Lahore, Nov 4: With millions in India and Pakistan suffering from liver diseases, a close aide of President Asif Ali Zardari and  a leading Indian surgeon have announced the formation of a Liver Care Forum to cure the patients in both countries.
 Aiming to facilitate the exchange of expertise, Pakistan People's Party leader Jahangir Badr and Indian surgeon Arvinder Singh Soin  pledged to work together against hepatitis and other liver diseases prevailing in both the countries.
 Soin, considered to be one of India's leading liver transplant surgeons, said, "People living on the two sides of the border have identical  problems, besides the prevalence of diseases like hepatitis. Above eight million people in Pakistan and 50 million in India are suffering  from hepatitis B."
 Unfortunately, the number of Hepatitis C patients in Pakistan has touched 10 million and this figure is alarmingly high, he said.
 On  the other hand, the skills and ability of health and medical experts of the both countries had been acknowledged globally, he added.
 "However, it is a matter of grave concern that the people of both countries have not been taking advantage of the situation and prefer  to go to other developed states for healthcare facilities," Soin told reporters at a news conference at Lahore Press Club yesterday.
 "I have visited many health institutions in Lahore and met several medical experts who are very keen to work together in the health  profession," he said.
 Responding to a question, Soin said the Pakistan-India Liver Care Forum will help in the two key areas of prevention and care for widely  prevalent diseases. If required, he would perform liver transplants in Pakistan with the help of local professionals, he said.
 Whereas, Badr said he would talk to the government about helping Pakistani patients get visas for treatment in India. He said the  new Forum is aimed at strengthening relations between the two countries by taking care of people from both sides through a common platform.
 The Forum would help medical experts share their expertise, experiences and knowledge, Badr said. 
 Dozens of Pakistanis visit India every year for treatment of liver ailments.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 4 Nov 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 4 Nov 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 5 Nov 2012 00:00:00 IST