The National Medical Newspaper

Pakistan’s First Independent Medical Periodical from Karachi Vol. 52 No. 18 March 1-14, 2020 Published Fortnightly Reg. No. ID. MC-153 ISSN 1728-1520 Controlled Circulation

3rd Pakistan Health KMDC celebrated Fear of People should make Inside Care Summit 02 the achievers of ... 03 Coronavirus 06 their own masks ... 09 Pakistan braces Degradation of medical journals for Coronavirus draw PMA's ire First case confirmed by officials MN Report KARACHI - The Pakistan Medical Association MN Report health department is in the according to clinical standard, (PMA) expressed its KARACHI - Two coronavirus process of examining all the protocols. "Both patients are concern over the cases have recently surfaced passengers who travelled with in stable condition, the PM degradation of all of in country- one in Karachi and them. advisor further said. There is Pakistan's index medical other in Islamabad, top health Earlier, Advisor to Prime no need of indulging in panic journals by the Higher officials confirmed. Minister, Zaffar Mirza, also as things are under control," Education Commission (HEC) and A young man, who he said. demanded the early withdrawal of this recently arrived in Globally, 81,291 people unwise decision. Karachi from Iran have been diagnosed Secretary-General, PMA Centre, Dr S M becomes the first with the coronavirus Qaisar Sajjad, Chairman, Editorial Board, confirmed coronavirs disease out of which JPMA, Dr Sarwar Jamil Siddiqui, Editor-in- case, a Sindh health 2,770 have died while Chief, JPMA, Dr Fatema Jawad, and department official told. 30,359 were recovered Treasurer, PMA Centre, Dr Qazi Coordinator to the Sindh from the disease. The Muhammad Wasiq stated this, in a joint Health Minister, Meeran sign and symptoms of press conference held at the PMA House Yousuf told that a 22- coronavirus are fever, in Karachi. year-old youth, Yaha cough, sore throat, pain While addressing the conference, the Jaffari, has been history in body, nausea, officials said that the PMA and the editors of travel to Iran where he was confirmed two coronavirs pneumonia and infection in of the journals were gravely concerned hit by the virus. He travelled cases in Pakistan out of which lungs. No any sign appears in over the degradation of all the index medical from Iran to Karachi by plane. one was in Karachi and other infected patient in the first five journals of Pakistan. The Journal of the Yaha and his family have been in PIMS Islamabad. days. Pakistan Medical Association (JPMA) was placed in quarantine at Aga Zafar informed that both cases Experts have advised citizens started in 1954 and indexed in 1975. The Khan Hospital and Sindh were being taken care of Continued on Page 09 Continued on Page 08 Tally for polio cases in 2020 rises to 21

Founder: Ayaz Mahmood MN Report Lakki Marwat tehsil and Publisher: M Hassan Mahmood ISLAMABAD - Three cases of polio have been district, has been infected Chief Executive: Syed Hashim Hasan recently reported from Balochistan, Punjab with polio. In Punjab, an /MedicalNewsPk and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) due to which eight-month-old boy, Online Editor: Haseeb Uddin /MedicalNewsPk the tally for the current year has reached resident of Hairo Shargi UC, Assistant Editor: Dr Muattar Hanif 21. Taunsa tehsil, Dera Ghazi Honorary Advisor: An official of the National Institute of Health Khan district, has been Dr Sulman Akhtur said that in Balochistan, a seven month-old infected with the virus of the Manager Production boy, resident of Ward 1-10B Union Council, crippling disease," the official informed. & Coordination: M Irfan Ali medicalnewspk.com Sibi tehsil and district, had been infected It is pertinent to mention here that polio is a Advertising Manager Tel: 021-35833172 SM Shakil (0300-2559344) with the poliovirus. "The child belongs to a highly infectious disease caused by a virus mainly 021-35872289 poor family as his father is a labourer. The affecting children under the age of Eve. The virus Business Executives Khawaja Akhlaq Ahmed boy has not received any dose of pollo vaccine invades nervous system of the victim and can cause (0342-2393917) Haroon Rashid as his parents are not in favour of vaccination," paralysis or even death. While there is no cure for polio, (Islamabad: 0300-9710774) he said. vaccination is the most effective way to protect children Designing & Layout Sh M Sadiq Ali "In KP, a 32-month-old girl, resident of Abbakhel UC, from this crippling disease. 3rd PAKISTAN HEALTH CARE SUMMIT “Betterment of Health sector is essential for healthy society”

MN Report level. He added "CAP is their concern and stressed the Accreditation Council, Prof. Dr. KARACHI - 3rd Pakistan Health endeavoring hard to provide need to take all precautionary and Pirzada Qasim Raza Siddiqui, Vice Care Summit was recently held at awareness regarding healthcare preventive measures at all levels Chancellor, Zia Uddin University, a local hotel here in Karachi. The issues countrywide." especially at seaports, airports and Brig. (R) Dr. Malik Waqar Ahmad event was organized by Consumer Mr Kaukab informed that through borders with neighboring Awan, CEO Memon Medical Association of Pakistan (CAP) and such program CAP has provided countries. They all stressed the Institute Hospital, Mr. Moid ul Sindh Healthcare Commission platform to highlight health issues need to take all-out measures at Hasan, CEO Habib Oil , Mr. Samir (SHC). Mr. Iftikhar Ali Shallwani, and solution of these issues. He hospitals to combat the threat of Mir Sheikh, Chairman Standing Commissioner Karachi was invited expressed his deep satisfaction Corona Virus. Committee for Education, Science

as Chief Guest of the event. and Technology, Federation of Doctors, Surgeons, Professors, Pakistan Chambers of Commerce Pharmacists, Vice Chancellor of & Industry (FPCCI). Medical Universities, Chairperson of Advisory Council, Representatives of CAP, Ambassador American Pharmaceutical Companies of Society for Micro Biology (ASM), National and Multinational level, Prof. Dr. Shahana Urooj also Representatives of government conducted Panel Discussion on regulatory authorities, Health clinical waste management, Experts of Central & Provincial that suggestions and The meeting was addressed by Infection, Prevention and Control Levels, High officials of recommendations of this summit renowned experts including Dr. in which highly considerable government, Ministries of health, will be helpful to formulate policies Minhaj A. Qidwai, Chief Executive suggestion and recommendations Medical staff, Para Medical Staff at national level for betterment of Officer (CEO), SHC, Dr. Syed were given for immediate were part of the summit. Health sector "which is essential Imran Ali Shah, Dr. Qaiser Sajjad, implementation for policy making. Welcoming the guests, Chairman for healthy society." Secretary General, Pakistan The event concluded with the CAP, Mr. Kaukab Iqbal In the light of coronavirus issue Medical Association (PMA), Mr. distribution of souvenirs to the emphasized the need of which shattered whole global Atteq ur Rehman, Director distinctive guests speakers and Healthcare in Pakistan at every economy, participants expressed General, Pakistan National particpants. DRAP directed to stiffen regulations Fifth case of COVID-19 regarding sale of expired medicines confirmed in Pakistan MN Report MN Report QUETTA - The ISLAMABAD - Subcommittee of the Senate fifth case of the Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation coronavirus on Monday showed concerns over sale of disease was expired medicines and directed the Drug recently Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) to confirmed in ensure that the expiry date is clearly mentioned Pakistan. The on medicine. new patient was identified as a 45-year-old The committee, chaired by National Party female resident of Gilgit Baltistan (GB). Her Senator, Dr Ashok Kumar, also directed the There were 640 employees of DRAP and out samples, referred to the National Institute of drug regulatory body to increase the number of them 190 were technical persons. Health, Islamabad, from the Gilgit district of drug inspectors to ensure quality of "Earlier, there were 12 drug inspectors but hospital on Saturday, tested positive. medicines. now the number has increased to 30 and in According to sources, the patient has been Earlier, during a briefing, a representative of Islamabad there are three drug inspectors," admitted to an isolated ward of the hospital. DRAP told the committee that the authority Dr Ashok said. It also emerged that three of the five Pakistani was established in 2012 at the centre. There is one drug inspector for 20 patients belong to Gilgit-Baltistan while the However, after the 18th Amendment, DRAP pharmaceutical units as there are 619 units rest to Karachi. was devolved to provinces but, after the in Pakistan. According to health officials, samples of at incident of Punjab Institute of Cardiology in "Earlier, there were four divisions of DRAP least 12 suspected patients have been sent which a number of heart patients died due to but now they have been increased to 13," to the NIH Islamabad for the coronavirus some impurity in medicine, the authority was Kumar added. test. The GB health department lacked again handed over to the federal government, Independent Senator Dr Asad Ashraf said he facilities to conduct such tests, as per sources. he said. Continued on Page 08

