‘400,000 Parkinson’s patients in Pakistan’

LAHORE

There are more than 0.4 million people suffering from Parkinson's in Pakistan, of them 40,000 patients need surgery.

“Even though the treatment of Parkinson is not as expensive as in other countries, yet it is out of reach of poor class in Pakistan.

Therefore, philanthropists, donors and social organisations must come forward for financial assistance to the patients,” said Dr Khalid Mahmood, Professor of Neurosurgery of Lahore General Hospital and pioneer of introduction of Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) treatment of Parkinson in Pakistan, in his message in connection with World Parkinson Day on Monday. 

According to a press release, he said that due to the provision of modern medical equipment worth Rs. 50 million by the Punjab government, DBS treatment had been introduced at LGH, the first centre of this type in the country. A number of Parkinson's patients have recovered which was, of course, not possible without financial assistance by the Punjab government.

He said that patients of Parkinson's are bearing the cost up to Rs. 10 million in the US, the UK and other developed countries, which is five times more than incurred on its treatment in LGH. Many overseas Pakistanis, also Indians, have approached us for surgery and treatment, he added.