The National Medical Newspaper CORONAVIRUS IN CONFIRMED CASES 550,540 REPORTED DEATH 11,833 PUNJAB 248,919 159,311

Pakistan’s First ISLAMABAD BALOCHISTAN Independent 41,655 18,840

Medical Periodical from KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA AJK/GB 67,803 9,100 / 4,912 Vol. 53 No. 15 January 15-31, 2021 RECOVERED CASES Published Fortnightly Reg. No. ID. MC-153 ISSN 1728-1520 Controlled Circulation 505,818

*Stats as of 04 February, 2021 - 07:32am, Provided by SMDC to be Federal Government 9-month-old Ministry of National Health Services Regulations & Inside formed with ... 02 adds three hospitals ... 05 conjoined twins ... 12 Coordination, Government of Pakistan

Sindh decides to allocate 95% seats in private medical colleges for locals

MN Report KARACHI - The Sindh government has recently decided to allocate 95 percent of the seats for the local candidates in private medical and dental colleges. ‘Pakistan all set to start vaccination drive in upcoming days’ In the provincial health department's notification, it was made mandatory MN Report age group of 65 and above will However, educational institutions for all Sindh's private medical and ISLAMABAD - The government receive their shots from March. in the four main cities Karachi, dental colleges to give admissions will start vaccinating frontline "The system for vaccination is Hyderabad, Lahore and to at least 95% of candidates who health workers next week while in place. Hundreds of Peshawar will have to follow a have Sindh's domicile. the general population in the vaccination centres in the pattern under which 50 per cent The other five percent of the seats country will be administering of the students will attend have been reserved for other COVID-19 vaccine. Inshallah classes every alternate day. provinces' students. the vaccination of front line Last week, Foreign Minister It should be mentioned here that the health workers will start next Shah Mahmood Qureshi had Sindh cabinet earlier had decided to Founder: Ayaz Mahmood week," Minister for announced that China would establish the Sindh Medical Publisher: M Hassan Mahmood Planning, Development provide 500,000 doses of Commission (SMC) and approved Chief Executive: Syed Hashim Hasan and Special Initiatives coronavirus vaccine to Pakistan that students belonging to Sindh /MedicalNewsPk Asad Umar announced by Jan 31. should get at least 95% seats in the Online Editor: Haseeb Uddin through a tweet An official of the Ministry of /MedicalNewsPk province's private medical and dental Assistant Editor: recently. National Health Services, institutions. Dr Muattar Hanif People falling in the requesting not to be named, Previously in October 2020, the Honorary Advisor: Dr Sulman Akhtur low risk category of said, "As many as 400,000 provincial health department had less than 50 years will frontline workers, who are in the announced setting up the Sindh Manager Production & Coordination: M Irfan Ali be vaccinated in the top slot, have registered Medical and Dental Council in the medicalnewspk.com Advertising Manager second half of the themselves and their vaccination same month. Tel: 021-35833172 SM Shakil (0300-2559344) current year. will start in February. Citizens The Pakistan Medical and Dental 021-35872289 Business Executives Moreover, the National over the age of 65 years will be Council had been dissolved and Khawaja Akhlaq Ahmed Command and Operation vaccinated in March while (0342-2393917) replaced by the Pakistan Medical Haroon Rashid Centre decided to open patients, suffering from chronic Commission through a presidential (Islamabad: 0300-9710774) universities and primary and diseases and those over Designing & Layout ordinance in October last year. Sh M Sadiq Ali middle schools from Feb 1. Continued on Page 08 SMDC to be formed with stakeholders’ consultation: Dr Azra Pechuho

MN Report bypass federal legislation and leave benefits in order KARACHI - The Sindh under which MDCAT was to attract human resources. Expert from UK Medical and Dental Council conducted, but we can try The Minister especially is being formulated, and it and put some authority with appreciated the move and highlights factors will be presented for the SMDC to reduce the asked for it to be presented consultation with all difficulties in registration and in the cabinet. contributing to diabetes stakeholders, said Dr Azra more. Vice-Chancellor Prof Tariq Pechuhu, Sindh Minister for She appreciated the Rafi also shared that the MN Report KARACHI - In Pakistan, Diabetes is the fourth highest disease that affects people's lives. The main issue regarding such a condition is the fact that it has been taken far too lightly by people. The general population doesn't seem to grasp the point that the lighter they take diabetes as a life-threatening disease, the harder it will hit in the future. Given that diabetes is also a genetically influential disease, one can still combat it by correcting habits. Referring to the current situation of diabetes in Pakistan, Dr Tabinda, CCST in Diabetes and Endocrinology, South Thames, London and Consultant in Diabetes and Endocrinology, Royal Cornwall Hospital explained that diabetes is a Health while addressing the services of the Founding JSMU was generating 60 condition in which your body is unable to handle Jinnah Sindh Medical Vice-Chancellor, Prof Syed percent of its budget from the sugar levels or glucose. University's fourth senate Muhammad Tariq Rafi, and its own resources as the She was speaking at a live session organised meeting. said that he had been an government grant was by Medical News Pakistan. The moderator for Dr Azra, who is also the Pro- asset who worked hard to reducing steadily. He the event was Mr Yousuf Ali. Chancellor of the University, take the university from one presented the university Dr Tabinda began by explaining, "Diabetes is a said that the Pakistan institute to ten in his tenure. budget of PKR 1.9 billion condition in which your body is unable to handle Medical Commission bill is Earlier, Prof Tariq Rafi with a deficit of PKR 490 the sugar levels or glucose." under study to point out the presented an overview of million, which he was She then went on to explain the normal and lacunae that the SMDC will the past two years of the confident of overcoming abnormal levels of sugar intake. She blamed the seek to fill. It will cover many university's performance. with austerity measures and cultural norms to be the cause for it. other areas like universities He described the the government's grant. He "Letting kids eat fast food all the time just to keep and medical colleges university's efforts to grant posed the question of the them happy is not something to appreciate," Dr affiliations and recognitions, advantages to its contract university's faculty's status Tabinda explained. curriculum, and studies, like employees in the form of as the federal government Dr Tabinda discussed the risk factors that the PMDC. We cannot paid leaves, increments, Continued on Page 08 Continued on Page 08 SHCC shuts down 45 more quack clinics

