Cardiovascular disease has emerged as the leading cause of death in Pakistan, claiming nearly 400,000 lives annually and accounting for over 30% of all fatalities, as reported by The News on Monday. Alarmed by this escalating crisis, health experts and policymakers are advocating for urgent, nationwide reforms focused on prioritizing prevention, early detection, and equitable access to care, especially in underserved regions.
“Pakistan is facing a cardiovascular emergency. What’s deeply concerning is the increasing number of patients in their 30s and 40s presenting with advanced coronary artery disease,” stated Dr. Raj Kumar, President of the Pakistan Cardiac Society (PCS). He emphasized, “This is not only a public health challenge but a national development issue — a sick workforce cannot carry the nation forward.”
Dr. Kumar underscored that sedentary lifestyles, poor nutrition, smoking, uncontrolled diabetes, and a lack of awareness about heart health are key contributors to the worsening situation. He stressed the imperative to transition from reactive treatment models to proactive prevention, commencing with widespread public health education and professional training initiatives.
This call to action was issued during the PCS “Leaders Track” session held in Sukkur, an advanced academic event organized in collaboration with Pharmevo, a pharmaceutical company. The event brought together cardiologists, physicians, trainees, and students from across Sindh to deliberate on complex cardiac cases, diagnostic strategies, and region-specific challenges in heart care delivery.
Dr. Kumar noted that a significant barrier to improving outcomes is the shortage of trained cardiologists in peripheral areas, coupled with delayed diagnosis and limited access to advanced procedures. “We must educate not only our patients but also healthcare providers — and that’s the aim of Leaders Track,” he said. The session featured detailed case presentations, multidisciplinary panel discussions, and interactive learning on interventional cardiology, diagnostics, and treatment protocols. Participants explored the burden of cardiovascular disease in rural areas, highlighting the critical need for better screening programs and stronger primary healthcare infrastructure.
Dr. Syed Fayyaz Mujtaba, Coordinator of the PCS Larkana Chapter, who led local arrangements for the event, emphasized that such academic activities in smaller cities are crucial for bridging the knowledge gap. “Bringing programmes like this to Sukkur ensures that doctors outside major urban centres stay updated on best practices and evolving guidelines,” he stated. A spokesperson for Pharmevo remarked, “Through our collaboration with PCS, we’re proud to enable knowledge-sharing platforms that can directly improve patient care,” adding that Pharmevo is committed to long-term partnerships with medical institutions to elevate healthcare standards across Pakistan.
In his concluding remarks, Dr. Kumar stressed the necessity of sustained action. “Training sessions like these must become a regular feature across the country. We cannot wait for doctors to come to learning — we must take the learning to them,” he asserted, urging both the public and private sectors to invest more in preventive cardiology, screening initiatives, and community outreach programs.
