over telephone, inviting them to participate in […]