MN Report Hyderabad and Mirpurkhas improvement in quality practices SHCC, has KARACHI - The Directorate of divisions, where the teams sealed by changing their behavior with registered a Anti-Quackery, Sindh Health Care 45 clinics this past week. A total repeated training and CME total of 155 Commission (SHCC), visited 156 of 4,256 Healthcare (Continued Medical Education) complaints to clinics last week and sealed 45 Establishments (HCEs) have been activities. date, out of more clinics run by quacks. sealed in Sindh so far. The Directorate conducted which 124 The Anti-Quackery teams visited The teams have also issued consecutive smaller complaints have 156 clinics last week in the warnings to 30 HCEs for non- training sessions of been disposed of, compliance in a week. homeopathic 23 complaints are The total warnings physicians and under process, while issued to HCEs to date Hakeems this week 8 are sub-judice. are 2,174. as well. The first Directorate of Directorate of Clinical session was Licensing & Governance & Training conducted on 20 Accreditation, SHCC, met with the team of the January 2021, has received 15 new Aga Khan University where 15 applications for Hospital's homeopathic registration this week. To Microbiologists and the doctors were date, the total number London School of trained, and in another of applications Tropical Medicine to talk session on 21 for about the proposal of January 2021, registration has reached 11,675. training physicians Hakeems was Certificates have been issued (GPs) of Sindh to trained on Minimum Service to 15 HCEs this week, bringing improve their ethical Delivery Standards. the total number of registration practices and an overall The Directorate of Complaints, certificates issued to 10,181.

02 MEDICAL NEWS / January 15-31, 2021 Pakistan faces a shortage of trained Sindh faces a female cardiologists: Experts shortage of

MN Report hepatitis B drugs KARACHI - One in four middle-aged adults in Pakistan MN Report is living with cardiovascular KARACHI - The medicines used to treat diseases, which are the hepatitis B are not available at the hepatitis leading cause of death in the centers run by Director General (DG) country. Even though men and Health Sindh for a month. women are equally susceptible to developing heart diseases, the risk of dying or becoming severely unwell due to heart disease is largely underestimated in women due to under- cardiac symptoms, speakers it is important to have a diagnosis and under- noted. Clinical diagnosis of gendered lens on diagnosis treatment, said speakers at heart disease can be and management of the 2nd Annual challenging as they may cardiovascular disease across Cardiovascular Conference present with atypical the continuum of care." Pulse 2021 held at Aga Khan manifestations of angina such Speakers at the event noted University. as shortness of breath, that there is also a shortage Contrary to the belief that weakness, fainting, nausea, of trained female cardiologists. heart diseases affect only and non-coronary chest pain There are just 60 female men, women are equally at syndrome. Speakers added cardiologists in a country risk. But they face unique sex- that women don't always where almost 30 percent of specific risk factors related to recognize their symptoms as all deaths occur due to Scores of newly screened hepatitis B the early onset of those of heart disease or cardiovascular diseases. Lack patients have been put on waiting all over menstruation, menopause, generally delay seeking of awareness of heart the Sindh province by consultants due to and pregnancy-related medical help due to cultural diseases in women at various the ongoing shortage of medicines in the complications such as barriers that restrict women's levels of the healthcare hepatitis centers. preeclampsia. Women with access to healthcare facilities. system, along with a shortage The newly registered patients at hepatitis diabetes are also more likely They tend to present late in of women specialists, is a centers, including the Dr Ruth Pfau Civil to die from cardiovascular hospitals, thereby increasing detriment to patients seeking Hospital Karachi, Jinnah Postgraduate diseases than men with their chances of subsequent timely care, experts said. Medical Center (JPMC), diabetes. heart failure and mortality. The conference was held in Hospital, and other government hospitals, "Gender matters in the "In addition to late collaboration between AKU are not being provided with medicines manifestation of heart presentation, treatment in Medical College's section of used to treat hepatitis B since one month diseases," said Dr Saira women is less aggressive, cardiology and the department after the end of the stock, causing great Bukhari, an assistant which results in poorer of medicine and was endorsed hardships for the patients. professor of cardiology in outcomes," said Professor by the Scientific Council of The hepatitis center at the Dr Ruth Pfau AKU's department of Zainab Samad, chair of AKU's Women Heart Diseases as Civil Hospital Karachi is registering 25 to medicine. "Awareness of the department of medicine. "Men part of Pakistan Cardiac 35 new hepatitis B patients on a daily differences in the clinical and women may also have Society and Pakistan basis, but they have been put on hold presentation of heart diseases different preferences for their Hypertension League. due to the shortage of medicines used to among men and women is clinical care, and this has The event was attended by treat hepatitis B. key in tackling the burden of implications all the way from cardiologists, postgraduate The shortage of drugs has badly affected disease in the country." how facilities are set up to who trainees, nurses, and other Continued on Page 08 Women often report atypical offers clinical care. This is why healthcare professionals. Senior paramedical staff Major diagnostic machines Ameer Hussain Shah passes away lying idle at CHK MN Report MN Report his funeral KARACHI - The major KARACHI - Senior Paramedical Staff prayers. diagnostic machines of the and founder of the Pakistan Peoples The body of Dr Ruth Pfau Civil Hospital Paramedical Staff, Syed Ameer Syed Karachi (CHK) have been Hussain Shah, recently passed away Ameer lying out of order for the at the age of 56 at the Jinnah Hussain past two years, and the Postgraduate Medical Centre Shah was hospital's administration (JPMC). moved to his has been unable to get them repaired, sources at the CHK He was on a ventilator in Ward 12 of home town in the noted recently. the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Chakwal District of Punjab for burial. The important diagnostic machines of the Radiology Centre (JPMC) for two weeks due to The administration and staff of the Department, like the CT scan and MRI, have not been multiple diseases. JPMC expressed their heartfelt grief operational for two years. The incumbent administration of His funeral prayer was held at at the sad demise of Syed Ameer the hospital was unable to get the equipment repaired Hussain Hazara Goth, Gulshan-e- Hussain Shah and prayed his soul despite the lapse of two years. Iqbal. A large number of doctors, rests in eternal peace, and the Similarly, modern gamma camera devices and angiography paramedical staff, and supporters of bereaved family finds the courage to machines are also not functioning at the Cardiology the Pakistan People's Party attended bear this shock. Continued on Page 08 MEDICAL NEWS / January 15-31, 2021 03 13 more COVID patients NICVD responds to PTI leader Haleem dead, 635 others infected Adil Shaikh’s press conference