02 MEDICAL NEWS / March 1-14, 2020 MN Report epidemiological curve, which KARACHI - A grand round Physicians indicated that the epidemic Govt. to crackdown on on the novel coronavirus is slowing down. He also (COVID-19) was recently disclosed that no case had illegal hoarding of masks held at the Sindh Institute of put focus on been diagnosed in Pakistan MN Report Urology and Transplantation so far. (SIUT), which discussed all coronavirus Professor Shehla Baqi, in her KARACHl - aspects of the much- presentation, discussed According to Sindh debated virus. The in depth prevention aspects in detail. government official, discussion She underlined efforts have recently pointed out that the importance of started to control the trade the prevention and of masks amid growing public complaints epidemiological termed the of hoarding by vendors and stockists. curve indicates cornerstone of Following the positive test reports of that the epidemic hand hygiene. coronavirus in two patients in the country, was slowing down She stressed that the prices of masks skyrocketed. in China. strict infection An official informed that amid the mask- The discussion control measures buying frenzy by public, the government was organized by the SIUT's then spread from person to with hand hygiene, took control of a consignment of 80,000 Department of Infectious person. "Since this is a new environmental cleaning, and masks to distribute them among hospitals, Diseases. Dr Asma Nasim, virus, therefore, the world fell droplet and airborne where the key product was unavailable. Associate Professor, into a state of panic as there precautions are the only ways The Sindh drug inspectors earlier raided Department of Infectious is no vaccine to fight it. to prevent the spread of the the wholesale market of medicine in the Diseases, opened the Although highly infectious, the virus. city, popularly known as Kachi Gali, where discussion and explained that virus is not as deadly as other Prof Shehla shed light on how they failed to spot any profiteer or hoarding the coronavirus has been with viruses," she noted. to handle patients if they come facility and returned empty handed. humans for centuries; Dr Sunil Dodani, Associate to the emergency department The officials then moved to Port Qasim, however, now new viruses Professor of Infectious (ER) of the hospital, how to where a consignment of N95 category have emerged. Diseases, noted that if a confirm the case, and put them mask was waiting to be cleared by Dr Asma said that these person was experiencing in isolation. The role of triage authorities. viruses were known to adapt fever, dry cough, and difficulty in the ER and its smooth "We have taken that consignment into from animals to the human in breathing, or has a history functioning was stressed. custody, which carried total 80,000 N95 population. She disclosed that of traveling to China, he or she The discussion was followed masks," said chief drug inspector Shoaib the new coronavirus emerged could be termed a suspect. by a question and answer Ansari. "One should be clear that there is from a live animal market and Dr Sunil showed an session with the participants. Continued on Page 08 Colours displayed on BUMDC’s foundation and Cultural Day

MN Report representing cultural variability of KARACHI - The foundation day of Pakistan, performance on a medley of Bahria University Medical and Dental folk songs and live singing were also College (BUMDC) was recently performed. Some motivational and celebrated at the varsity. The goal of general societal issues were also the event was to reflect not only the highlighted. The aim of the beginnings of the College and its performances were to highlight positive KMDC celebrated the achievers founders, but messages. also on the The performances significant concluded with of Annual Sports week 2020 development refreshments for the since the faculty members and MN Report College's participants. The food KARACHI - The Prize Distribution Ceremony of Annual inception. stalls were setup by Sports week 2020 & Annual Dinner was recently held at The foundation the students of event Karachi Medical and Dental College (KMDC). The event day celebration club. The exquisite was organised by the Chairman Sports & Social Club spanned whole stalls highlighted the KMDC, Prof Dr Nasir Khan. day, consisted classy handicrafts from Commissioner, Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), of interesting all over the country. Dr Saif ur Rehman & Senior Medical Director, KMC Dr events and Sindh, Punjab, Salma Kausar were invited as the Chief Guest. ceremonies one Baluchistan, Khyber The event was actively participated by more than 1800 after the other. Pakhtunkhwa, and students and faculty Member KMDC & ASH Also Attended The event Gilgit Baltistan cultural the Ceremony. commenced with a flag raising specialties were displayed in the stalls. Principal KMDC Prof Arshad Shaikh welcomed the audience ceremony, which was later followed by Honorable Director General BUMDC, and congratulate the organisers for such successful event. cutting cake and refreshments. A Rear Admiral Imtiaz Ahmed (Retd) HI Prizes were distributed among the best performers in the cultural day was then held to cherish (M), Prof. Wahab Buksh Kadri was sports week. The winners for the best Sports Person included the diverse culture of Pakistan. Special invited in the event along with Principal, Wahab Malik, Khuram Imam, Hina Shuja, Faisal Afridi. performances were displayed by Dental Section, Dr. Kulsoom Fatima Among the faculty, Prof Dr Nasir Khan shined as the best students of drama and music club. Rizvi, Vice Principal, Dental Section, Sports person. These included a video depicting Prof. Asad Ullah Khan, DEAN, Health The prize distribution was followed by Dinner & Musical different culturally vibrant places of Sciences and Principal, Medical Night Main. Popular singing sensation, Farhan Saeed Pakistan, comedy scenes and skits Section, Prof. Ambreen Usmani, Vice embellished the night with his ecstatic performance. augmenting cultural harmony among Principal, Medical Section along with The program ended with Programme ended with different ethnicities, dances other faculty members. fireworks display.

