Apr. 1--MORE than 1,200 people with severe diseases of the digestive system are treated annually at Salmaniya Medical Complex (SMC), Health Minister Dr Faisal Al Hamer has said.
Speaking at the First International Conference on Digestive and Liver Diseases at the Bahrain Medical Society, Juffair, he said these diseases come second in a list of illnesses that threaten lives the most.
"Cardiac diseases still take the top spot, but these are not far behind," he said at the conference, organised by the Bahrain Specialist Hospital.
"These diseases cause a lot of complications and lead to a very high mortality rate, though the exact figures are not available."
The two-day event, held under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad, concluded yesterday.
"This disease differs in this part of the world in some ways than it is found in the West and other regions because here it leads to cancers of the digestive system and the liver -- that is what causes the complications and the high mortality," added the minister.
Conference president Dr Najah Al Zayani said the main reason for these diseases is that obesity and diabetes are widespread in Bahrain.
"These two conditions lead to cirrhosis of the liver the complications from which are difficult to treat," she said.
The ministry has now started a campaign to impose a hygiene policy in restaurants and keep a check on the quality of food and its safety.
"There is also a plan to introduce some vaccinations to prevent liver diseases like hepatitis A and B," she said.
mandeep@gdn.com.bh
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