Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, February 25

The third biennial South Asian conference on cardiology is being jointly organised by Cardiac Society of Nepal and SAARC Cardiac Society in Kathmandu from February 27 to 29.

Some 500 delegates from SAARC countries and experts from around the world including North America, England, Australia, Thailand, France, Spain, Austria, Singapore and Philippines are expected to participate in the conference.

"The conference will provide an opportunity for exchange of ideas on the development of new techniques in cardiac care and services," said Dr Arun Sayami, president of the Cardiac Society of Nepal, addressing a press meet here today.

Cardiovascular diseases are emerging as a major health problem in the South Asia and Nepal is no exception to it. Studies reveal that one to two per 1,000 school children in the country suffer from rheumatic heart disease, while some five per cent of adult population in the Kathmandu suffer from coronary artery disease.

Cardiovascular disease, which accounts for 30 per cent of all deaths, is one of the leading cause of death worldwide. It is projected that in 2020, ischaemic heart disease, also known as heart attacks, will be the leading cause of death worldwide.

Dr Bhagwan Koirala, secretary general of the cardiac Society of Nepal, informed that apart from presentations from the delegates, in-depth reports on various cardiovascular issues will also be available during the conference.

"The problem and economic burden of cardiovascular diseases should be timely addressed with preventive and curative methods," said Dr Mrigendra Raj Pandey, patron of the society.