The National Medical Newspaper

Pakistan’s First Independent Medical Periodical from Karachi Vol. 51 No. 25 June 15-30, 2019 Published Fortnightly Reg. No. ID. MC-153 ISSN 1728-1520 Controlled Circulation

After Larkana, Healthcare regulatory 2 million Pakistanis Experts term quackery Inside Faisalabad faces ... 03 authority remains ... 04 sign up for ... 07 a national issue 14 Vertical health programs Young doctors to file contempt of court case slacked under 18th against private hospitals MN Report PESHAWAR - The Private Doctors amendment: Health Minister Association, Youth Wing, has announced to file contempt of court petition against private hospitals for violating directives of MN Report Malaria and Hepatitis, which lack of the Supreme Court of and ISLAMABAD - In a press are run in provinces with the administrative PMDC. briefing held after the meeting support of the federal control and of Pakistan Health Population government. Dr Mirza said that coordination Forum, Special Assistant to in the meeting with all in these Prime Minister on provincial health programs. He National Health ministers, it was announced that Pakistan Services Dr Zafar decided to Health Population Forum was Mirza said that the 'reform being named with Inter- 18th constitutional amendment and ministerial Health and affected the performance of Population Council vertical health programs. The (IHPC), which will briefing was attended by effectively conduct Speaking at a news conference Dr Qazi federal and provincial health its meeting after Shahbaz and Dr Zeeshan, house job officials. every quarter of the doctors in private hospitals, said the Dr Mirza said that though he year. Pakistan Medical and Dental Council had was not against the devolution re-establish' the Dr Zafar also said issued instructions to private hospitals on of health infrastructure, but essential public health that Balochistan would be the directives of SC of Pakistan to issue vertical health programs were functions within the context of provided with special health monthly honoraria to house jobs doctors not well aligned after the 18th 18th amendment. He added package, while the next equal to that of government hospitals. amendment. The vertical that one of the reasons behind meeting of the IHPC will be However, the private hospitals were paying health programs include increased number of polio and also held there. Dr Mirza only Rs 35,000 to Rs 43,000 against the prevention of AIDS, TB, AIDS cases in provinces was Continued on Page 12 SC directives. Govt increases health Founder: Ayaz Mahmood sector budget by 19% Publisher: M Hassan Mahmood Chief Executive: Syed Hashim Hasan MN Report /MedicalNewsPk Online Editor: Haseeb Uddin KARACHI - The Sindh Government significantly /MedicalNewsPk Assistant Editor: increased the health budget by 19% from Rs96.8 have Dr Hira Mustasfa Khan billion in 2018-19 to Rs114.4 billion for the fiscal been Honorary Advisor: Dr Sulman Akhtur year 2019-20. The Chief Minister stated that the provided with funds; Manager Production health sector was given priority in the annual both through grants as well as development & Coordination: M Irfan Ali medicalnewspk.com budget. financing. Advertising Manager CM Sindh, Syed Murad Ali Shah, in his budget He said that the current revenue expenditure of Tel: 021-35833172 SM Shakil (0300-2559344) 021-35872289 speech, said that health is a major priority for the the health department, excluding medical Business Executives Khawaja Akhlaq Ahmed government of Sindh. Many prominent health education, has been significantly raised by 19% (0342-2393917) Haroon Rashid institutions/hospitals in Karachi, including the SIUT, from Rs96.8 billion in 2018-19 and to Rs14.4 billion (Islamabad: 0300-9710774) Indus Hospital, JIMS, JPMC, NICH, and the NICVD for the financial year 2019-20. Designing & Layout with its eight satellite unit and nine chest pain units, Continued on Page 12 Sh M Sadiq Ali 02 MEDICAL NEWS / June 15-30, 2019 After Larkana, Faisalabad faces HIV crisis; 2,800 cases registered

MN Report a high incidence of HIV-positive chair, the members of PMA also FAISALABAD - After the persons in these areas, the accused the Punjab Healthcare continuing Larkana HIV ordeal, provincial government as well as Commission (PHC) of condoning Faisalabad has reported a sudden the district administrations have quackery. and quick increase in the HIV preferred to hush up the issue to They alleged that the so-called positive cases being registered. avoid criticism as opposed to anti-quackery operations launched Currently more than 2,800 such organising any screening camps from time to time were just a patients from Faisalabad and 5 to learn about and address source of increasing the monthly other districts of Punjab, including the unfortunate PACP staff had bribe of the officials concerned. Chiniot, Sahiwal, Jhang, and incident. strictly been The sources pointed out that the Nankana Sahib, are registered with The sources warned against practice of refusing to the Punjab AIDS Control leaking any HIV/AIDS patients by the public Programme (PACP) for free information with hospitals was also a cause of the . regard to the high disease's spread. Such patients According to PACP sources, the incidence of the then had no option but to approach programme's Faisalabad unit set disease here. private hospitals where they up in a room at the Allied Hospital Meanwhile, The undergo the knife without blood that provides free medicines to the Pakistan Medical Association screening, they added. This HIV/AIDS patients registered with (PMA), expressing its serious resulted in spread of the virus to it, receives 70 to 90 cases of the said that since the concern over the situation, other patients who undergo ailment monthly from these five surfacing of a large severely criticised the district surgeries at the private hospitals districts. number of HIV/AIDS cases in administrations for their failure to through poorly manged surgical They say that most of these Ratto Dero taaulqa of Larkana check the menace of quackery in instruments. patients come to know about their district, Sindh, earned a bad name their respective areas which, it They said the quacks, especially condition through screening tests for the province's government, the termed a major source of fake dentists, also spread the virus conducted before donating blood, authorities concerned in Punjab HIV/AIDS spread. by using instruments that were not travelling abroad or undergoing a were not highlighting the issue to Discussing the issue during a sterilised. . save their skin. meeting held here on Monday The PMA Faisalabad chapter It is worrying that in spite of such They said that the concerned night with Dr Saulat Nawaz in the Continued on Page 12

