ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi Friday said the provision of health facilities to the masses and protecting them from various diseases was the responsibility of state.

Addressing the inaugurating session of a health symposium here at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), he said there was a need to create awareness about prevention from various diseases and timely diagnosis.

Preventive measures could help save huge amounts spent on healthcare services, he said, adding in addition to treatment, compassionate behaviour could also help bring good results in the cure of patients.

Minister for National Health Services, Regulation and Coordination Aamer Mehmood Kiani and PIMS Executive Director Raja Amjad Mahmood also addressed the symposium.

The president said focus should also be given on the provision of clean drinking water to the people.

He appreciated the PIMS administration for the provision best medical facilities in the hospital and taking measures to bring about further improvement.

He said since cleanliness was considered as half faith, the trends of preventive measures should also be promoted in the society along with healthcare facilities. Delayed diagnosis in the some diseases like breast cancer caused deaths and the awareness campaigns about the preventives measures against such ailments through media could produce better results, he added.

The president said doctors should keep in mind that the basis of education was in serving the people. They should be compassionate in treating the patients.

He praised the Minister for National Health Services for his efforts to bring about improvement in the health sector and taking measures to further improve health facilities in various institutions.

The president said since health was a provincial subject, the federal minister was in contact with the provincial health ministers and was taking measures to improves health services in their coordination.