DEPARTMENT OF DERMATOLOGY UNIT-II
Prof. Sabrina Suhail Pal MBBS, MCPS, FCPS, (Dermatology) Professor of Dermatology Department

Brief History and Introduction

The Department of Dermatology was founded by Professor Emeritus Syed Ghulam Shabbir in 1960. The present building was completed in 1970 and it comprised of 56-bedded in-patient, out-patient block and a laboratory.

Professor Tahir Saeed Haroon joined the department in 1989 and along with Dr. Manzoor ul Hasan, his Associate professor, elevated it to a real state of art center over the years. Though photochemotherapy unit was already working since 1986, patch test clinic, immunofluorescence facility, laser unit and dermatosurgery theatre were added in the department during his tenure. After his retirement, Professor Dr. Sabrina Suhail Pal took over the charge in 2002. The Teledermatology unit was established in 2003.

In June, 2004 the department was converted into units I & II headed by Prof. Dr. Atif Hasnain Kazmi & Prof. Dr. Sabrina Suhail Pal respectively.

The Department of Dermatology is a centre of excellence which serves as a referral centre for patients from all over the country. Patients are referred for patch test, phototherapy, vitiligo surgery, punch grafting, dermabrasion, cryotherapy, laser therapy and laboratory investigations like dermatohistopathology, immuno-fluorescence and mycology. It has a busy out-patient with a turn over of about 100,000 patients per annum (heaviest in the hospital) and a 56-bedded in-patient ward along with intensive care units. The department has a well-maintained library, audiovisual section, computer section and a well-equipped auditorium with a seating capacity of 60 persons.

The department is actively involved in teaching undergraduate and postgraduate medical students, nurses and general practitioners.

Faculty List

Prof. Dr. Sabrina Suhail Pal
Professor of Dermatology

Dr. Khawar Kurshid
Associate Professor

Dr. Faria Asad
Assistant Professor

Dr. Zahida Rani
Assistant Professor

List of Teaching Programs

Undergraduate Teaching
MBBS
Postgraduate Training
FCPS (Fellow of College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan)
DCPS (Diploma of College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan)
MD (Doctorate in Medicine)
Since its inception in 1960, 43 FCPS, 2 MD and 41 MCPS (currently known as DCPS) have been trained.

From L to R
Row 1: Dr. Khawar Khurshid, Dr. Faria Asad, Prof. Sabrina Suhail Pal, Dr. Shahzana Naqqash, Dr. Manzoor-ul-Qayyum
Row 2: Dr. Iqtedar, Dr. Majid, Dr. Mansoor, Dr. Shahzad, Dr. Tariq, Dr. Zahid
Row 3: Dr. Ali, Dr. Faiza, Dr. Farah, Dr. Sara, Dr. Maria, Dr. Saira, Dr. Rashid

Courses

Family Physicians

Nurses

Teaching Aids

Our library is one of the largest departmental library having more than 1000 books on different aspects of dermatology. There is a regular inflow of major national and international journals of dermatology. The department is also equipped with photocopier, computer section with P-III desktop computers, laptops and internet facilities. The audiovisual section has different still cameras, digital cameras, overhead projector, slide projectors, and multimedia projector.

SERVICES

LABORATORY

The laboratory is equipped with routine and special investigative equipment. Following sections are part of our laboratory:
- Dermatopathology
- Immunofluorescence
- Mycology
Besides routine blood, urine and stool test, following specialized tests are also performed:
- Liver function tests
- Serum electrolytes
- Blood sugar
- Porphyrin detection - blood, urine, stool
- Mantoux test
- Smears for AFB & LD bodies
- Tzanck test
- Scraping for mite
- Screening for HIV, Hep. B & Hep. C

PHOTOTHERAPY

The department was pioneer to install this unit in January 1986. This section consists of Ultraviolet-A and Ultraviolet-B whole body radiation chambers and local lamps. This mode of treatment is successful for a number of common and rare dermatoses.

PATCH TEST

This department was pioneer to introduce patch testing which is a unique procedure to diagnose allergic contact dermatitis.

LASER THERAPY

We were the pioneer in establishing laser unit in the country in 1995 with the installation of Quasi-continuous double frequency Nd:YAG laser (Nd:YAG 532). This laser is used to treat various pigmentary and vascular disorders.

TELEDERMATOLOGY

Teledermatology Section was setup in the year 2003. It is useful both for the patient management and education purposes. Our team at Dermatology Department, Unit II, responds to any queries regarding skin diseases or their management put forward to us after filling the attached proforma.

DERMATOSURGERY

Procedures for diagnostic, therapeutic and cosmetic purposes are regularly carried out in the theatre.

RESEARCH

The unit has always been a hub of research activities. Presentations are made at national and international forum. Publications of our research in national and international journals are a regular feature
Current Researchwork

• Frequency of cutaneous diseases in geriatric patients of type IV/ V skin

• Evaluation of efficacy of 10% silver nitrate solution in the treatment of warts

• Obesity related dermatological manifestations

• Aggravating factors of chronic plaque psoriasis

• Comparison of topical tacrolimus and topical clobetasol in vitiligo

• Correlation of growth retardation in patients with atopic dermatitis in paedriatic age group.

• Comparison of safety & efficacy of topical zinc oxide vs. salicylic acid plus lactic acid ointment in the treatment of viral warts.

• Comparison of efficacy and tolerability of topical isotretinoin and adapalene

• Comparison of safety and efficacy of oral ivermectin vs. topical permethrin in patients with scabies

• Role of simvastatin in chronic plaque psoriasis

• Frequency of pulmonary tuberculosis in patients with skin diseases requiring high dose long term systemic steroid therapy

• Patterns of dermatoses and underlying psychopathological disorders in patients attending dermatology clinic in earthquake affected areas of Azad Kashmir

Current publications/ Case reports

Epidermolysis bullosa pruriginosa, LP-LE overlap syndrome, Hidrotic ectodermal dysplasia, Dengue fever, Gouty Tophi, Tuberculosis with various presentations in same family, Scrofuloderma under lying bone and lymph node, Huriez Syndrome.