MEDICAL NEWS / March 1-14, 2020 03 Court moved for Substantial investment provision of masks can help eliminate MN Report LAHORE - The Lahore High Court has been requested to order the federal and hepatitis C in Pakistan provincial governments to ensure availability of surgical masks to citizens and that too at regular price. MN Report around 36 million people will Khan University in Karachi KARACHI - A large investment need to be screened or re- added, "The amount of of at least US$3.9 billion is screened annually, and around investment needed to reduce needed to meet the World 660,000 will need to be treated new HCV infections to the Health Organization's (WHO) each year. Regular re- WHO's elimination levels will target. The aim of the screening will also be needed be substantial, but equally so investment is to eliminate to identify new infections or are the benefits to patients and Hepatitis C virus (HCV) in re-infections, and efforts will the community. Improving Pakistan. This could deliver need to be made to re-engage access to DAAs along with huge benefits in terms of lives individuals lost to follow-up. reductions in costs means that In a petition, Judicial Activism Panel saved and reduced ill health. Success will also depend on now is the time to push for Chairman Advocate Azhar Siddique stated These details were recently achieving high referral rates HCV elimination. This will that as per media reports surgical masks published in The Lancet Global to ensure that at least 90% of require cooperation across were not available in the market and have Health, as per University of those diagnosed receive both public and private sectors been hoarded by certain wholesalers to Bristol led research. treatment. to ensure the best pathways mint money in a crisis-like situation due to The research highlighted that Achieving the WHO's of care, which will bring the coronavirus. Pakistan has one of the elimination target could mean biggest impact." He pleaded that if the masks were not highest rates of Hepatitis C preventing 5.8 million new Dr Huma Qureshi, National made available in the market, it will be infection in the world, infections and 390,000 HCV- Lead for the Prevention and construed as exploitation of citizens and accounting for over associated deaths Control of Viral Hepatitis in would ultimately cause an extraordinary 10% of global HCV that would Pakistan and former Executive burden on them. infections, so have Director of the Pakistan Health He stated the Drug Regulatory Authority reducing new Research Council, said, of Pakistan (Drap) has been playing the infections to meet "Alongside role of a silent spectator as it took no the WHO's target screening and measure to control the price. He asked was a public treatment, we the court to direct Drap to control the prices health priority. also need to of surgical masks and take strict action New Direct- raise public against the elements involved in its Acting Antivirals, awareness on viral hoarding and profiteering. or DAAs, are hepatitis and educate Chief Justice Mamoon Rashid Sheikh will highly effective people on the risk factors take up the petition. at curing HCV and how hepatitis can be infection, otherwise occurred by 2030. spread. These prevention resulting in the The estimated US$3.9 billion efforts can help speed up our WHO pledge to support WHO recently cost - the equivalent of around elimination efforts." developing a Global Health 9.0% of the current health Prof Peter Vickerman, HIV affected population Strategy to eliminate HCV by expenditure of Pakistan or Professor of Infectious MN Report 2030. While targets have been investment of US$ 1.50 per Disease Modelling at the set to reduce global incidence person per year - is dependent University of Bristol and KARACHI - Dr Palitha by 80% and mortality by 65%, on using the cheapest drugs principal investigator of the Mahipala, the WHO there is a lack of guidance on and tests, and using a study, said, "Achieving HCV representative in Pakistan, how to achieve the WHO's simplified testing and elimination is not just about recently paid a visit to Larkana elimination targets in low- and treatment algorithm. reducing the number of and Ratodera, Sindh. middle-income countries Dr Aaron Lim, infectious infected people. Crucially, it is The visit began with Dr (LMICs), and there are no disease mathematical modeler also about improving the Palitha Mahipala estimates on how much it and lead author from the quality of life and population administrating polio could cost. University of Bristol, said, "Our health through averting new drops to children at the The study, a collaboration modeling suggests that infections and preventing Sukkur airport as a part of the between the University of Pakistan's HCV epidemic is cases of advanced liver ongoing National Immunization Days Bristol, Médecins Sans on the rise, with around disease, liver cancer, and liver- (NIDs) campaign in the country. Dr Frontières, the Pakistan HCV 700,000 new infections related deaths. Our study Palitha emphasized on vaccinating children Task Force, the US Centers occurring each year, rapidly provides policy guidance on to save them from a crippling disease. for Disease Control and adding to the current 7.5 how to scale-up HCV Meanwhile, Dr Palitha Mahipala, along Prevention, Aga Khan million people, or about 4% of screening and treatment to with Dr Azra Pechuho Minister of Health University, and the Pakistan the population, who are achieve HCV elimination and and Population, also inaugurated the NID Kidney and Liver Institute, infected with HCV. The what the costs are likely to be. campaign in the presence of Polio used mathematical modeling situation is expected to get This is relevant not only to Emergency Operating Center to provide the first country- worse if interventions are not Pakistan but also to other low- representative, Asalif Demissie, team lead level estimates of the scaled up. With fewer than and middle-income countries for the WHO, along with the Commissioner screening and treatment 14% of infected people aware formulating national plans for of Larkana and the Area Coordinator of needed for achieving the of their infection status, and achieving HCV elimination." Polio. WHO's elimination targets for even fewer having been Hepatitis C is a blood-borne Dr Palitha Mahipala pledged to continue HCV incidence in Pakistan, treated, it is clear that any virus infecting 71 million supporting the HIV outbreak affected and the possible costs of doing global HCV elimination effort people worldwide (about 1% population and inaugurated refurbished so. will need to address Pakistan's of the world's population) and labor rooms and Nutrition Stabilization The study discovered that to large epidemic seriously." causes 400,000 deaths each Centers in Larkana and Ratodero. achieve elimination by 2030, Prof Saeed Hamid at the Aga year.