MEDICAL NEWS / June 15-30, 2019 03 Healthcare regulatory authority remains absent in capital after 4 years

MN Report delayed as the ministry of summary was moved to Healthcare Regulation Act committee constituted ISLAMABAD - Despite NHS failed in drafting Cabinet Division to solicit 2018 was promulgated on under this Act and the the passage of 4 years legislative work following its approval. 22nd may 2018 for remaining two members after announcement of the rules and regulations. The Special Committee of establishment of shall be nominated by the initiative, the Ministry of According to the report Cabinet for disposal of Islamabad Healthcare federal cabinet whereas National Health Services submitted in Senate legislative cases Regulatory Authority under under section 6, clause has failed to establish a Standing Committee on considered the summary the ministry of NHS. (1) of the Act; a selection health regulatory authority NHS, to ensure provision dated 12th October, 2015 The authority was committee will be for the federal capital. The of quality health care submitted by the ministry mandated for provision of nominated by the federal initiative was announced services, promote patient of NHS for approval of quality healthcare services government to determine in 2015 by the previous safety and provide draft federal health care by implementing quality areas of expertise and government to monitor mechanism of banning regulations bill, 2015 on standards by the skills required for and regulate all the quackery in all its forms February 11, 2016 and healthcare sector to membership of the Board healthcare services and manifestations by the accorded in principle residents of Islamabad, and develop detailed providing departments in health sector, the draft bill approval, said the report. report added. criteria for selection the city. The establishment makes provision for The conditions were that The document said, under accordingly. of Islamabad Healthcare establishment of Federal only Islamabad Capital the section 5, clause (2) Report said that the Regulatory Authority was Health Regulatory Territory be mentioned in of the Act, the federal notification of nomination delayed due to Authority in federal areas. section 1 (3) of the bill and government shall notify for selection committee administrative and In this context, an initiative year of the bill be changed Board of the Authority under section 6, clause legislative hurdles at the was taken under the from 2015 to 2016. which shall consist of 9 91) of the Act requires ministry level. guidance of minister of The decision of the members, 7 of whom shall approval of the federal It was decided that the state for NHS in 2015. A Special Committee of be nominated on government i.e. federal authority will regulate all draft bill was developed Cabinet for disposal of recommendation of the cabinet. private and public sector and circulated among legislative cases was hospitals and healthcare stakeholders. All ratified on 15th July 2016. providers to curb the illegal suggestions made by the After the clearance from practices in the health participants were Special Committee of sector. However, officials incorporated to finalise the Cabinet for Disposal of said that the matter was bill. Subsequently, a legislative cases and incorporating the changes suggested by the special committee, the said bill SHCC’s slacking to was submitted to ministry of law and justice. be blamed for HIV Report said that the ministry of law and justice outbreak; Solangi raised few observations, which were also addressed and the bill was MN Report resubmitted to them in KARACHI - Sindh Health Director General Dr August 2016. The bill has Masood Solangi held the Sindh Health Care now been vetted by the Commission (SHCC) responsible for the HIV outbreak ministry of law and justice. in Larkana. Later, Islamabad Speaking about the large number of children who tested HIV positive in Larkana, Dr Solangi told media that in children, HIV is mostly transferred through 2000 quack-run clinics, 1000 illegal laboratories sealed in Punjab anti-quackery drive MN Report LAHORE - The Punjab Healthcare Commission (PHC) recently informed that as many as 2000 clinics run by quacks and over 1000 illegal laboratories were sealed during a province-wide anti-quackery drive. A PHC spokesperson stated that the laboratories were sealed in different cities over mothers, but it has been revealed after investigation the violation of rules and the appointment of untrained officials. He informed that 200 laboratories had been sealed in Lahore, 77 in Faisalabad, 57 that the actual cause of the spread of HIV in Rato in Rawalpindi, and 50 in Sargodha and Okara. Dero was the reuse of syringes and the presence Earlier, a grand operation against quack clinics in various parts of Sindh resulted in of quacks. the closure of 700 fake establishments. He said that quacks have been present in large The Sindh Health Care Commission had launched a province-wide operation against numbers across Sindh but no action was taken fake clinics and doctors' of Larkana, Hyderabad, and Karachi along with other major against them by SHCC in the past three years, cities of Sindh. adding that whenever questioned on its inaction, Thousands of used syringes had been taken under custody by health care officials SHCC gave the excuse of shortage of staff and from clinics in Larkana. The Sindh Directorate of Complains had received 64 complaints Continued on Page 12 against quack clinics which demanded immediate action against the menace.

