<p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) collaborates with the Karachi Down Syndrome Program (KDSP) to offer the first of its kind, 'one stop health solution' making it easy for parents to bring their children to conveniently see different specialists at AKUH, in one clinic. Up until now, parents in Pakistan would struggle to find the appropriately trained specialists to treat separate health challenges faced by their children with Down syndrome, often fleeing from one hospital to another and finding it's all a wild goose chase.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Today, a team of internationally trained and experienced child specialists practicing at the AKUH, led by Dr. Salman Kirmani and Dr. Babar Hasan, joined forces with the world renowned Down syndrome expert, Dr. Brain G. Skotko, as well as the founder of KSDP, Mr. Ali Allawala, and staff, to share best clinical practices for Down syndrome management at a session held in the AKU auditorium. This session was attended by medical professionals and students, Down syndrome parents and families as well as supporters of the cause. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Speaking about the launch, Dr. Salman commented,</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">"The new Down syndrome Clinic at the AKUH became possible because of conversations with KDSP. We have been informally working with KDSP for 3 years, and now spreading the word so the medical community is aware and can guide these individuals to the Down syndrome clinics where all their healthcare needs can be met."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Mr. Ali Allawala said,</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">"I am proud to see the formal launch of the Down Syndrome Clinic at the AKUH, which will not just give people with this condition the treatment they need, but also enhance the skill set of doctors responsible for their care."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">While speaking live from Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, on this occasion of the first Down Syndrome Clinic launch in Pakistan, Dr. Brian Skotko said, </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">"According to a research study by the American School of Medical Genetics about self-perceptions from people with Down syndrome, about 99% expressed being happy with their lives", and even though it is challenge and adjustment for families, "99% of the parents, and 97% of the siblings, love their child/sibling with Down syndrome."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Approximately one child in every 800 live births around the world is born with Down syndrome. Down syndrome is a condition in which babies are born with extra genetic material from chromosome 21. Children born with Down syndrome are at an increased risk of certain medical conditions such as congenital heart defects, respiratory and hearing problems, Alzheimer's disease, childhood leukemia, and thyroid conditions. The degree of these conditions varies greatly from child to child. However, many of these conditions are now treatable, and early medical intervention can help people with Down syndrome to lead long, healthy and productive lives.
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</p><div class="ms-rtestate-read ms-rte-wpbox" contenteditable="false"><div class="ms-rtestate-notify ms-rtestate-read 6f8c3849-908b-4f63-85ca-bbb3c6ec19a2" id="div_6f8c3849-908b-4f63-85ca-bbb3c6ec19a2" unselectable="on"></div><div id="vid_6f8c3849-908b-4f63-85ca-bbb3c6ec19a2" unselectable="on" style="display: none;"></div></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://view.vzaar.com/9881462/player" target="_blank"><img src="/pakistan/AboutUs/News/PublishingImages/Pages/one-stop-health-care-solution-2017/ds%20clinc%20video%2011111.png" alt="ds clinc video 11111.png" style="margin: 5px;"/></a>
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