04 MEDICAL NEWS / March 1-14, 2020 ‘Nearly 14 million children are obese or overweight in Pakistan’

MN Report "I urge people to adopt an on time, taking out time for 2020 KARACHI - The Fight Obesity active routine with daily regular workouts, and rising Initiative recently organized the workouts and the consumption and going to bed early could NATIONAL news conference, and it was of a balanced diet. Obesity is ensure good health and addressed by leading bariatric a disease, as explained by prevention from several March 26-28 surgeon, Dr Tanvir Raazi doctors, and it is the leading diseases. 26th Annual Meeting: Pakistan Association Ahmed, eminent psychiatrist cause of various serious In response to a query, he said of Plastic Surgeons (PAPSCON 2020) at and President of the Pakistan diseases, including diabetes that most of the players of the Psychiatry Society, Prof Iqbal and cardiovascular ailments. Pakistan Cricket Team are fit Lahore. Afridi, and the President and healthy and try to March 27-28 of the Pakistan Nutrition remain agile. However, and Dietetic Society players should not be Internal Medicine Symposium 2020 (PNDS), Fayza Khan, asked to prove their Quality in education and healthcare at AKU Vice-President, PNDS, fitness after every three Auditorium, Karachi. Rabia Anwar and Younis months as it puts them Khan, renowned cricketer under mental stress and March 28-29 and former captain of the deteriorates their International Conference on Medical & Health Pakistani cricket team. performance. Science at Pearl Continental Hotel, The conference was held Eminent bariatric at Karachi Press Club surgeon, Dr Tanvir Raazi Rawalpindi, Pakistan. (KPC). Ahmed announced the While addressing the We especially need to educate launch of the Fight Obesity April 7-9 audience, the expert panel our children to have an active Initiative, noting that they have Health Asia & Pharma Asia at Lahore Expo informed that obesity has been life and encourage them to take decided to launch a campaign Center, Lahore, Pakistan. increasing at an alarming rate part in some sporting activity against obesity after it emerged in Pakistan as nearly 14 million regularly," said Younis Khan. that the Pakistani nation was children have fallen victim to A Memorandum of facing an epidemic of obesity. 2020 obesity in Pakistan while the Understanding (MoU) was also "Unfortunately, obesity is the total number of people with signed between the Fight mother of most non- obesity has crossed 45 million Obesity Initiative and the PNDS communicable diseases, in the country. to regularly hold awareness including diabetes, JUNE OCTOBER 1 World Milk Day 8 World Sight Day Younis Khan urged that activities regarding leading a hypertension, cardiovascular 1 International Children Day 10 World Mental Health Day Obesity has been declared as healthy lifestyle, promoting diseases, and various types of 5 World Environment Day 12 World Arthritis Day 14 World Blood Donor Day 12 World Bone And Joint Week 15 World Handwashing Day a "severe disease" and is the physical activities, and cancers, including breast and 19 World Sickle Cell Day 16 World Food Day mother of most illness. He consuming a balanced diet. ovarian cancer among women. 26 International Day Against Drug 17 World Spine Day called for promoting a healthy Younis Khan maintained that It is estimated that around 4 Abuse And Illicit Drug Trafficking 17 World Trauma Day 20 World Osteoporosis Day JULY lifestyle including regular daily people need to take care of million die annually due to 24 World Polio Day 11 World Population Day 29 World Stroke Day exercise, consuming healthy themselves so that they could obesity and diseases related 28 World Hepatitis Day food, and educating young take care of their ailing parents to it alone in Pakistan," claimed NOVEMBER AUGUST 1 Lung Cancer Awareness children about the need for and young children, adding that Dr Raazi adding, "fortunately, 1-7 World Breastfeeding Week Month 9 World Quality Day indulging in physical activity the adoption of a healthy obesity is not only a 14 International Diabetes Day and avoiding junk food." lifestyle by taking healthy meals Continued on Page 08 SEPTEMBER 17 World Chronic Obstructive 9 International Fetal Alcohol Pulmonary Disease Day Syndrome Day 26 World Anti-Obesity Day 20 World Retina Week DECEMBER 21 World Alzheimer’s Day 1 World Aids Day 25 World Pharmacist Day 3 International Day of Disabled ‘400,000 children die 26 World Retina Day Persons 29 World Heart Day 5 World Patient Safety Day in Pakistan per annum’ transformed the Ghotki. the excellent standards and pediatric Dr Ahson said that the CLF's mission MN Report emergency care that the emergency is 'Saving the Future of Pakistan' by KARACHI - Secretary Health Sindh, ChildLife Foundation provides in rooms of all facilitating rapid access to quality Zahid Ali Abbasi, noted that the Sindh, and it is good to know that government teaching urgent medical care and intervening ChildLife Foundation (CLF) is running this CLF model is to be replicated in hospitals in Sindh and Baluchistan," with established cost-effective very successful Children Emergency other parts of Pakistan as well," Zahid said Dr Ahson. preventive measures. Rooms in government hospitals added. "The survival of critically ill children Meanwhile, World Bank Health under the public-private partnership. Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer, has quadrupled since then," said Economist, Jahanzaib Sohail, on He said this while speaking at the ChildLife Foundation, Dr Ahson Rabbani, adding that their vision was occasion, said that the World Bank World Bank's workshop on Rabbani, said that the public-private to transform all 40 plus pediatric was working around the world to 'Maximizing Impact through Public- partnership is doing wonders for emergency rooms in the government promote more public-private Private Collaboration in The Health Pakistani children as the CLF is teaching hospitals of Pakistan. partnerships. Sector". He said that the government saving lives of around 1 million "Tele-Medicine Satellite Centers will "When we got engaged with the of Sindh is working on different children every year in Sindh and also be established at government government of Sindh for primary models in the healthcare sector since Baluchistan. They have treated 3 hospitals across all tehsils," he health care (PHC) in 2018, we the government cannot deliver alone million children until now. added. realized that public-private in this sector. Dr Ahson said Pakistan's largest Currently, Tele-Medicine sites have partnerships are needed to improve "Sindh is taking the lead in promoting mortality is that of children under the been operational at the Sindh healthcare facilities here. Hence, it the public-private partnership, and it age of 5 years, as approximately Government Hospital in New is time to build and enhance PPPs is heartening to note that our 400,000 children die in Pakistan per Karachi, the District Headquarter in the healthcare sector. If we partners, including the ChildLife annum. Hospital in Mithi, the Syed Abdullah completely ignore the private sector, Foundation, have set examples for "In order to minimize this death ratio Shah Institute of Medical Sciences it would be a daunting task for other provinces. I have witnessed by about 50%, the CLF has in Sehwan, and the THQ Hospital in Pakistan," Jahanzaib concluded.

MEDICAL NEWS / March 1-14, 2020 05 FEAR OF CORONAVIRUS The spread of Pakistan temporarily coronavirus is not closes border with Iran pandemic: WHO MN Report QUETTA - Pakistan has recently closed its border temporarily with the neighbouring country, Iran and decided UNITED NATIONS - was causing confusion, stigmatisation. not to allow anyone to cross into Pakistan without strict The United Nations anxiety and fear among Also on Monday, UN screening at Taftan and four other entry points in health agency, the World the general public. Secretary General Balochistan. This step was in view of deaths caused by Health Organisation But the agency warned António Guterres issued novel coronavirus in Iran. (WHO), explained that that factors were also a strong appeal, urging while a sudden increase causing harmful all countries to do their in new cases of the virus stereotyping, which part to fight the spread was of concern, "the could drive people to of virus. spread of coronavirus is hide the illness to avoid "The disease is still not yet a pandemic." discrimination, prevent possible to be The International agency them from seeking contained," he said, urged the international health care immediately speaking at a press