by AK Lodhi MN Report rationale behind the "All allegations against the KARACHI - The allegations, stating that how NICVD and its director, Prof MN Report spokesperson of the National could be corruption rampant Nadeem Qamar, are false," KARACHI - As Institute of Cardiovascular in an institution that had the spokesman contended, many as 13 more Diseases (NICVD) issued a provided medical services to adding that Prof Qamar had patients of the recent statement refuting all over 2.3 million people for free been appointed as the coronavirus died allegations of corruption at during the past year. hospital's head after the overnight, lifting the the facility. The NICVD did not provide fulfillment of all legal death toll to 3,888. Moreover, 635 new cases emerged after 6,041 tests were conducted. This was stated by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah in a recently issued statement. He added that 13 more patients of COVID-19 lost their lives, lifting the death toll to 3,888 that constituted a 1.6 percent death rate. Shah said that 6,041 samples were tested, which detected 635 cases that constituted a 10.5 percent current detection rate. He added that so far, 2,632,545 tests have been conducted against which 240,570 cases were The allegations were made free treatment in the past, but requirements. diagnosed, of which 91 percent or by the Pakistan Tehreek-e- since 2017, the NICVD has No one's salary in the NICVD 218,688 patients have recovered, Insaf parliamentary leader in been providing free treatment is 6 million, there is no truth including 825 overnight. the Sindh Assembly, Haleem to children and adults who in such allegations, and the The CM said that currently, 17,994 Adil Sheikh, during a recent have heart diseases, and the salaries you are talking about patients were under treatment; of them, press conference. hospital now provides state- are not for one hospital but 17,059 were in home isolation, 13 at In the statement, the of-the-art cardiology facilities the salaries of the employees isolation centers, and 922 at different spokesman said that the 24 hours a day. of 28 hospitals of the NICVD, hospitals. He added that the condition of allegations were made to Every year millions of patients including professors, doctors, 848 patients was stated to be critical, serve "political interests." benefit from this expensive nurses, and other staff. including 85 who have been shifted to It further pointed out that treatment of heart disease, All the staff, including the ventilators. Haleem Adil Sheikh, who had angioplasty, heart bypass, director, are performing their According to the statement, out of 635 cited details from a report of and expensive life-saving duties 24 hours a day in this new cases, 491 have been detected from the Auditor General, failed to devices are also given to the dangerous situation of Karachi, including 271 from East, 134 acknowledge that the report patients absolutely free of COVID-19 and providing South, 33 Central, 22 West, 17 Malir, and included observations, which cost. uninterrupted modern heart 14 . Hyderabad has 104, Shaheed will be replied to once the After shifting from the treatment services to the Benazirabad 13, Jamshoro, Ghotki, report has been received. The federation to the province, the people of the country in all 28 Larkana, Dadu, and Badin two each, and Auditor-General issues such Sindh government paid close centers of the NICVD. Khairpur, Shikarpur, Sukkur, Tando observations to all attention to the NICVD, as it It stated that the opposition Allahyar, and Mirpurkhas one each. government departments. is a heart hospital, and it is in Sindh should stop targeting The chief minister urged the people of The spokesman of the NICVD very important to save human the NICVD "just to put down the province to follow SOPs. further questioned the life here. the provincial government." SBTA seals 13 illegal blood banks, issues warnings to 30 others