04 MEDICAL NEWS / June 15-30, 2019 KP govt slaps additional

taxes on educational, 2019 health, fitness institutes NATIONAL July 10-11 MN Report those having over 50 taxed at a fixed rate of Pak Pharma & Healthcare Expo at Pakistan- KARACHI - The government employees would pay Rs30,000 while dentists China Friendship Centre, Islamabad, Pakistan. of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Rs100,000 in tax. Doctors and certified by the Pakistan has increased income tax on specialists practicing in Medical and Dental Council people earning more (PMDC) would pay October 19-21 than Rs20,000 a month Rs15,000 in tax. International Conference on Medical and on government Health fitness Education 2019. Theme: 21st Century employees of grade centres and challenges in the Health Professionals seven and above. gymnasiums have Education Has Workshops and Lectures. at Besides, it has also been taxed in the slapped taxes on range of Rs1,500- Riphah Academy of Research and Education educational institutions, 3,000. (RARE) Riphah International University, Al- hospitals and fitness A fixed tax of Mizan Campus, 274-Peshawer Road, centres in the private Rs100,000 was Rawalpindi, Pakistan. sector, agricultural land slapped on private and advertisements. medical and law Taxes on hospitals, colleges. October 28-29 institutions Peshawar would pay tax in the Private engineering institutes International Conference on Medical & Health Private clinics and hospitals range of Rs40,000-80,000 having degree programmes Science at Pearl Continental Hotel, having up to 10 employees depending on whether they are were taxed Rs100,000 while Rawalpindi, Pakistan. would pay Rs15,000 in service practicing at divisional private business educational tax. headquarters, district institutes having up to 100 Similarly, private clinics and headquarters or elsewhere. students would be liable to pay October 10-13 hospitals having more than 10 Non-specialists including Rs80,000 and those having employees but not more than medical practitioners, hakeems more than 100 students would 13th SAARCAA Congress 2019 at PC, Lahore 50 would pay Rs60,000 and and homeopaths would be pay Rs100,000. December 6-8 APASL (The Asia Pacific Association for the Sindh Health Dept fails to control Study of Liver) - Single Topic Conference 2019. Theme: "Elimination of Viral Hepatitis by 2030 - From Dream to Reality". Organized typhoid prevalence in Sindh by Pakistan Society for the Study of Liver Diseases at Sarena, Islamabad. MN Report KARACHI - The Sindh Health Department has been unable to devise a comprehensive strategy to control the incidence of typhoid in INTERNATIONAL the province of Sindh as the number of typhoid cases continue to rise in Karachi and other June 29-30 cities of the province. International Conference on Healthcare and The Provincial Disease Surveillance and Response Unit (PDSRU) report states that as Life Science Research at Scholar's Inn @ many as 17786 typhoid cases have been UTMKL, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. reported from November 2016 to May 2019 out of which 10677 are typical typhoid cases while 7109 are extensive drug resistance (XDR) The government has already begun a mass 2019 typhoid. The resistance cases mostly reported vaccination campaign in the Sindh province in from Karachi and Hyderabad. response to the XDR typhoid outbreak. Out of total 7109 XDR typhoid fever cases, Approximately 210000 children aged 6 months 4973 were reported in Karachi, 1772 in to 10 years have received the typhoid vaccine JUNE OCTOBER Hyderabad, and 364 in other districts. This year, or the typhoid conjugate vaccine in Hyderabad. 1 World Milk Day 8 World Sight Day 1 International Children Day 10 World Mental Health Day a total of 1626 XDR typhoid cases were detected The Sindh Government has also implemented 5 World Environment Day 12 World Arthritis Day across the Sindh province out which 1087 water purification and sanitation activities, carried 14 World Blood Donor Day 12 World Bone And Joint Week 19 World Sickle Cell Day 15 World Handwashing Day surfaced in Karachi, 386 in Hyderabad, and out the community and school awareness 26 International Day Against Drug 16 World Food Day Abuse And Illicit Drug Trafficking 17 World Spine Day 153 in other districts. campaigns on safe hygiene and sanitation 17 World Trauma Day The XDR Salmonella Typhi causes typhoid practices, and created a national XDR typhoid JULY 20 World Osteoporosis Day 11 World Population Day 24 World Polio Day fever, a life-threatening and highly infectious taskforce. 28 World Hepatitis Day 29 World Stroke Day illness that affects millions of people in the Health experts recommended an improvement AUGUST NOVEMBER developing world and tends to spread in areas in the water and sanitation situation in high risk 1-7 World Breastfeeding Week 1 Lung Cancer Awareness Month 9 World Quality Day with poor sanitation. The risk of acquiring XDR districts, ensuring clean and safe water for SEPTEMBER 14 International Diabetes Day 9 International Fetal Alcohol 17 World Chronic Obstructive typhoid in Pakistan is high because of insufficient drinking, mass awareness and health education, Pulmonary Disease Day Syndrome Day 26 World Anti-Obesity Day access to clean water and poor sanitation and availability and use of chlorine tablets at 21 World Alzheimer’s Day hygiene. The antibiotic-resistant Salmonella household and community level, availability of 20 World Retina Week DECEMBER Typhi strains have become increasingly blood test (culture and sensitivity) for detection, 25 World Pharmacist Day 1 World Aids Day 26 World Retina Day 3 International Day of Disabled Persons prevalent in recent decades. and the availability of typhoid conjugate vaccine. 29 World Heart Day 5 World Patient Safety Day