Provincial Home Minister, Ziaullah Langove told the reporters,"We have closed all the five entry points Taftan, Gwadar, Turbat, Panjgur and Washuk at the border with Iran," adding that the step had been taken as a precautionary measure since deaths had been reported in Iran due to outbreak of coronavirus in Qom and other areas. However, the Iranian government has said that it had not put any restriction on travel to Iran from Pakistan and its border was open at the Iranian side. "We are granting visa to deserving people, including pilgrims, who are applying for it," a spokesman for the Iranian consulate in Quetta said. "All entry gates at Taftan being used for crossing into Pakistan were closed this morning," a senior security official posted at Taftan told, adding that patrolling along community recently not and discourage them conference in Geneva the Iran border too had been intensified to keep an eye to stigmatise people from adopting healthy alongside the WHO on the people`s movement. Four other entry points located from the areas affected behaviours. Chief Tedros Adhanom in Turbat, Gwadar, Panjgur and Washuk districts have by the coronavirus "Such barriers could Ghebreyesus. also been closed. epidemic. potentially contribute to Mr Ghebreyesus said According to Pakistani pilgrims, who were waiting at Mir The agency said that it more severe health his agency had not Jawa to enter Pakistan, thousands of Pakistanis who had had received an problems, ongoing declared the virus a gone to Iran to visit holy sites had been stranded in increasing number of transmission, and pandemic because: "We different cities of Iran, including Qom and Mashhad. reports of public difficulties controlling are not witnessing the The Pakistani border authorities also did not allow Pakistani stigmatization against infectious diseases uncontained global pilgrims and other travellers, who reached Taftan for people from areas during an infectious spread of this virus, and proceeding to Iran, to cross the border and asked them affected by the disease outbreak," the we are not witnessing to postpone their journey until further orders. epidemic. agency warned. large scale severe A large number of pilgrims, who have come to Quetta "Unfortunately, this The announcement said disease or death." But from different cities of Pakistan for travel to Iran, have means that people are that the International he admitted that the also been stuck in Quetta due the border closure. being labelled, Federation of Red Cross coronavirus epidemics The Balochistan home minister said that the Provincial stereotyped, separated, and Red Crescent were occurring in Disaster Management Authority and the health department and/or experience loss Societies (IFRC), different parts of the were jointly taking precautionary measures to prevent the of status and UNICEF and the WHO world, affecting countries people from falling prey to the deadly coronavirus in the discrimination because were developing differently. border districts of Balochistan. of a potential negative community-based Earlier, China reported He said that a 100-bed tent hospital, four mobile health affiliation with the guides and global 71 additional deaths, units (set up in containers) and 10 ambulances had been disease," the agency campaigns to thwart the almost all of them in sent to Taftan as most of the travellers, including pilgrims, noted. effects of stigma on Hubei province, the businesspersons and tourists, used Taftan for crossing The WHO people and the virus center of the outbreak. the border. acknowledged that since response. It also urged More than 500 new Meanwhile, an isolation ward has been established in the the coronavirus was a governments, citizens, cases have also been Gwadar Development Authority Hospital. Deputy new disease, it's media, key influencers reported as confirmed Commissioner of Gwadar retired captain Mohammad understandable that its and communities to their cases across the country Wasim said that testing kits had also been provided to emergence and spread part to discourage this climbed to 77,600. Continued on Page 09

06 MEDICAL NEWS / March 1-14, 2020 Research finds new Steps should be taken to vaccine to protect counter thalassemia: Minister MN Report children from typhoid KARACHI - Provincial Minister for Health and Population Welfare, Azra Fazal MN Report during the Sindh-wide rollout, approach that Pechuho, recently chaired an important KARACHI - An emergency conducted in November covers access meeting to devise a strategy for combating vaccination campaign in Sindh 2018, which aimed to to clean water, the situation regarding the disease, following the outbreak of typhoid reach over 10 million improved in the province has found the children during a sanitation, and typhoid conjugate vaccine to be three-week immunization. effective in preventing new cases period. During the of the disease, said researchers A mop-up campaign event, researchers from at a recent event at the Aga Khan is now being planned in Sindh in the Aga Khan University explained University. March 2020 to immunize children how their collaboration with the Over 10,000 cases of extensively between the age of 9 months and health authorities in Hyderabad drug-resistant (XDR) typhoid, a 15 years missed during the helped trace the cause of the strain of the disease resistant to previous drive. Researchers noted outbreak. Thalassemia major. The representatives an unprecedented range of that parents, whose children have "Our research involved geographic of all organizations providing Thalassemia antibiotics, have been reported not received the vaccine, are keen mapping which highlighted how care to affected patients attended the since 2016 in Karachi and to participate in the forthcoming the majority of typhoid cases were meeting. Hyderabad. This outbreak led to immunization campaign. reported around sewage lines," Addressing the meeting, the minister said the launch of an emergency Speakers at the event noted that said Dr Momin Kazi, an Assistant that the Sindh government has been vaccination campaign in January cases of typhoid were being Professor (Research) in continuously thriving to provide facilities 2018 in the worst affected areas reported in parts of the Punjab Paediatrics and Child Health at for the health and welfare of the public. of Hyderabad which saw 207,000 province such as Lahore and the AKU. "Household water She added that Thalassemia major children between 6 months and Multan. The province is yet to samples also tested positive for requires life-long treatment and affects the 10 years of age receive the new launch the vaccine. Punjab EPI contamination showing that the patient socially, economically, and vaccine. Director Dr Muhammad Saeed drinking of contaminated water psychologically; therefore, we need to take At the same time as the campaign, Akhtar noted that cases of XDR was the most likely cause for the substantial steps to counter the situation. researchers set up a surveillance typhoid and multi-drug resistant outbreak." Director, Sindh Blood Transfusion Authority system in the same area over 18 typhoid had been noticed to date. The research and policy advocacy (SBTA), Dr Dur-e-Naz Jamal, briefed the months to screen a cohort of over "The Punjab government plans to efforts supporting the vaccine's participants that the SBTA is currently 20,000 children, who received the include the vaccine in its routine launch were backed by a team at regulating the Thalassemia care vaccine, to detect cases of typhoid. immunization program between the AKU including Professor organization and is trying to work through They found that 9 out of 10 September and October 2020," Dr Rumina Hasan, Professor Zahra a holistic approach to combat the children in the cohort, or 89%, did Akhtar said. "We will study the Hasan, and Dr Sadia Shakoor worsening situation. not contract the disease. lessons learned from the Sindh from the Department of Pathology Dr Dur-e-Naz stressed that we must "The results of the vaccine's campaign in order to ensure the and Microbiology, Dr Farah collectively apply the two prongs approach effectiveness are in line with a success of our drive." Qamar, Dr Tahir Yousafzai and Dr i.e., prevention along with treatment of this study in Nepal," said Farah Qamar, Dr Anita Zaidi, Director of Vaccine Momin Kazi from the Department disease. She further said that currently, an Associate Professor in Development, Surveillance, and of Paediatrics and Child Health at more than 8,000 Thalassemia patients are Paediatrics and Child Health at Enteric and Diarrheal Diseases at the AKU. registered, but approximately 20,000 are the AKU. "This strengthens the the Bill and Melinda Gates The control and prevention of present, which includes IDPs (Internally case for the national rollout of the Foundation, expressed her water-borne diseases such as Displaced Person) and patients from other vaccine." support for efforts to generate typhoid is a global health priority provinces. During the event, Dr Qamar spoke evidence of the efficacy for this with targets under goal 3 of the Azra Fazal Pechuho instructed the Director about how lessons from the vaccine against typhoid fever. She Sustainable Development Goals of SBTA and Department of Health (DoH) Hyderabad campaign had been added that a strategy to combat calling for the eradication of such officials to plan public health measures applied in Lyari, Karachi, and typhoid requires an integrated diseases by 2030. Continued on Page 08