MN Report SBTA in the year 2004 till 2020, therapy during the KARACHI - The Sindh Blood the teams had visited 402 blood first phase of Transfusion Authority (SBTA) has banks, out of which 165 were COVID-19, sealed 13 unauthorized blood approved among registered blood where banks across the Sindh province banks (32 public, 82 private, & 51 the in 2020, while warnings were NGO). A total of 237 illegal and issued to 30 registered blood unauthorized blood banks were banks over various irregularities. closed so far, out of which 34 were The SBTA teams inspected and registered, and 203 were monitored a total of 293 blood substandard/illegal (14 public, 178 plasma, banks in 2020, out of which 13 private, & 45 NGO). social illegal blood banks were sealed (7 The SBTA also conducted a success distancing in Ghotki, three in Rohri, and three seroprevalence study for rate was practices, and in Sukkur), while warnings were evaluating the prevalence rate of found to be PPE utilization. also issued to 30 registered blood COVID-19 among donors coming around 74 There was also a banks, including 14 in Karachi, 11 to the regional blood centers in percent. In terms of special emphasis on in Hyderabad, two Khairpur, two the last year. The SBTA also robust communication, awareness implementing safety measures in Mirpurkhas, and one in played an active role in treating measures were provided for a related to COVID-19 in all the Jamshoro. patients through convalescence voluntary non-remunerated blood establishments of the Since the establishment of the plasma passive immunization donation of blood, convalescent province. 04 MEDICAL NEWS / January 15-31, 2021 MN Report Services Regulations and KARACHI - "The Karachi Cancer Coordination', Islamabad. Registry (KCR) reveals that oral Karachi Cancer Registry The KCR started the collection of cancer, a largely preventable, is cancer data from 2017 and invited the leading cancer in Karachi adult records 33,309 all cancer diagnosing and treating males while in female adults, hospitals to send data on a breast cancer is the leading cancer voluntary basis, he added. The followed by oral cancer. malignant cases objective of the KCR is to collect From January 2017 till December cancer data from major cancer 2019, a total of 33,309 malignant diagnosing and treating hospitals cases were recorded in the KCR of Karachi, he stated. database comprising 17,490 (52.5 He pointed out that from January percent) females and 15,819 (47.5 2017 till December 2019, a total percent) males. of 33,309 malignant cases were As per the KCR, this alarming recorded in the KCR database, scenario demands urgent attention which shows an alarming situation. to increasing awareness about This situation also reveals that in healthy lifestyle and highly adverse children and adolescents, bone, effects of chewing various leukemia, and brain/CNS ingredients on one hand and malignancies are most common, screening programs for early he said. He said, "Colo-rectal (large detection of breast and oral cancer intestine) cancer is on the rise in on the other." both genders. Liver cancer is also Dr Shahid Pervez, Chair of Karachi National Cancer Registry, said that He maintained that cancer a very common cancer due to a Cancer Registry, and Professor at cancer was the second leading registries were the foremost high burden of Hepatitis B & C in the Department of Pathology & cause of death in Pakistan, while requirement for 'Cancer Control our population." Laboratory Medicine, Aga Khan the same disease was the leading Programs' in any country like This alarming scenario demands University Hospital, Karachi, cause of death in developed 'Prevention' and 'Screening.' the urgent attention of the expressed these views while counties. Cancer registries also own a concerned authorities to increase speaking at the online public He said that the purpose of the purpose to prioritize government awareness about healthy lifestyles awareness seminar on "Cancer cancer registries was to collect the policies and fund allocation, he and the highly adverse effects of and the Karachi Cancer Registry" cancer incidence data to provide said, adding that in that way, the chewing various ingredients, Prof held at the Dr Panjwani Center for essential information to healthcare burden of cancer is reduced. Pervez said. Molecular Medicine and Drug providers, government, and He informed participants that the In the face of such a high risk and Research (PCMD), University of researchers to identify major risk KCR was a part of the 'National burden of various types of cancers Karachi recently. factors in a population, based on Cancer Registry' established under and no screening programs ever Prof Pervez, who is also Co-Chair their lifestyle. the ministry of 'National Health Continued on Page 08 Dr Arshad Mahmood passes Federal Government adds three away due to COVID-19 hospitals to MTI hospitals MN Report MN Report KARACHI - Former Program Manager of Medical Teaching Institutes undertake all functions the Sindh AIDS Control Program (SACP), KARACHI - Three major Ordinance, 2020 (Ordinance required for providing health Dr Arshad Mahmood, has passed away after public sector hospitals of No XII of 2020). facilities and healthcare succumbing to the coronavirus (COVID-19). Karachi have been added to The names of institutes are services to the people and to the Federal Medical Teaching Jinnah Postgraduate Medical provide medical education Institutes (MTI) list, which will Centre (JPMC), National and training and research and be run under the Board of Institute of Cardiovascular to perform such other Governors (BoGs) after Diseases (NICVD), National functions as are assigned to notification. it by the government from The Federal Government time to time. has added three Under the MTI Act, the hospitals, including the teaching institutes shall Jinnah Postgraduate retain receipts from Dr Arshad Mahmood passed away due to Medical Centre, National various fees levied by the respiratory complications after contracting Institute of government or the board COVID-19. He was the former provincial Cardiovascular to meet the recurring and manager of the Sindh AIDS Control Program. Diseases, and National development His funeral prayers were held after Namaz- Institute of Child Health expenditure of medical e-Zohar at the Ghazali Masjid, Block 13-D, in the Federal Medical Institute of Child Health teaching institutions. Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Karachi. The burial Teaching Institutes Ordinance, (NICH), and Sheikh Zayed It said that the employees who ceremony will be held at the Sakhi Hasan 2020 (Ordinance No XII of Postgraduate Medical Institute opt for private practice within graveyard. 2020). (SZPGMI), Lahore. the premises of the hospital Till now, 184 healthcare professionals have The notification issued by the As MTIs, they will be allowed clinics, imaging facilities, and lost their lives due to COVID-19 in Pakistan, Ministry of National Health to charge fees from the laboratories of the MTI might out of which 157 doctors and 27 other Services, Regulation & patients visiting to run the be entitled to such an increase medical staff members. Forty-eight doctors Coordination (NHSRC), with hospitals' expenditure. Earlier, in salary, adjustment, have lost their lives during the second wave, the approval of the cabinet as the hospitals took no or bonuses, or other benefits as which started in November. conveyed vide cabinet division nominal charges against the board may approve. In Sindh, as many as 56 healthcare workers memorandum No. Dy 1044 providing medical services to It said that all employees hired have died due to the coronavirus across the (S) 2020-cab dated 29 the public. after this act's commencement Sindh province so far, out of which 50 were December 2020; the following According to the bill of Medical shall be expected to perform doctors, and six were other medical staff. institutions have been added Teaching Institutes, the their private practice within in the schedule of Federal objective of this shall be to Continued on Page 08

MEDICAL NEWS / January 15-31, 2021 05 Women and children need Sindh forms committee special attention: Former MPA, to ensure supply of Mehtab Akbar Rashdi oxygen to hospitals MN Report KARACHI - The supply of oxygen to MN Report public and private sector hospitals of KARACHI - Medical Karachi has been resumed following professionals recently examined the Sindh Health Department's and treated scores of villagers intervention. of Goth and surrounding areas in a free medical camp at the Sindh Government Hospital arranged by Green Star, a non-governmental organization. The medical team, including the specialists of various diseases, provided treatment and medicine to the poor patients of the area. Several patients were past many days, but she could and family health sector have In this connection, the Sindh Health referred to hospitals, while not visit any physician as she no parallel, and hence we are Department has constituted a three- others were asked for follow- seriously lacked the money to confident for a brighter and member committee to ensure an ups. bear the medical expenses. healthier Pakistan ahead. uninterrupted supply of oxygen to the The doctors and medical "Doctors at the free medical Former Member of Sindh hospitals during a protest or sit-in. experts carried physical camp thoroughly examined and Assembly, Mehtab Akbar The committee members will ensure examination of patients suffering treated her son, free of cost, Rashdi, said that the free coordination among law enforcement from hypertension, diabetes and with due respect. medical camp was very agencies, hospital administration, and mellitus, breast cancer, and Another female patient said that important for the residents of oxygen suppliers. The names of the tuberculosis. she was examined at the free underprivileged areas. She said three-member committee are Dr Rehri Goth is among the most medical camp by doctors, and that hundreds of women in the Dabeer Ahmed Khan, Dr Sikander Ali dilapidated and ignored area of the free medical camp camp showed the dismal affairs Memon, and Dr Syed Ashiq Hussain Karachi which populous is living organizers also gave her free of the health system in the area. Shah. beneath the poverty line and medicines. She urged the area elders to Earlier, oxygen supply and distribution hence the Green Star's free Green Star CEO, Aziz Ur Rab, look after the health of women companies temporarily suspended the medical camps at Rehri Goth said that the Green Star is at and children. supply of oxygen to Karachi's was not less than a blessing. the service of the deserving It is pertinent to mention that hospitals, including the Dr Ruth Pfau A mother of an ailing child who people of Pakistan for the past the Green Star maintained all Civil Hospital Karachi (CHK), due to came to the free medical camp three decades. The Green Star's necessary SOPs at the free Continued on Page 08 told that her son was ill for the services in the family planning medical camp.