MEDICAL NEWS / June 15-30, 2019 05 Medical IGP orders establishment of College yet to get heatstroke units across Sindh MN Report PMDC affiliation KARACHI - The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Sindh recently directed the regional police authorities to establish heatstroke units at a MN Report district level in the Sindh province. SUKKUR - The civil society of Khairpur has demanded Heatstroke treatment centres should be the Sindh government to provide CT scan and MRI established throughout the province, he said. HEAT machines to the Khairpur Medical College for getting These centres must be equipped with the STROKE affiliation with the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council necessary gadgets and medicines as well (PMDC). The members of the Action Committee of as cold drinking water and juices. Khairpur Medical College held a protest for a month at There is a dire need to publicize the CM House, Karachi; the CM Sindh had promised to the precautionary measures tremendously to enable the people to adopt the steps required in case of an emergency. He stated that a campaign should be launched to create awareness among people about heatstroke. Responding to the latest weather forecast with chances of a steady surge in daytime temperatures, which went past 40 degree Celsius with almost no breeze during past three days, provide the machines within a month but the college did the IGP sought not get a single machine even after three months. immediate measures The members of the civil society said intra political for timely intervention to prevent any possible heatstroke cases. differences between the treasury benches and On the directive of SSP Malir, Irfan Bahadur, the police established seven heatstroke stakeholders of the Khairpur are the main reasons to relief centres in Malir Cantt, Sachal, Gadap town, Malir City Bin Qasim town, and deprive the college of PM&DC registration. They also Sohrab Goth in view of the sizzling weather in Karachi. demanded the government to help out the college to All necessary medical facilities and medicines had been provided at these centres, fulfill the requirement of PM&DC or they would have no besides the police also distributed cold drinking water, juices among the people. choice but to protest for an indefinite period. State Health Minister inspects Getz pharma

MN Report Manufacturing/Production prequalified by the KARACHI - The State Facility, Quality Control WHO. Minister for National Health Laboratories, Stability Area, After the visit, the Services, Regulations and and Technical/ Utility Areas. State Minister Coordination (NHSRC), Dr He examined the discussed with the Zafar Ullah Mirza, recently company's Quality management on how to visited Getz, the only Management Systems improve the availability of pharmaceutical company critically. Dr Zafar Mirza the essential medicines in in Pakistan, whose has a rich experience with Pakistan in manufacturing facility has working at WHO for over general and recently been prequalified fifteen years. The Minister the local and accredited by the appreciated the high production for World Health Organization standards of production the treatment (WHO), Geneva. Getz and quality assurance of of HIV. The Pharma is also the largest the company and CEO of Getz exporter of medicines from congratulated the Pharma, Khalid brainstormed ideas Pakistan and has been management for obtaining Mahmood, assured the to boost exports of awarded the Prime both the WHO Minister that Getz Pharma medicines. He reiterated Pakistan. The Minister also Minister's highest export prequalification as well as would help address the that the government and urged the Pharmaceutical trophy in the the Pharmaceutical problems of shortages of his ministry, under the companies to increase Pharmaceuticals category Inspection Cooperation essential medicines, guidance and instructions their exports. The for 14 consecutive years. Scheme - PIC/S especially the medication of the Prime Minister, is company's management During the nearly three accreditation and putting for the treatment of HIV. keen to transform the shared their plans to hours visit, the Minister Pakistan on the map of the The Minister discussed the health and pharmaceutical expand the company's toured and reviewed Getz select few countries whose issues facing the sector and increase the exports in the next few Pharma's facilities and products are pharmaceutical sector and exports of medicines from years.