MN Report undoubtedly unlock data across ISLAMABAD - According to a 10pc of global population country borders to facilitate paper published recently by the collective, coordinated efforts and World Economic Forum (WEF), affected by a 'rare' research confirms this type of around 475 million people (10pc system would deliver economic of the global population) have been benefits. affected by a 'rare' condition. disease: WEF research "People with rare diseases National approaches to research experiencing a misdiagnosis or no related to rare diseases though Kingdom, Australia, genomic data consortium diagnosis at all will benefit from have fallen short due to lack of Canada and the United for rare disease has this because it is likely to positively combined data and an States proposed setting always been present, but impact their quality of life and uncoordinated global approach. up a global this research puts general well-being," the paper said. The paper titled 'Global Access for framework the spotlight on Rare diseases consumed a Solving Rare Diseases' stated that which the multiple disproportionate amount of 80pc of these diseases have aimed to benefits in healthcare resources relative to genetic causes, meaning that share terms of their prevalence. "With an people tend to be born with a rare genomic economic estimated 15.2 million individuals disease. data for incentives as expected to have clinical genomic "Sufferers are highly likely to be treating well," the testing for a rare condition within children, with 30pc of them dying and diagnosing paper said. the next five years, it is time to before they reach their fifth rare diseases. The WEF has called on evaluate the economic and birthday, often without a "There has never been a better countries to test out a federated societal benefits of developing a diagnosis," it added. time for international collaboration data system model in order to system that can share this data The paper, written by health on solving rare diseases. The understand such concept better. without compromising privacy," it economists from the United moral incentive to create a global Federated data systems can added.

MEDICAL NEWS / March 1-14, 2020 07 Degradation of medical ... duties and responsibilities, which Mohammad Yousaf Badini suggested recently said that the provincial Continued from front page include teaching and training through that a helpline should be established government would acquire all journal was to share the experiences workshops," they added. so that people could register their equipment and masks related to and the spread of scientific The authorities, such as the HEC, complaints regarding medicines. coronavirus and would pay 'fair price' knowledge. The benefit of this have never appreciated the attitude Committee also directed to ensure for all these items to the vendors so ultimately goes to the wellbeing of of the editors of these leading medical that the names and direction on that a fake shortage was not created the patient, they noted. journals. medicines should also be written in in the market and profiteers did not PMA Officials added that the journal PMA officials urged, "It is somewhat Urdu so that common people could take unfair advantage of the situation. recognition system of the Higher surprising that this new software has understand it. Education Commission (HEC) the ability to downgrade all top-grade The committee was also informed ‘Nearly 14 million children ... Pakistan had downgraded all the medical journals with one click of the that there were 11 testing labs in Continued from page 05 highest category biomedical journals computer key. A question that has to Pakistan but only two of them were preventable but also a treatable of the country to the so-called 'CLAY be asked is that if the HEC was certified by World Health Organisation disease." Medallion' and 'Category X'. "This running the software on a trial basis, (WHO). Eminent psychiatrist and the President was done by applying a new journal why did they publicize the results on However it was claimed that within of the Pakistan Psychiatric Society, recognizing system launched by the their website, which is visible around one year 50pc of the labs would be Prof Iqbal Afridi, said that obesity not HEC and the results were displayed the globe?" certified by WHO. only leads to mental issues but mental on the HEC website in January 2020, Speakers said that this amounts to a The committee chairman directed the issues also often lead to obesity, which is available to all the viewers derogatory act against all the involved DRAP to give a detailed briefing that which results in other physical health around the world," PMA publications. The JPMA, along with why Drug Pricing Policy, which was issues. He called for donating food representatives highlighted. the other two indexed journals, will announced in 2015, was amended in regularly to those who are hungry so With all the adversities being faced continue to enjoy a good reputation 2018. that the entire society could remain in the country, twelve academic universally. However, Pakistani He also said that temperature had to healthy and active. journals from Pakistan, which include authors will suffer, as they will be be maintained during transportation "Obesity is one of the causes of three medical journals, enjoy a good compelled to publish a number of of medicines but in Pakistan no one depression and anxiety in both men impact factor. The three medical articles in W category journals for cares about it. He directed DRAP to and women. We need to educate journals have struggled to keep their promotion. They will face difficulty in ensure that the temperature of people that consuming food in limited standards at a universally recognized finding a foreign journal and, most of medicines was maintained through quantity is a healthy practice and it level. These include the Journal of all, deprive their pockets of at least modern distribution vans. would not only improve their physical the Pakistan Medical Association Rs100,000/- for each article if Though the Human Organ Transplant health but would keep them mentally (JPMA), published by the Pakistan accepted. Authority was also included in the fit as well," said Prof Afridi, adding Medical Association, the Pakistan They demanded that the HEC should agenda of the meeting, members that over-eating is also associated Journal of Medical Science, a private immediately withdraw this software decided to discuss it next time. with memory loss and several other journal, and the Journal of College of so that all the index medical journals mental ailments, which can be Physicians and Surgeons (JCPSP) are replaced in category W. Govt. to crackdown on ... avoided by adopting a healthy published in Karachi. All these journals Additionally, they demanded that the Continued from page 03 lifestyle. have a good impact factor and are stakeholders and editors of the no illegality in the import of that Prof Afridi maintained that rising and indexed with the highest indexing journals should be consulted before consignment and the company going to bed early, eating simple and agencies such as SCOPUS, PubMed, making any kind of erratic decisions brought these masks by following all balanced food, regular exercise, EMBASE, SCIE, BIOSIS, and WOS. in the future. defined rules and regulations." sparing time for worship or meditation, The WHO and the WAME recognize However, the Sindh government has and adopting a positive approach them, they added. DRAP directed to stiffen ... decided to control the trade of were the essential habits to prevent They further said that the editors of Continued from page 02 protective masks amid recent mental issues, which also have scores these journals, besides publishing purchased a medicine manufactured shortages following reports of of physical health benefits as well. their journals regularly, concentrate by a well known company, but when coronavirus to make the masks President, PNDS, Fayza Khan, and on improving the quality of the he opened a blister pack he found available to hospitals. The official told Vice-President, PNDS, Rabia Anwar, manuscripts they accept for half tablet in it. that the importer would be paid the said that 50% of the Pakistani publication and accelerate their efforts "A large number of expired medicines price of all the masks and no penalty population is suffering from different to improve the standard of the journal. are sold in Pakistan and the expiry or fine would be imposed on the firm. non-communicable diseases like "They follow an author-friendly policy date is deliberately written so vague "The drug control authorities were diabetes and heart diseases. Most of and help and guide them to improve and unclear that no one can read it. just helping the government and the these diseases are preventable and their manuscripts with the help of Therefore, DRAP should ensure that Sindh health department to make are related to overconsumption and members of the editorial board and the expiry should be clearly mentioned these masks available at hospitals," bad food choices, they added. peer reviewers. The editors know their on a pack," he said. officials said. rights, but they also remember their Another Independent Senator Mir Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah Steps should be taken to ... Continued from page 07 such as extended family screening, counseling, and community sensitization. She also acknowledged the efforts of private Thalassemia care organizations. The minister directed all Thalassemia care associations to consult the SBTA with their issues and instructed the Director of the SBTA to address them. She said that work on the implementation of the Sindh Thalassemia Control and Prevention Act 2013 had been resumed, and the DoH is working on activating public sector Thalassemia care and treatment centers. All the stakeholders appreciated the role of the SBTA at the event. It was also mentioned that such a meeting had been called for the first time where all Thalassaemia centers from the province were invited, and their voices were heard. 08 MEDICAL NEWS / March 1-14, 2020 Family of first confirmed People should make their patient declared ‘clear’ own masks: NIH Official MN Report NIH Excutive Director urged people MN Report ISLAMABAD/RAWALPINDI - to not panic even if they were unable KARACHI - According to recent reports, the family and friends National Institute of Health (NIH) to get masks. "Those who want to of the patient in Karachi who has been tested positive for the Executive Director (ED) Maj Gen Dr wear masks, at any cost, can make novel coronavirus, have turned out to not been contracted Aamer Ikram recently advised people their own masks by following a with the virus. not to panic and suggested that they number of videos available on social should make their own masks by media," he said. following the DIY (Do It Yourself) Meanwhile, Islamabad Deputy videos available on social Commissioner Mohammad Hamza media. Shafgaat has imposed Dr Ikram said this Section 144 to while talking to check the media regarding the The 22-year-old travelled to Iran where he contracted the virus. confirmation of His case was confirmed along with another case in Islamabad. the first He has been quarantined at Aga Khan University Hospital coronavirus (AKUH), Karachi while his family had been quarantined at patient at Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS), Ojha Campus. Pakistan They have now been cleared of the virus and were allowed Institute of to go home. Medial Health authorities tested 20 of the patient's family and friends Sciences and none of them have showed signs of contracting the virus. (PIMS). Six more people were currently being tested. "There are Dow University and AKUH have free testing facilities where isolation wards due to which virus cannot be people can get tested if they believe they came in contact with transferred from one overpricing someone who has contracted the virus or recently travelled block/ ward to another. of masks. to Iran or China. Moreover, doctors, nurses, On the other hand, These were only two cases reported in Pakistan and the health sweepers and even drivers of Pakistan Young department said the virus in under control in the country. It the ambulances have been trained Pharmacist Association has has urged people not to panic. to deal with the suspected cases and written a letter to the Supreme Court Earlier, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health, Dr patients," he said. chief justice to take suo motu notice Zafar Mirza, said that the two patients who were diagnosed Dr Aamer Ikram further told, "It is a of the Drug Regulatory Authority of with coronavirus were stable and their condition was improving. fact that there is panic among Pakistan's (DRAP) decision of In a tweet, Dr Mirza said: "Both patients of #COVID-19 are residents of the twin cities I got a allowing export of respiratory masks. stable and improving. number of calls in which people Earlier, Drap had imposed a ban on Earlier in the day, the family of Pakistan's first confirmed inquired whether it was alright for export of masks and other equipment, coronavirus patient had been cleared of suspicion for being them to go watch Pakistan Super but later five companies were allowed infected, the Sindh health department said. League match!" to export.