MN Report PRCS invites religious Lahore are among the most KARACHI - The Pakistan Red polluted cities in the world with Crescent Society (PRCS), Sindh, scholars to raise awareness the worst air quality, so now recently held a coordination climate change should be meeting with renowned religious about climate change everyone's priority. scholars and other stakeholders She uttered that the role of Ulema at a local hotel to raise awareness in raising awareness about about climate change. climate change is of paramount The event was presided by the importance and will be even more Chairman, PRCS-Sindh, Mrs critical in the years to come. This Shahnaz S Hamid, and attended challenge could be effectively by former Federal Minister and tackled if the Ulema sensitizes Chairman of Al-Mustafa Welfare the public in their Jumma Society, Haji Muhammad Hanif sermons. "Based on the Tayyab, Mufti Muhammad Zubair, discussion with participants, we Maulana Abdul Waheed, Qazi can start a climate change Ahmed Noorani, Maulana campaign by adopting a park," Muhammad Salafi, Maulana suggested Chairman, PRCS- Tanveer-ul-Haq Thanvi, Dr Mohsin Sindh. Naqvi, Secretary Council of Mufti Zubair and others also Islamic Ideology, Dr Ikram ul Haq, sermons and other addresses. team an opportunity to ascertain appreciated the PRCS initiative besides a large number of Chairman Mrs Shahnaz said that our unified commitment for and vowed to provide assistance renowned religious scholars from the PRCS had joined the cause working on climate change in any way that they could. "The different sects and people from with the collaboration of its partner adaptation," she added. PRCS deserves the highest different professions. national Society-Germany and "We must increase resilience accolade for creating awareness The purpose of this coordination adopting the community-based against it by building adaptive among the public about this meeting was to get the approach. "Our commitment to capacity, but the most imperative serious environmental problem," encouragement and consent of climate change starts with the part is to develop awareness said Haji Muhammad Hanif religious scholars to help inform launch of the Climate Advocacy campaigns for behavioral Tayyab. the public about climate change and Coordination for Resilient change," said the Chairman. She The coordination meeting was and its effects through their Friday Action (CACRA), which gives our further said that Karachi and Continued on Page 08

06 MEDICAL NEWS / January 15-31, 2021 Shortage of clean drinkable water is More than 24,568 dog bite cases recorded creating health social issues: Khalid Iraqi in Karachi MN Report MN Report KARACHI - A great amount of KARACHI - Up to 24,568 dog bite water is wasted every day in our society, and unfortunately, cases were reported across concerned departments and Karachi in 2020, while the Sindh masses are not taking this Health Department has failed to matter seriously. According to establish vaccination centers in research conducted recently, district hospitals for dog-victims in there will be an acute shortage the city. of water in Pakistan in the next ten years. The governmental offices, non- governmental organizations, civic activists, and the public have to create awareness about the proper use of water, and federal and provincial governments should work together to save water water filter plant. Ehsan Development Welfare In Karachi, out of 24,568 cases, supplying sources and supplies. The KU VC, Professor Dr Khalid Organization, Mushtaq Ahmed 8,467 dog-bite cases were We have to educate our children Iraqi, observed that the shortage Qureshi, briefed the audience recorded at the Jinnah about the importance of water of clean drinkable water begets about the background of the Postgraduate Medical Centre in our lives, and the public health and social issues. He trust and said that they are (JPMC), around 7,887 at the Dr should realize that we should stressed the need for an working on a project to make Ruth Pfau Civil Hospital Karachi, not use wastewater. Awareness efficient water management Tharparkar district self-sufficient 6,000 at the Indus Hospital Karachi, about the proper use of water system is badly needed, and green. 1,614 at the Shaheed Mohtarma among children from a young coupled with an effective water He said that the charitable Benazir Bhutto (SMBB) Institute of age would help society in monitoring system. organization has so far installed Trauma, 300 cases at districts preventing water wastage in the He said that practical steps are 88 reserve osmosis plants, hospitals, and 300 at the Karachi country. needed to be taken to stop the open a school, and conduct a Metropolitan Corporation(KMC) run These views were expressed wastage of water so that we couple of free medical camps hospitals of the city. by the Vice-Chancellor of the could conserve water, which is while distributed a good amount Rabies is a preventable disease University of Karachi, Professor one of the most precious of facemasks and food supplies transmitted to humans through the Dr Khalid Mahmood Iraqi. He commodities of nature. The during the Covid19 pandemic stressed the importance of Dean, Faculty of Pharmacy, in different locations of bite of infected animals. However, water in the lives of humans at Prof Dr Faiyaz Vaid, Prof Dr Tharparkar. in Pakistan, 99% of the cases are the inaugural ceremony of the Muhammad Harris Shoaib, "This is our first project at the caused by dog bites. water filtration plant, which has Students Advisor, Dr Syed Asim University of Karachi, and we Presently, dog bite cases are being been established near the new Ali, Chairman, Department of have installed an ultra-water reported from slum areas of building of the Faculty of Computer Science, Dr Nadeem filtration plant for students, Ibrahim , Korangi, Surjani, Pharmacy. The Ehsan Mehmood, and others were also visitors, and others. We hope North Karachi, New Karachi, Development Welfare present on this occasion. that we will be able to do more Baldia, Orangi, , Organization has set-up the Earlier, the Honorary Secretary, projects with Karachi University." Mehmoodabad, , Federal B Area, , Orangi, Golimar, and other areas. KU declares the result of MBBS Final The Sindh Health Department and Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) have miserably failed to Professional Annual Examination 2020 launch a comprehensive campaign against stray dogs. Presently, the MN Report anti-rabies vaccination is available KARACHI - The University of at Karachi's three major health Karachi recently announced the facilities, including the Jinnah results of the MBBS Final Postgraduate Medical Centre, Dr Professional Annual Examination Ruth Pfau Civil Hospital Karachi, 2020. Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto The KU Controller of Examinations, (SMBB) Institute of Trauma, and Dr Syed Zafar Hussain, mentioned Indus Hospital (TIH) free of cost that 297 candidates were registered, for dog bite victims. and all of them appeared in the In Sindh, an estimated 175,000 papers. He said that 238 candidates dog-bite cases were registered were declared pass while the overall across the province in 2020, out pass percentage was 80.13 percent. of which the majority of dog-bite According to the gazette issued, Ayesha Liaquat, daughter of Syed Liaquat Ahmed, seat number cases were reported in Karachi, 203049 and a student of Karachi Medical and Dental College, secured 1472 marks out of a total Naushero Feroze, Khairpur, of 1800 marks and clinched the first position. Kashmore, Dadu, and other Moreover, Aiman Razzaq, daughter of Abdur Razzaq, seat number 203046, and a student of the districts. KMDC, bagged the second position with 1434 marks. Furthermore, Iqra Faraz Hussain, daughter In 2019, a total of 195,761 dog- of Faraz Hussain, seat number 203103, and a student of the KMDC, scored 1423 marks and the bite cases were registered in Sindh. third position.

