Gastroenterology in Pakistan

Gastroenterology is the field of medicine focused on the normal function and diseases of the digestive system or the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, including the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, pancreas, gallbladder, bile ducts, liver, as well as colon and rectum. Doctors who specialize in gastroenterology are called gastroenterologists. They are trained to diagnose and treat conditions of the digestive system. Some of the conditions that these specialists can treat include:

• Ulcers
• Acid reflux
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
• Polyps or growth that can occur in the large intestine (colon)
• Hepatitis C
• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin)
• Bloody stool
• Hemorrhoids
• Colon and bowel cancer
• Pancreatic cancer
• Esophageal cancer
• Gastric cancer
• Colitis
• Pancreatitis 

While gastroenterologists can treat diseases of the digestive system, they do not perform surgery. If surgery is required they will work with or refer patients to a gastrointestinal surgeon. The following are a range of nonsurgical procedures that gastroenterologists perform:

• Colonoscopy to detect colon polyps and colon cancer
• Endoscopic ultrasound to examine the upper and lower GI tract
• Sigmoidoscopy to assess blood loss or pain in the bowel
• Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography to identify tumors, gallstones, or scar tissue in the bile duct
• Capsule endoscopy to examine the small intestine
• Liver biopsy to examine fibrosis and inflammation
• Polypectomy to remove a polyp.

How Long Should I Stay in Pakistan?

The type of procedure that you undergo determines your length of stay in Pakistan. Most procedures are performed on an outpatient basis, meaning you can leave the hospital or clinic on the same day. However, you generally need to stay in Pakistan for around a week for follow up appointments and to let your body recover before you can travel. If you undergo a diagnostic procedure, your doctor will discuss the results and create a treatment plan during the follow-up appointment.

What's the Expected Recovery Time?

Recovery time for gastroenterology procedures range from a day to 2 weeks, or sometimes longer, depending on the type of procedure. During the recovery period, it is important to avoid any strenuous activities. Your gastroenterologist will let you know the specific time you can resume your normal activities, go back to work, and perform vigorous exercises.

What Aftercare is Required?

It is crucial that you follow all of the instructions closely, to prevent the problem from getting worse or from reoccurring, you may need to make some dietary and lifestyle changes. You may also need to attend follow-up checkups to monitor your condition. You can have the checkups at home with your local doctor, or with your gastroenterologist in Pakistan.

What's the Success Rate?

Advances in gastroenterology have increased the safety and success rate of treatments. The diagnostic procedures offer high accuracy in finding problems within the gastrointestinal tract, and the treatments are found to be highly successful to treat conditions in the digestive system. For example, a colonoscopy now has a 94% success rate in capturing all colorectal cancer. Still, there are some risks to the procedures that you will need to be aware of, such as a tear in the intestine’s lining, excessive bleeding, adverse reaction to the equipment or medication used during the procedure, organ perforation, infection, and incomplete removal (for removal of polyps).

Are there Alternatives?

In most cases, there is no alternative to seeing a gastroenterologist if you experience problems in your digestive system and it is found to be caused by something else that is outside the gastroenterologists’ scope of practice, they will refer you to the relevant specialist.

Gastroenterology in and around Pakistan

Introduction

The Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a country located in South Asia and it is the fifth-most populous country of the world, with a population exceeding 207.8 million. Although the country has plenty of natural and historical riches, this country is off the radar for most tourists due to political instability. Those who are curious enough to visit the country will find that it is filled with beautiful, from Mughals and mountains to the mighty Karakoram. 

A large number of ultra-modern medical centers are available, and they are equipped and facilitated with the most advanced medical technologies. Numerous doctors and surgeons at these medical centers are normally foreign qualified. Large numbers of patients from neighboring countries and the Middle East have traveled to Pakistan to undergo various medical procedures, mainly for organ transplants or fertility treatments.

Popular Cities and Regions in Pakistan

The capital city of Pakistan is Islamabad. This city was built as a planned city to replace Karachi as the country’s capital. Islamabad is known for its safety, high standards of living, and plenty of green spaces. Here, tourists can admire the symmetry of the Pakistan Monument, check out the Daman-e-Koh viewpoint, visit the Lok Virsa Museum, and stroll around the Faisal Mosque. Karachi, the original capital of the country, is a sprawling metropolis. Most visitors usually come to check out the Quaid Mausoleum and the Tuba Mosque. Another popular city for tourism in Lahore, which is filled with beautiful architecture and interesting museums. The most popular attractions in this city are the Badshahi Mosque, the Lahore Fort, the Sheesh Mahal, and the Delhi Gate. 

Transport in Pakistan

The busiest airport in Pakistan is the Jinnah International Airport, which is located in Karachi. It serves both domestic and international flights to and from several cities in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Taking domestic flights can be a great way to travel around. The rail network is also extensive and comfortable. Taxis and Uber are also available.

Visas in Pakistan

Citizens of 5 countries, including Maldives, Nepal, Samoa, Tonga, and Trinidad and Tobago, can visit Pakistan without a visa. Several countries, such as Austria and the UAE, may obtain a visa on arrival if they possess ETA. Citizens of 15 countries, including Armenia and India, are eligible to apply for an online visa. 

Weather in Pakistan

Summer (March – October) is hot and dry in the northern regions. However, July and August can be rainy, making the weather hot and humid. The temperatures can range from 9°C to 38°C. Winter (November – April) can be really severe and most cities will get frost. Also, the northern part of the country experiences heavy rainfall during this season. The average temperature ranges from 3°C to 25°C.

Additional Info

1. Local Currency: The official currency is the Pakistani rupee (PKR). 1 USD will get you approx. 154.4 PKR.
2. Money & Payments: ATMs are readily available. Pakistan is a cash-based society, and credit cards are only accepted in a few establishments. Tipping is not expected.
3. Local Language: The official language is Urdu and English. Punjabi, Pashto, Sindhi, Saraiki, and Balochi are also spoken by a number of people. 
4. Local Culture and Religion: Islam is practiced by more than 90% of the population. Hinduism, Christianity, Ahmadis, Sikhism, and other religions are also practiced. Always avoid wearing body-revealing clothes in public places.
5. Public holidays: Some of the most celebrated holidays are Holi, Pakistan Day, Eid ul-Fitr, and Eid ul-Azha.