06 MEDICAL NEWS / June 15-30, 2019 SHCC conducts 2 million Pakistanis sign training of trainers MN Report up for Facebook’s blood KARACHI - The Sindh Health Care Commission's (SHCC) Directorate of Clinical Governance & Training donation feature recently organized a "train the trainer" session on the Sindh Service MN Report Delivery Standards (SSDS) on at the KARACHI - Countries from all Darul Sehat Hospital. around the world celebrated World Blood Donor Day (WBDD) to raise awareness about the need for safe blood and to thank donors for their life- saving gifts. In Pakistan, national health organizations marked the day by holding campaigns to raise awareness about the need for more safe blood donations, This training will be attended by the as the country battles an SHCC's inspection team and medical ongoing, safe blood shortage experts. The objective is to train the problem. experts in the field on SSDS so as Blood is an essential resource year, to sustain our blood as #SafeBloodForAll and they disseminate the information for patients who suffer from life- transfusion systems on 100% #DonateBlood were used across further. The Directorate of Clinical threatening conditions and in voluntary non-remunerated social media platforms on Friday Governance & Training will start maternal and perinatal care. blood donations," said Zaheer. to raise awareness. Of the 117.4 training on SSDS at the Darul Sehat Pakistan, however, has an acute Social media platforms are also million blood donations collected Hospital, and this training will focus safe blood shortage - something rallying behind the cause. globally, 42% of these are on areas such as quality control, that urgently needs to be Facebook launched its blood collected in high-income infection control, and prevention. addressed, according to Hasan donation feature in 2017 and countries, home to 16% of the The anti-quackery drive has been Abbas Zaheer, Project Director Pakistan last year. The feature world's population. ongoing in the different districts of and National Coordinator of the allows people to sign up as In low-income countries, up to the Sindh province including Sukkur, Safe Blood Transfusion blood donors and to locate their 52% of blood transfusions are Larkana, Shaheed Benazirabad, Programme (SBTP). nearest blood donation centres given to children under five Thatta, Khairpur, and Sanghar. According to Zaheer, and those who need blood years of age, according to data About 101 Health Care approximately 3% of the urgently. Since 2018, more than provided by the World Health Establishments (HCEs) and a total country's population should 2 million people have signed up Organization (WHO). A stable of 1205 clinics have been sealed donate blood in order to meet to be blood donors on Facebook base can assure an adequate across the province so far. the country's needs. "Pakistan in Pakistan out of 35 million and reliable supply of safe blood The Directorate of Licensing & has additional transfusion needs globally. of regular, voluntary, unpaid Accreditation SHCC has received due to the high burden of Zaheer praised Pakistan's blood donors. These donors are 263 new applications for registration. thalassaemia. Therefore, we "strong national culture of also the safest group of donors Certificates were issued to 116 HCEs need about 3% of our population altruism" as one factor that is as the prevalence of blood- recently bringing the total number of to donate blood on a regular helping boost blood donations borne infections is lowest among registration certificates issued to basis, two to three times in a in the country. Hashtags such them, says the WHO. 4992. The Directorate of Complaint of the SHCC has received 72 complaints Blood transfusion can save till date out of which 43 charges were disposed of, 25 complaints are under millions of lives each year processing, while 4 are sub-judice. CEO, SHCC, Dr Minhaj Qidwai, MN Report recently attended a coordination communities meeting organized by the World KARACHI - On the occasion of World Blood Donor have access to Health Organization (WHO) and Day 2019, the World Health Organization's (WHO) affordable and ensured that the SHCC would be Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, timely supplies of represented in the sub-committees Dr Ahmed Al-Mandhari, emphasized that everyone safe and quality- as per its function. in the world had the right to access safe blood assured blood At this occasion, Saeed Awan, transfusion, when and where it was needed. and blood products. This is an integral part of Secretary Health, Sindh, reiterated Access to safe blood and blood products is every country's progress towards UHC and to the role of the SHCC and stressed essential for universal health coverage (UHC) and enhance health systems. Both go in line with our a key component of effective health systems. regional vision 2023," said Dr Al-Mandhari. the importance of strengthening the Blood transfusion saves millions of lives every Although the need for blood is universal, many SHCC as a regulatory body in Sindh. year. It can help in the proper management of countries in the WHO's Eastern Mediterranean Director Complaint, SHCC, Dr Amir women experiencing bleeding associated with Region face the challenge of making sufficient Hussain, and Barrister Sadia Qureshi pregnancy and childbirth, children with severe blood available, while also ensuring its quality and of the SHCC attended one-day anaemia, patients with inherited disorders such safety, especially in humanitarian emergencies. training of government officials on as thalassemia, and victims of trauma, "An adequate and safe blood supply that meets community issues. emergencies, disasters, and accidents. the needs of patients at all times can only be This training was arranged by the This year's campaign focuses on blood donation ensured through regular donations by voluntary, Initiator Human Development and universal access to blood and blood products unpaid blood donors," Dr Al-Mandhari stated in Foundation (IHDF) and focused on under the slogan of 'Safe blood for all'. "We aim his message on World Blood Donor Day 2019. the social issues of women and to raise awareness of the need for regular blood World Blood Donor Day serves to thank voluntary, children. donations to ensure that all individuals and Continued on Page 12