Pakistan braces for Coronavirus been screened by doctors. accommodation," official sources Nonetheless, the study found that Continued from front page Taftan-based Levies Force officials said. "Therefore it is under similar results were achieved in to practice the best hygiene, and said until the quarantine facilities consideration to request 1ran to all three countries with wash their hands frequently and were not established at the border, keep these people in their territory standardized strategies, thoroughly for at least 20 seconds, it would remain closed. for 14 days." suggesting that the intervention or use alcohol-based hand Following an order by the director has validity in different settings. sanitizer if soap and water are not general of the provincial health Low cost intervention can ... The COBRA-BPS study is led by available. department, the district health Continued from page 10 Professor Tazeen Jafar and her The citizens need to cover coughs officer of Chagai has constituted A formal cost-effectiveness team at Duke-NUS Medical School and sneezes with a tissue, and a task force to monitor the analysis is currently underway by in Singapore in partnership with then throw the tissue in the trash. coronavirus-related situation in the Prof Eric Finkelstein, a health Dr Imtiaz Jehan from Aga Khan Infected patients need to avoid district. Local officials of the health economist at Duke-NUS and the University, Pakistan; Dr Aliya touching their eyes, nose or mouth department said every individual Duke Global Health Institute. Early Naheed from the International with unwashed hands and sick coming from Iran would be kept in estimates by the study group Centre for Diarrheal Diseases people are required to stay home. isolation for 14 days to ascertain suggest that scaling up the Research, Bangladesh; and Prof The first coronavirus case was if he or she had been infected by COBRA-BPS intervention Asita de Silva from the University detected on 1st December 2019 coronavirus or not. nationally in the three countries of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, leading the in Wuhan city of China. Asked about the establishment of would cost less than US$11 per trial as country principal the 100-bed tent hospital in Taftan, patient annually. investigators in the three countries Fear of Coronavirus ... the officials said that it had not This is the first multi-country trial respectively. Continued from page 06 been established yet as a few of its kind and a model of South- The study is funded by the Joint the staff at Gwadar airport and the remaining tents were being South collaboration. While there Global Health Trials scheme, border crossing to screen transported to Taftan from Quetta are differences in the health which includes the Medical travellers. by the PDMA. systems and some population Research Council, the UK According to Additional Deputy "It will be a challenge when more characteristics in the countries Department for International Commissioner of Chagai Badal than 5,000 pilgrims visiting Iran involved, blood pressure control Development (DFID), the National Khan Dashti, 100 pilgrims lodged will return to Taftan town which rates are uniformly poor in all of Institute for Health Research in Pakistan House at Taftan have lacks the capacity to provide them them. (NIHR), and the Wellcome Trust.

MEDICAL NEWS / March 1-14, 2020 09 Low cost intervention can effectively reduce blood pressure: New Study