MEDICAL NEWS / January 15-31, 2021 07 Pakistan all set to start ... Sindh faces a shortage of ... Therefore, the CHK's 9-month-old conjoined ... Continued from front page Continued from page 03 management was unable to get Continued from page 12 50 years, will get the shots in the the program performance as the these diagnostic machines Gastrointestinal Surgery and next phase. The population below treatment of hepatitis patients is repaired. Neurosurgery amongst those on 50 years and included in the low- very costly, and a large number of Acting Medical Superintendent, stand-by. The nature of this risk category will get the vaccine patients cannot afford the CHK, Dr Noor Muhmmad Soomro, surgery is such that it demands in the second half of 2021," the treatment cost of this viral disease. was not available for comments. double the amount of resources official said. The shortage of medicines has and concurrent functioning of all put the lives of scores of patients Karachi Cancer Registry ... teams to manage and save both SMDC to be formed with ... suffering from hepatitis C at risk. Continued from page 05 lives. Continued from page 02 More than 61 treatment centers in place, government attention at Prior to the surgery, an advanced According to the data shared by were established at teaching, both provincial and central levels imaging and three-dimensional the NCOC, 1,563 Covid-19 cases district, and tehsil hospital levels is urgently needed at preventive, prototyping were used to fully and 74 deaths were reported in a (screening, vaccination diagnostic early diagnostic (screening) as understand the nature of the single day. & treatment services provide), well as interventional levels, he conjoining, the expertise required, assumes control of the Jinnah while 17 screening and vaccination added. and the necessary reshuffling of Postgraduate Medical Center, the centers are working (screening the resources. Dr Zafar Nazir, Sindh Medical College's teaching and vaccination against hepatitis Federal Government adds ... Paediatric Surgeon at the Aga hospital. B). Continued from page 05 Khan University Hospital, led the Dr Azra Pechuho termed it a Media Coordinator, Hepatitis the MTI hospitals, clinics, imaging efforts to perform the 8 hour-long problem and said that her ministry Prevention & Control Program, facilities, and laboratories and surgery with the support of over was constantly working to find a Sindh, Khurram Khan, was not shall not be permitted private 50 clinical and administrative solution to the faculty status after available for comments. staff. the institution's transfer under Committee formed to ... 'This is a rare surgery that the federal control. Major diagnostic machines ... Continued from page 06 Hospital has performed for the Continued from page 03 Expert from UK highlights ... practice outside these facilities. second time. A tremendous Department, CHK, for one and a the ongoing protests and sit-ins amount of effort went into the Continued from page 02 half years. The hospital's at different places in Karachi. rearrangement of the resources, contribute to Diabetes. She told management was unable to get The delivery vehicles are unable both inside and outside the that with age, the tendency to deal this costly equipment repaired. to reach the hospitals for supplies. Operating Room. But, at the end with sugar slows down once grown The CHK is Sindh's largest An administrative official at the of this procedure, it was a joy to up. The family history matters in teaching hospital where a score Civil Hospital Karachi (CHK) said watch both the boys get a new diabetes. She said that type 1 of patients is brought every day that the oxygen supply had been life', commented Dr Zafar Nazir diabetes can be traced early and from different areas of Karachi restored to the hospital following as he recalled the events of the hence by exercising regularly, the and the Sindh province; some of the Sindh Health Department's treatment. risk can be reduced. Literacy them need diagnostic services intervention and the formation of The role of the anaesthesiologists regarding the topic is of high such as angiography, CT scan, was of great significance, as they importance. Urban areas are riskier MRI, and gamma camera. PRCS invites religious ... had to ensure that both the than rural areas because of food Patients are being referred to Continued from page 06 babies were stable throughout complexity and less physical work. other public and private sector the committee in this regard. the procedure. "The perioperative "Every 1 out of 4 people in Sindh hospitals due to the non- also attended by the care of Ayan and Aman was like are either suffering from diabetes availability of diagnostic facilities. representatives of the NED no other. As they were joined at or likely to be diabetic soon." Private labs charge heavy fees University, Karachi University, the torso and facing each other, She also addressed Type1 and for conducting diagnostics tests, Bahria University, Institute of a complete incision required Type2 of diabetes. Explaining that which are out of the reach of poor Oceanography Pakistan, Sindh flipping them around. Therefore, she's not anti-corporate but fast- patients. Environmental Protection Agency we could not have intubated food chains are not healthy at all. The Sindh government has (SEPA), Provincial Disaster them, as it would have hampered "Don't call it McDonald's, call it allocated 24 million for the Management Authority (PDMA), the movement. We opted for an McDiabetes. 2000 calories per maintenance and repair of out of Pakistan Boy Scouts Association, intravenous drug and ensured a meal. By walking just 1km, you order equipment each year. The Federal Civil Defense Training thoroughly managed sedation only burn 50 calories." repairing charges of diagnostics School, Pakistan Meteorological throughout the procedure," Lastly, Dr Tabinda stressed upon machines, however, have Department, Urban Forest, and recalled Dr Faisal Shamim, healthy eating and abstained from increased with the passage of time senior journalists from various Anaesthesiologist at Aga Khan the intake greasy dishes. and increase in dollar value. media houses. University Hospital. Israr Ahmed and his wife are not the only parents to have gone through this pain and suffering of finding the appropriate treatment. There are many such families who are in dire need to receive compassionate care and high- quality treatment. Treating such rare and critical health conditions offers the experts at the Aga Khan University Hospital a commendable opportunity to test and enhance our systems and capabilities and learn to design innovative health solutions for our people in Pakistan. But, most importantly, it gives us immense joy to watch distressed families go back home healthy and happy with their loved ones. go back home healthy and happy with their loved ones.

