Pakistan is facing a staggering rise in stroke cases, with approximately 1,000 individuals falling victim to the disease daily, and 400 losing their lives. Renowned neurologists and medical experts expressed concern at a press conference organized by the Neurology Awareness and Research Foundation at the Karachi Press Club.

Leading neurologist Dr. Muhammad Waseem warned that Pakistan has reached a critical point in stroke prevalence. He attributed the alarming rate to widespread hypertension, affecting one-third of the population, and unhealthy habits such as smoking (14%) and gutka consumption (16%). The increasing use of e-cigarettes and Karachi’s hazardous environmental pollution index (200-250) further exacerbate the issue.

Dr. Waseem and fellow experts, including Dr. Saqib Ansari and Dr. Fawad, urged the government to provide free medications for hypertension, diabetes, and stroke patients and increase stroke treatment centers nationwide.

For more information on Pakistan’s healthcare challenges and stroke prevention, consider searching online medical resources.