Doctors urge for awareness about virus causing pregnancy complications

KOHAT: Doctors on Thursday called for awareness among the people about increasing number of toxoplosma gondii virus, which is resulting in pregnancy complications such as premature deliveries and night blindness among infants. 

The call was made during a signing ceremony of memorandum of understanding between the microbiology department of the Kohat University of Science and Technology (KUST) and Rehnuma-Family Planning Association of Pakistan (R- FPAP), to carry out research and create awareness among the people about the virus.

The R-FPAP team included programme coordinator Ajmal Khan, monitoring and evaluation coordinator Sarmad Rasheed and field supervisor Asim Khurshid, while, Head of microbiology department, Dr Baharullah, was also in attendance.

Mr Khan informed the meeting about the consequences of the toxoplosma gondii virus-related sicknesses. He relayed they had been receiving cases of acute problems among women and babies and they had to do abortions to save the lives. He said newborns suffered from squint or strabismus and night blindness.

On the occasion, Dr Mubashir said the source of the virus was the animals, especially cats, which the people were not aware of. He stressed there was immense need of creating awareness among the people about the virus. He said remedy of the squint was possible through eye exercises.

He expressed desire to designate two students of the department for doing PhD on the study of virus at various hospitals of Kohat and urged the R-FPAP for financial assistance. He also offered technical support and volunteers.