08 MEDICAL NEWS / January 15-31, 2021 29,924 medico-legal cases reported in 2020

MN Report KARACHI - As many as 29,924 cases were reported in the medico-legal centre of Karachi in 2020, out of which 13 exhumations and 1292 postmortems were also carried out last year. According to the annual report issued by Police Surgeon Karachi, Dr Hamid Z Jillani, a total of 29,924 people were reported in the medico-legal centers of Karachi, including three major centers, namely the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center, Dr Province-wide Ruth Pfau Civil Hospital Karachi, and Abbasi Shaheed Hospital. anti-polio drive to begin from Jan 11th

MN Report The campaign will be reported a single case of KARACHI - The Emergency conducted whilst following polio since July 2020. If we Operation Centre for Polio strict WHO recommended continue with the same in Sindh will launch a COVID prevention protocols, momentum, we will soon see province-wide polio which include the wearing of significant results. While we campaign from 11th to 17th masks by workers, their deal with the pandemic, we While six minor medico-legal sections, January 2021 as part of the temperatures being checked must also deal with which are the Sindh Government Lyari national immunization before deployment, not childhood immunization to General Hospital, Sindh Government campaign. handling children directly, prevent childhood diseases. Hospital , Sindh Government This is the first campaign of not entering houses, Children can be saved from Hospital Liaquatabad, Sindh Government 2021 in which polio drops spending limited time with childhood diseases like polio Qatar Hospital Orangi, Sindh Government will be given to families, knocking on doors through vaccination, and we Hospital Korangi, and Sindh Government approximately 9 million with pens, rulers or elbows seek the media's help to Hospital New Karachi. children under five years of rather than hands while raise awareness regarding As many as 29,924 medico-legal and age across 29 districts of the reducing the length of this." postmortem examination cases were province. Out of these, more meetings and attendance in Pakistan is one of the two registered in the city in 2020, out of which than 2 million children reside meetings. polio-endemic countries in 17,726 medico-legal and 1292 postmortem in Karachi. To further boost Spokesperson EOC Sindh the world along with cases. 13 exhumation cases were also immunity, children from six said, "As a result of the Afghanistan and has so far conducted in 2020. months to five years of age pandemic, the gap in reported a total of 84 polio In Karachi, out of the 17,726 medico-legal will also be provided with campaigns from March to cases in 2020, out of which cases, 15,839 were of hard and blunt vitamin A drops. July coupled with routine 22 cases are from Sindh. assault, 538 were of sharp-edge, 1100 immunization The Pakistan Pediatric were of firearms, 12 of explosives, 17 of being affected Association, Pakistan human-bite, 23 of maltreatment, five dog- left an Medical Islamic Medical bites, and 197 were brought dead to the immunity Association, medical experts centers in 2020. gap in across the world, and major Around 2,495 road traffic accidents, 25 children religious scholars in Pakistan railway accidents, 402 burn incidents, 169 which we and across the region fall incidents, four factory accidents, and have been endorse the oral polio 962 dead bodies were reported in Karachi's addressing vaccine, which is the safest ML centers in 2020. 316 sexual assault through and most effective for not active (rape) and 455 passive cases back to back only preventing polio but also reported last year. 101 (active) sodomy monthly polio eradicating it from the and 137 passive cases were also reported. campaigns environment. Ten billion As many as 6,369 poison cases, 291 of since August doses of this vaccine have alcohol, 28 of drugs, and 323 miscellaneous 2020. Thanks been given to 3 billion cases were reported in the last year as to these children across the world in well. campaigns, the last decade, as a result The report further stated that 612 people Sindh has of which 10 million polio died during treatment in different hospitals. not cases have been avoided.

MEDICAL NEWS / January 15-31, 2021 09 AKU wins grant to develop new, targeted stem cell treatments for blood cancer