MEDICAL NEWS / June 15-30, 2019 07 WHO and Sindh Govt team up to tackle HIV outbreak in Sindh

surfaced in Moro spreading panic among the 27,000 people have been particularly in the areas of after hitting residents of the Ratodero tested in Ratodero since HIV testing, paediatric HIV Ratodero, taluka." April 25th 2019. treatment and family Larkana, and The people of this region A 5-year old boy, Muzamil counselling; and ensuring Shikarpur. Two have called for the Hakro, died of AIDS in the adequate supplies of rapid men and a imposing of a health village of Ghulam Hussan diagnostic tests and woman tested emergency Hakro. The majority of the antiretroviral medicines for positive with in affected population are both adults and children, the disease children and young people. as well as single-use in Moro. More than half those needles and syringes. the affected are children under The WHO mission will Ratodero taluka so as the age of 5. This poses a include experts in to save the lives of particular challenge. Prior emergency response these children. to this outbreak, there were management, The outbreak was first just over 1200 children epidemiology, HIV clinical reported on April 25th diagnosed with HIV and care, and infection 2019. A major HIV receiving antiretroviral prevention and control from MN Report Thirteen AIDS patients screening program started treatment in all of Pakistan. WHO as well as the Global KARACHI - The Sindh have so far died in the on April 28th. It was On May 16th, the local Outbreak Alert and Government and WHO Ratodero taluka after expanded on May 8th, with authorities established a Response Network experts have stepped up screening began, gripping additional health workers new antiretroviral treatment (GOARN). The team will efforts to address the the area with panic," stated being deployed. Testing is clinic for the children in work closely with the recent epidemic of HIV in Dileep Kumar, a resident currently ongoing. Larkana. Ministry and partners, the Sindh province, of Moro. A total of 789 HIV cases The critical tasks for the including the Aga Khan especially in the Ratodero Jamal Dawoodpoto, a have been identified in WHO-led team include: University, Pakistan's Field taluka, where a high ratio resident of Ratodero, Ratodero since April 25th ascertaining the source of Epidemiology & Laboratory of HIV cases have stated, "An AIDS-hit child out of which 650 are the outbreak and Training Program (FELTP), surfaced. died in a village near children, and remaining are controlling it; providing UNAIDS, and UNICEF in "HIV cases have also Ratodero yesterday adults. Approximately technical expertise, Larkana.

WALL STREET JOURNAL REPORT HIV+ve count among Make WHO report public, children exceeds 650 demands PML-F leader

in Ratodero MN Report government to make the WHO Sindh government, which had LAHORE - Pakistan Muslim report public so that the masses claimed that it would transform early 800 cases of people League Functional (PML-F) know about the government's Larkana into Paris, silent over the infected with the AIDS N General Secretary and Grand inefficiency. WHO report," he said asking when virus have surfaced in a Democratic Alliance (GDA) He further said, the WHO report the provincial government would single district of southern Information Secretary Sardar held the Sindh Government ask for the health minister's Pakistan. According to a report Abdul Raheem has resignation. by The Wall Street Journal, out expressed concern over According to Raheem, of 27,000 people who the World Health HIV patients in Larkana volunteered for HIV screening in Organisation (WHO) do not have access to Larkana district, 798 people report about the HIV medicines and they are tested positive, until June 14th. outbreak in Larkana, dying in miserable The astonishing factor about the calling the exponential rise condition, as no one rising number of cases is that in HIV cases Sindh seemed willing to comply more than 80% of the new cases Government's worst with the provincial health are among children aged under failure. minister's directives. He 15. Preliminary findings by the "The recent WHO report claimed that HIV is rapidly World Health Organisation has exposed the Sindh spreading outside (WHO) stated that more than government," he said, Larkana, but the provincial 650 children tested positive adding that "A government that responsible for the HIV outbreak, government keeps on saying all is during six weeks of government cannot provide health facilities to and added that the disease is well. tests. people in its political centre, spreading among children due to Raheem demanded that the Whereas, before the tests, Larkana, has no right to remain in the unavailability of appropriate findings of the report be made scarcely more than 1,000 power." The Pakistan Peoples and timely treatment. public and immediate action be children were registered as HIV Party (PPP) government has in Raheem also questioned the taken against institutions and positive in the entire country, fact lost the right to rule, said provincial government's silence individuals held responsible for the according to the WHO. -PR Raheem. He asked the PPP over the report. "Why was the HIV outbreak in the report.

