Call for raising awareness about fungal infection

Dermatology experts of the country yesterday called for more research works and forming uniform guidelines for all dermatologists to ensure control over skin diseases.

Though Bangladesh has already achieved many successes in modern medical treatment, awareness among the people need to be created to ensure proper treatment and prevent emerging problems of diseases caused by fungal infection, said the experts in a seminar on 'Updates in Dermatology'.

The seminar was organized by Department of Dermatology and Venereology of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) at Dhaka Club in the city.

During the first session of the seminar, some of the country's dermatologists presented papers on different skin diseases including Psoriasis, Leprosy and Onychomycosis, says UNB.

In their presentation, the experts said, according to a community-based survey report on population from six upazilas - Daudkandi, Mithamain, Meherpur, Brahmanbaria, Madhabpur and Sirajdikhan- seven out of every one thousand people suffer from Psoriasis.

The articles were presented by Professor M A Wahab, Associate Professor Dr Ashim Kumar Nandi, Dr Dipak Kumar Das, Associate Professor Dr Md Rafiqul Mowla and Associate Professor Dr Tushar Kanti Sikder.

They also urged the patients not to have any drug without any prescription from expert doctors while the dermatology specialists also need to be more careful about treatment for fungal infected diseases, laser and cosmetic surgery. Wrong treatment and unnecessary laser surgery affects the patients and even causes drug resistance in their body which hampers further treatment, they added.

Addressing the seminar as the chief guest, Liberation Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Huq urged the doctors and drug manufacturers to work for lowering the cost of treatment for the people.

"Country's people are now getting better treatment than any previous time but the medical facility has not reached to a satisfactory level yet", he said urging the doctors to work more effectively and enrich more research works to achieve the desired target.

Speaking as a special guest, State Minister for LGRD and Cooperatives Moshiur Rahman Ranga blamed the ill treatment given by quack doctors for denting public trust on country's medical treatment and doctors.

Dr AQM Serajul Islam, President of Bangladesh Dermatological Society (BDS), said, there should be a proper guidelines for the dermatologists to follow uniformly countrywide while treating skin diseases, especially those caused by fungal infection.

Presiding over the session, Professor Md Shahidullah Sikder, Pro Vice Chancellor of BSMMU and chairman of the Department of Dermatology and Venereology in the University, said, with the advancement of time, new skin diseases are emerging as threats and challenges in front of the dermatologists.But the dermatology experts of the country are working to face challenge with scientific measures, he added.

Among others, BSMMU VC Professor Dr Kanak Kanti Barua and President of Bangladesh Medical Association (BMA) Dr Mustafa Jalal Mohiuddin also spoke in the occasion. The experts also urged the policy makers and dermatologists to come forward and work together to upgrade country's medical science and ensure more effective treatment of dermatological diseases.