MN Report of home visits by also increased adherence KARACHI - A multi-country community healthcare to antihypertensive research study in Pakistan, workers to monitor blood medications and lipid- Bangladesh, and Sri pressure (BP) and provide lowering medicines and Lanka, has found that a lifestyle coaching, coupled improved some aspects of low-cost, multi-component with physician training and self-reported health. intervention helped deliver coordination with the public Additionally, there was a community a clinically meaningful health care infrastructure suggestion of a reduction health reduction in blood pressure among 2,550 individuals in deaths in the intervention workers levels among patients living with hypertension living in group. and delivered using with high blood pressure, 30 rural communities in the "A sustained 5 mmHg the existing or hypertension, as well as three South Asian countries reduction in systolic BP at healthcare systems better control of the over two years. a community level in Bangladesh, condition. At the end of the study, the translates into about a 30% Pakistan, and Sri Lanka Published in the New decline in mean systolic reduction in death and can lead to clinically "Controlling blood England Journal of BP was 5 mmHg greater disability from meaningful reductions in pressure through lifestyle Medicine, the multi-country in the intervention group cardiovascular disease," BP as well as confer modifications and intervention trial, Control of versus the control group, said Prof Tazeen H Jafar additional benefits - all at antihypertensive therapy Blood Pressure and Risk which received the usual from Duke-NUS Medical a low cost." can be the single most Attenuation - Bangladesh, care. Reduction in mean School, Singapore, who is Uncontrolled hypertension important way to prevent Pakistan, Sri Lanka diastolic BP and BP control the principal investigator of is a major risk factor for the rising rates of (COBRA-BPS), evaluated (<140/90 mmHg) was also the three-country study. cardiovascular and kidney cardiovascular disease and the effectiveness of a range better in the intervention "Our study demonstrates diseases and a leading deaths in Pakistan. This of interventions consisting group. The intervention that an intervention led by cause of premature death trial seems timely to furnish globally, leading to adverse evidence regarding economic consequences. sustainable and low-cost In Pakistan, one in three pragmatic solutions for adults suffers from high effective blood pressure blood pressure, according control that can be to a 2016 study by the integrated into our public Pakistan Health Research primary healthcare system Council. The control and of lady health workers as prevention of non- well as referrals to basic communicable diseases health units through (NCDs) such as standardized training and hypertension is a global task shifting." health priority with targets The Aga Khan University's under goal 3 of the Dr Aamir Hameed Khan, Sustainable Development the study's co-investigator Goals, calling for a one- in Pakistan and a co- third reduction in deaths author, highlighted the caused by such diseases need to create a by 2030. mechanism for refresher Hypertension is a lifestyle trainings for the public and disease and can be private sector physicians prevented and controlled to effectively manage and by changing dietary and control hypertension. He living habits. Risk factors noted that the trainings that can cause provided through the trial hypertension include an were well received by unhealthy diet, being physicians and local overweight or obese, authorities. physical inactivity and a "The public health sedentary lifestyle, implications of our findings smoking, psychosocial are significant," Prof Jafar stressors, and excess added. "A low-cost alcohol consumption. program like ours could be The Aga Khan University's adapted and scaled up in Dr Imtiaz Jehan, the many other settings study's country principal globally, using the existing investigator in Pakistan and healthcare infrastructure to a co-author, said, reduce the growing burden "Uncontrolled of uncontrolled hypertension, a lack of hypertension and public awareness of the potentially save millions of disease and its contributing lives, as well as reduce risk factors, as well as suffering from heart inadequate attacks, strokes, heart antihypertensive medicine failure, and kidney use are alarmingly high in disease." Pakistan. Continued on Page 09

10 MEDICAL NEWS / March 1-14, 2020 MEDICAL NEWS / March 1-14, 2020 11 TOXIC GAS LEAKAGE Almost 500 people

suffered in Karachi YDA Sindh strike MN Report 17, 2020, to date. Colony, Railway Colony, continues KARACHI - Sources claim Around 48 people were Majeed Colony, Shireen MN Report that the toxic gas inhalation brought to the Emergency Jinnah Colony, Sikanderabad, KARACHI - The Young Doctors Association incident in Kemari and its Department of the Dr Ruth and others, have been (YDA) Sindh continued their one-hour token adjoining areas has affected Pfau Civil Hospital Karachi severely affected due the toxic OPD strike throughout the Sindh province approximately 150 more (CHK) in the last three days, gas leakage. against the poor state of Sindh government- people in the last 24-hours. ENT Specialist and Vice- run healthcare facilities. Almost 500 people have Chancellor, Jinnah Sindh The YDA chapters in Hyderabad, Larkana, fallen victim to the Medical University Sukkur, and Nawabshah also observed a poisonous gas in (JSMU), Prof Dr one-hour token strike. The protesters the past three Tariq Rafi, and demanded the early release of notification days, while 14 other experts about the stipend of PGs and arrears of have been noted that the house-officers. reported dead. soybean dust Vice-President, YDA Sindh, Dr Waris Ali The Ziauddin allergy could Jakhrani, said that the YDA Sindh would Hospital has not result in observe a token OPD strike in Civil Hospital registered 93 death and proper Karachi (CHK), Jinnah Postgraduate more patients in the investigation is Medical Centre (JPMC), and other hospitals past 24 hours and needed to know more of the province against the poor state of received 350 patients in three about the Kemari incident. affairs in government-run hospitals in the days. Nine deaths were out of which three are still He explained that people province. reported at the health facility. under treatment while the might face complications like He demanded the availability of all The Jinnah Postgraduate majority of the patients nasal allergy, asthma, and medicines in hospitals to cater to needy Medical Centre (JPMC) has recovered and have been other symptoms following patients, the repair and functionality of the treated 80 patients in its discharged from the hospital. exposure to soybean dust; CT scan and MRI machines, the release Accident & Emergency Kemari and its surrounding however, it cannot cause of the enhanced stipend of PGs, the Department since February areas, including Jackson instant death. recruitment on dental surgeons' seats, and the release of all arrears of house officers. He said that the one-hour token OPD strike would continue till their charter of demands IHC upholds PMDC restoration, is fulfilled. rejects Govt appeal MN Report Protesting medical students ISLAMABAD - The Islamabad High Court (IHC) recently rejected the federal dragged into Police custody government's inter-court appeal challenging MN Report the restoration of Pakistan Medical and Dental QUETTA - Over two dozen students and Council (PMDC) verdict and issued notices to employees of the Balochistan University all petitioners. of Medical and Health Science (BUMHS) IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah, while heading (PMDC) and declared the formation of Pakistan were recently held in police custody, during a two-member division bench, observed that Medical Commission (PMC) - a body formed a protest outside the Balochistan the court's verdict had spelled out detailed through a presidential ordinance in its place Assembly. reasons for the restoration of PMDC. He - illegal. Students and employees of the BUMHS directed the government to explain loopholes, Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani of the IHC have been protesting since the status of if any, in the verdict. announced the decision on identical petitions the Bolan Medical College was changed The court, while rejecting the federal filed against the dissolution of PMDC and from a college to a university under the government's appeal, sought replies from the reinstated the employees of the council. Bolan University of Medical and Health petitioners against the Centre's request for On October, last year, President Dr Arif Alvi Sciences Act No VII, 2017. stay order. It ordered clubbing the inter-court had promulgated an ordinance which led to appeal with the petitions against the the formation of a new body - PMC - and They were demanding dismissal of the promulgation of the presidential ordinance. rendered PMDC dissolved. varsity's Vice Chancellor and restoration The hearing of the appeal has been adjourned The PMC comprised three components - of the status of the Bolan Medical until the month of March. PMDC, National Medical and Dental Academic University (separate from the medical Last week, the federal government had Board and the National Medical Authority. college) and a reduction in the fee challenged the IHC decision for the restoration The body had been established with the structure. of PMDC and filed an inter-court appeal. The purpose to deal with the issues related to Students claim that merit quota for them appeal stated that the court had interfered in medical education and doctors. at the university was reduced after the an administrative matter which did not fall Following the promulgation of the ordinance, new law was passed and that the within its jurisdiction. the Ministry of National Health Services (NHS) management had also decreased It said the single-bench verdict was against through Islamabad district administration and scholarships for them. the rules set by the Supreme Court. police sealed the PMDC building. The arrested people claimed that they Earlier, the Islamabad High Court had restored The council was informed that the service of were peacefully protesting when the police the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council its 220 employees had been terminated. arrested them.

12 MEDICAL NEWS / March 1-14, 2020

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