08 MEDICAL NEWS / June 15-30, 2019 Sindh Health Minister Experts discuss HIV outbreak calls for coordinated control strategies MN Report efforts for polio control KARACHI - The officials of the Sindh Health Department met with the UN partners and doctors from different MN Report travel from other provinces institutions across the province for the KARACHI - "The environment in large numbers, Inter-Agency HIV Response Coordination samples have not only been which makes it confirmed positive for polio in susceptible to the Karachi but are also reporting virus, thus positive across the country. We making it the are facing a very challenging most situation. The worst affected challenging city province is Khyber in Pakistan. Pakhtunkhwa followed by Karachi has a Punjab and Sindh," stated Dr target Azra Pechuho, Minister of population of 2.4 Health in Sindh. million children "Despite the positive samples, under 5 years of meeting held at a local hotel in Karachi. Karachi has thus far reported age. During this meeting, the Sindh government only two cases of polio, which However, despite the from HIV Outbreak Response was discussed. shows the commitment of the risk, only 2 cases of polio June 17th The HIV outbreak response plan includes Sindh Government to protect have been confirmed from onwards to multiple targets like enhancing the children from the curse of polio. Karachi (3 cases from Sindh in address these positive samples. capacities of health workers and institutions It is through our repeated total, including Karachi). As for She urged parents to vaccinate for managing HIV outbreaks, strengthening vaccination drives that children the other provinces, 9 cases their children in order to save health systems for the continuum of have been saved," Dr Azra hailed from KP, 6 from KPTD, them from polio. She requested prevention, treatment, care and support Pechuho added. and 3 from Punjab. the support of everyone in this services for HIV/AIDS, strengthening She said that Karachi is the She informed about the launch endeavour and stated that we communities, social mobilization, strategic transport hub of the country and of a polio campaign in Karachi must all work together to communication and advocacy initiatives, the central transit city. People and as well as the rest of Sindh eradicate polio from Pakistan. and sustained quality HIV response in the province. All of the above targets have been given SACP accused of specific timelines, and the responsibilities have been distributed between the SACP, DoH, SBTA, Drug Control Department, mishandling HIV outbreak DARP, SHCC, and district administrations. The contributing partners for all these targets are the WHO, UNICEF, UNAIDS, MN Report addresses, even renowned child specialist Prof AKUH, DUHS, Population Welfare LARKANA - The Sindh Government and it's Dr Saifullah Jamro did not attend which Department, UNFPA, USAID, SIUT, and initiative, the Sindh AIDS Control Program displayed their interest in treating HIV cases, MMIDSPS. (SACP) have been charged with mishandling he informed. The outbreak response plan was initially the HIV outbreak in Ratodero. Since the He said those experts, who are delivering high devised by the Sindh Health Department, beginning, till even now, the SACP is not taking profile lectures free of cost here, are charging SACP, and the technical teams of the UN a keen interest $20,000 to Partners based on the initial response of in resolving the 30,000 per the WHO's HIV Outbreak Investigation issue lecture in Mission in Larkana. permanently, Bangladesh, This immediate short term plan which was said Dr Aziz Philippines, and based on four localized technical working Soomro, a elsewhere in the groups - epidemiology, treatment and care, paediatrician world. They also infection prevention control, and community from Larkana, expressed engagement and response has been made who is settled in interest in fully functional with teams on the ground. New York since coming to A fifth group was added to this plan in the years. Larkana for meeting today by the name of resource After great three days from mobilization. The resource mobilization efforts, he was July 13-15 to group will support in oversight and able to convince hold an functionality of all the other groups formed internationally international earlier. acclaimed conference on It was also decided in the meeting that an HIV/AIDS HIV and the HIV behavioural and biological survey will experts from establishment of also be conducted in all prison setups from Brown University to give online lectures to the the ultra-modern laboratory, provision of free July 2019 onwards by the SACP and DoH. doctors in Larkana and all of the Sindh province treatment medicines, and so forth in Larkana. The meeting was attended by the Sectary regarding the handling of and providing He said that he even spoke to former Sindh Health Sindh, DG Health Sindh, Technical treatment to HIV positive people with particular Health Secretary, Saeed Awan, who instructed Sectary Health Sindh, CEO, PPHI, CEO, reference to children and HIV mothers, he said. all doctors to attend the lectures but nobody SHCC, Program Manager, LHW/ So far, four such lectures had been held at obeyed him. He said his phone calls are not TB/SACP/SBTA/Hepatitis/Child Survival Program, officials from AKUH, SIUT, DUHS Chandka Children Hospital, but the attendance being attended by Director General, Health and UN Partners. of doctors remained negligible. In the last two Continued on Page 12

MEDICAL NEWS / June 15-30, 2019 09 45% of Pakistani children exhibit stunted growth

MN Report Authority to implement the committed to providing safe and KARACHI - The Sindh Governor, Minimum Pasteurization Law better nutrition to Pakistan. We Imran Ismail, recently stated that across Sindh just like it is done in have, and we will continue to play it was the need of the hour that the other provinces. We, as a nation, our role in building our nation public and private sectors should need to ensure the safe and healthy stronger". This initiative was called come together to eliminate the growth of our children," said Ismail. 'Celebrating the Power of Milk". It stunting crisis in Pakistan. Stunting "It is their right. Give the children is essential to highlight that in spite is caused by malnutrition, resulting of Pakistan the right of growth that of being the 3rd largest milk in stunted/impaired growth in the they deserve! Once the children of producing country, Pakistan still children of Pakistan. our nation are strong, the future of remains the Second Most He said this while celebrating the our nation will be strong," he said. Malnourished Country in Asia, it power of milk on World Milk Day Ms Nageen Rizvi, Head of has the lowest ranking among 119 along with the children of the SOS Corporate Communications & developing countries in the Global children's village in collaboration Sustainability at Engro Foods Hunger Index, lagging behind our with Engro Food Limited at the Limited, said: "Engro Foods neighbours and some states from Governor's House in Karachi. remains committed to providing Africa. Ismail said: "Every Pakistani child safe dairy products to the Pakistani Pakistan is the world's fifth-most- has the right to healthy nutrition, consumers. It is imperative to build populous country in the world, and as reportedly, 45% of the children awareness about the multiple the children of Pakistan make 42% in Pakistan are facing stunted health issues that emerge from of its population. In Pakistan, the growth due to malnutrition. The consuming the unreliable quality children from low socio-economic to ensure that the milk consumed public and private sectors need to of loose-milk available in Pakistan. sectors do not have access to drink by the people of Pakistan is safe, play their roles in countering this The low-consumption of safe and two glasses of safe milk every day, and it should be made available in challenge. We appreciate Engro healthy milk among children has which is the basic nutritional the market after food safety checks. Foods' commitment to providing resulted in leaving half of the requirement for every child. Due to The unprocessed open milk better nutrition to the Pakistani Pakistani children malnourished malnutrition and insufficient dairy available in the market has high population. and stunted their growth. Pakistan intake, 45% of Pakistani children aflatoxin levels, which makes it "It shows their dedication towards is losing a complete generation." are suffering from stunted growth. hazardous for consumption and a healthier and stronger nation. I This initiative is an effort to build Loose milk currently consumed by can lead to liver failure and cancer. am sure that the private and public awareness about the gravity of 90% of the market is filled with The unawareness in Pakistani sector stakeholders will continue malnutrition and stunting crisis in contamination and does not have consumers has exposed them to to play their role in fighting the Pakistan. Engro Foods being one any food safety checks on it. major health issues; hence, the challenges of stunting and of the foremost dairy nutrition Hence, it does not fulfil the needs problems of stunted growth and malnutrition. I urge the Sindh Food experts in Pakistan remains of the human body. It is imperative Continued on Page 12 Anti-polio drive launched in Karachi