MN Report 22 break and exchange KARACHI - AKU's Centre portions, which leads to the for Regenerative Medicine creation of a new fusion and Stem Cell Research gene called BCR-ABL. (CRM) has won a PKR This fusion causes certain 14.5 million grant to blood cells to become develop new, targeted cancerous. therapies for a common It is the main cause of the form of blood cancer in common CML in adults and adults, Philadelphia accounts for 20 percent of chromosome-positive (Ph+ ALL) cases globally. (Ph+) leukemia. Generally, Ph+ ALL and The chromosomal defect advanced forms of CML is known as the are difficult to cure, and Philadelphia chromosome survival rates are poor. (Ph) is a characteristic of AKU researchers are two important types of looking to develop a more blood cancer: chronic effective treatment by myeloid leukemia (CML) engineering stem cells to and Ph-positive acute deliver a protein with lymphoblastic leukemia therapeutic properties, the approaches in molecular that has the potential to be disease. (Ph+ ALL). The Ph Helix 2 peptide, directly to medicine and stem cell more convenient for the This innovative use of stem chromosome is formed the leukemia cells. therapy to create a more patient since it will only cells will also generate when chromosomes 9 and "We aim to combine precise form of treatment require a single evidence on the use of administration," says Dr peptides to provide Afsar Mian, the principal targeted treatment in other investigator of the study. types of cancers. In the "We are anticipating that future, Dr Mian and his once introduced, the stem team seek to combine their cells will grow and multiply expertise in cancer in the body and research as well as drug continuously release the design and delivery to see therapeutic peptide to if such approaches can be target the cancer cells, used to treat other inhibit their growth, and diseases. ultimately cure the The grant was awarded by disease." the Higher Education Existing medicines for Ph+ Commission of Pakistan's leukemia are currently flagship National Research proving to be less effective Programme for Universities due to growing drug that seeks to support high- resistance and the problem level and promising of side effects. Also, they scientific research projects require life-long use by the that demonstrate strategic patient and do not lead to relevance and impact to complete eradication of the local industry and society.

ANNOUNCEMENT Dr Dur-e-Naz posted as Secretary SBTA KARACHI - The Services General Administration & Coordination Department Sindh has posted Dr Dur-e-Naz Baloch as Secretary Sindh Blood Transfusion Authority (SBTA) until further order. As per the notification, Dr Dur-e-Naz Baloch, Senior Female Medical Officer (BS-19) having seniority number 61 presently posted as the Chief Woman Officer, Dr Ruth K M Pfau Civil Hospital Karachi (CHK), has been transferred and posted with immediate effect and until further order as Secretary (BS-20), Sindh Blood Transfusion Authority, Karachi, as per the government's approved policy for the general cadre doctors (BS-19) of the Sindh Health Department.

10 MEDICAL NEWS / January 15-31, 2021 MEDICAL NEWS / January 15-31, 2021 11 Japan provides $4.57m Nation observes grant for procurement of World Braille Day MN Report LAHORE - World Braille Day was observed throughout the country on polio vaccine doses Monday. Braille is a code consisting of symbols, written in the form of raised dots. It added immense value to the MN Report lives of the visually-impaired. ISLAMABAD - The It is pertinent mention that World Braille Government of Japan Day is observed on 4th January every Wednesday provided a grant year because it's the birthday of Louis of US $4.57 million for Braille, the inventor of Braille system. procurement of 23.66 million doses of oral polio vaccine as part of its support to Pakistan's polio eradication interventions during 2021. Notes of the grant were signed and exchanged between the Government of Japan and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), and between Japan July 2020 due to COVID-19, vaccination amid the Unfortunately, visually impaired people International Cooperation but services resumed after prevailing risk of COVID-19. in Punjab do not have access to books Agency (JICA) and UNICEF. mid-July to get vaccines to He added, "Japan remains in Braille. Braille has been included in The grant will allow the polio children countrywide. "Polio committed to assisting the article 2 of the Convention on the Rights programme to reach under 5 eradication is a top priority of people of Pakistan, together of Persons with Disabilities as a form years-old children living in the government. We are with UNICEF, in their goal of of necessitating "education, freedom districts with persistent grateful to the people and the eradicating polio." of expression and opinion, as well as poliovirus transmission. Government of Japan for their "With this grant aid, JICA will social inclusion". Pakistan is facing a generous support and am assist vaccine procurement General Secretary Pakistan Association challenging situation in polio confident that we will reach for children living in high-risk for the Blind, Usman has written several eradication; 84 polio cases the milestone of polio-free areas through UNICEF. The letters to the Special Education (as of January 19, 2021) have Pakistan and world," said Dr. road towards polio eradication Department since 2018 for the provision been reported including 26 Faisal Sultan, Special might be rough and steep. of books in Braille to the visually from Balochistan, 22 each Assistant to the Prime Minister However, we will fight impaired children in Jhang but the from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on National Health Services. together for the earliest requests were always turned down. and Sindh, and 14 from Japanese Ambassador to realization of polio-free "Braille books are not even there in Punjab. The Polio programme Pakistan Matsuda Kuninori Pakistan," said Shigeki government schools for the blind," suspended vaccination paid tribute to frontline polio Furuta, JICA Chief Usman says from Jhang. activities from March to mid- workers engaged in Representative.

MN Report congenital anomaly, with an overall KARACHI - Muhammad Ayan and 9-month-old incidence of 1 in 250,000 births. Muhammad Aman, born as This happens when the embryo conjoined twins to Mr and Mrs Israr does not separate successfully in Ahmed, are now living as two conjoined twins the mother's womb to form two healthy children after a successful individuals. Although there is no separation surgery performed at known cause for the conjoining, it the Aga Khan University Hospital successfully separated can be diagnosed early in the (AKUH). pregnancy through an ultrasound. Ayan and Aman were While surgery is the only method Omphalopagus type of conjoined of separating the conjoined twins, twins, in which the bodies of the it cannot be performed in all cases. two are joined at the abdomen, This is because the complexity of and several internal organs are and survival rates after the surgery shared, including the liver and depends primarily upon the joining sometimes the intestines. The twin sites and the type and number of brothers shared a small portion of organs joined internally. the liver. To perform this exceptionally 'It was an extremely challenging difficult surgery, a multi-disciplinary journey for us. Before coming to team of highly skilled healthcare AKUH, I had a dream that Ayan experts came together to and Aman were separate. That meticulously plan and organize dream gave me hope', said Israr, their efforts. These teams included while narrating the events that led doctors, nurses, and technicians him to AKUH. 'My family and I were for us. But, my Allah made the Aga expenses, as they would be taken from Paediatric Surgery, convinced that this hospital is for Khan University Hospital the savior care of by the Patient Welfare Anaesthesiology, and Radiology the rich, and receiving treatment of my children. The doctors told Program.' amongst active participants, and from here will never be a possibility us to not worry about the Conjoined twinning is a very rare Continued on Page 08 12 MEDICAL NEWS / January 15-31, 2021

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