On the occasion of World Multiple Sclerosis Day, Roche Pakistan Limited focused on raising awareness about Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in Pakistan and addressing the needs of patients, especially awareness, diagnosis and support provided by the government. The panel includes MD Roche Pakistan, Chief Medical Officer of Roche Ms. Hafsa Shamsie, Dr. Asirasir Adnan and Neurologists Dr. Shahid Mustafa (Consultant Neurologist, AKUH), Dr. Muhammad Wasai (Consultant Neurologist, AKUH).
Dr. Asirasir Adnan said that every 5 minutes, someone somewhere in the world is diagnosed with MS. Today, more than 2.8 million people worldwide live with MS. Although there is no MS registry in Pakistan, it is estimated that there are more than 10,000 MS sufferers across the country. Given the increasing burden of MS across the country, he said that diseases like MS not only damage the physical condition and health of sufferers, but also create severe challenges for sufferers’ families and communities.
Dr. Shaheed Mustafa said that while it may take time for someone to be diagnosed with MS, it is important to get a diagnosis and subsequent treatment as soon as possible. He says that MS is not only a disabling disease but also a stigmatizing disease that leads to social isolation and ostracism. As a healthcare professional, she believes that better MS education and awareness in the healthcare setting is essential for patients to receive the right information and treatment.
Dr. Muhammed Wasai said that multiple sclerosis is a paralyzing disease that mostly affects young people, especially women. Disability associated with MS can be reduced with early and effective treatment. Unfortunately, most MS patients cannot afford disease-modifying medications, he said, so government support for treatment is important. He urged the Sindh government to come forward and support MS patients so that they can become productive members of society.
Ms. Hafsa Shamsie said it is important for a nation to solve women’s health problems, especially because MS is 2-3 times more common in women than men. She believes that gender should not be a barrier to healing. Left untreated, MS has robbed young women of a chance at a normal life, leaving some in wheelchairs for the rest of their lives.
Mrs. Hafsa Shamsie said that Roche is a company that prides itself on finding answers to the world’s most complex and urgent health problems. That’s why Roche not only provides innovative treatments and services for MS patients, but since 2017, has launched the Roche Patient Support Program, helping more than 25,000 patients receive free treatment for various diseases, including MS. But as the burden of the disease increases, no company or organization can do it alone, and the government steps up to support MS patients and include them in healthcare funding has become critical.