MN Report to save them from a life of KARACHI - The Emergency Operation Center disability," said Umar Farooq for Polio in Sindh will conduct the next polio Bullo, Coordinator EOC Sindh. campaign from 17th-23rd June 2019 in Karachi So far in 2019, Pakistan has and from 17th-20th June in other districts of reported 23 cases of polio out of the province. which 17 have been reported from The EOC for Polio in Sindh is conducting a KP, three from Punjab, and three from week-long anti-polio campaign in the city from Sindh. Out of the 3 cases from, two have 17th June and 17th-20th June in Badin, Thatta, been reported from Karachi. Sajawal, Dadu, Jamshoro, Tando Mohammad "We have been coming up with different zero polio cases. This is our goal, and we will Khan, Tando Allahyar, Shaheed Benazirabad, strategies in order to save children from this continue our efforts till it is achieved," he added. Sanghar, Naushero Feroze, Sukkur, Khairpur, deadly virus, and we will not rest until this virus The EOC strongly encourages parents to visit Ghotki, Larkana, Kambar, Jaccobabad, is completely eliminated from the country. We their nearest health centres and ensure that Shukarpur, and Kashmore. have made huge improvements from 2014, their children have their routine immunization The campaign is being conducted in 26 districts but 2019 has been a difficult year across the courses complete as it is imperative for their of Sindh including six districts of Karachi. The country, and we must rise to the challenge. healthy futures. target population for this campaign is 5,449,788 Parents also must not refuse the polio vaccine The Sindh Government has also been under-five children out of which approximately as they put their children in danger by doing improving the health infrastructure for routine 2.4 million children will be vaccinated in the so," said Coordinator EOC Sindh, Umar Farooq immunization and mother and child health in city of Karachi. Bullo. the province with the opening of new EPI "This is a critical campaign to address positive "The district and divisional administrations centres and mother and child health centres. environment samples and to save children along with partners and front line workers have This practice will continue in order to address from polio. Parents must not fall prey to false worked tirelessly in the province, but more the health needs of mothers and children so propaganda and must vaccinate their children work needs to be done to ensure we reach we may ensure a healthy future for our citizens.

10 MEDICAL NEWS / June 15-30, 2019 MEDICAL NEWS / June 15-30, 2019 11 Vertical health programs ... different departments at the CMC Hospital provided at the Pir Abdul Qadir Shah Jeelani Blood transfusion can save ... Continued from front page in Larkana at an estimated cost of Rs600 Institute of Medical Sciences, Gambat, District Continued from front 07 informed that it was also decided in the million and the Community Mental Health Khairpur, the government has increased the unpaid blood donors for their life-saving gift meeting that a National Action Plan on the Services Program in Sindh with an estimated grant by 60% from Rs2billion to Rs3.6 billion of blood and to raise awareness of the issue of population would will be finalised in cost of Rs275 million to improve the mental during the financial year 2019-20. universal need for safe blood in the delivery next 10 days. He said that the recently health services. Considering the need for blood diseases of health care and the crucial roles that released national nutrition survey had brought The Maternal and Child Health Care Center treatment to the poor masses of the Sindh regular, voluntary donations play in achieving to attention some alarming facts about the at Jamshoro with the grant assistance of province, the Sindh Government has the goal of UHC. nutrition condition of the public in the country JICA, a 200-bed Hospital has been planned allocated Rs500 million for the financial year On this occasion, the WHO is also calling which needed special attention. for Sukkur either through the PPP framework 2019-20. An allocation of Rs1billion has been on all countries to celebrate and thank He said that it had also been decided to or through development financing. earmarked for the endowment fund aimed individuals who donate blood and to launch NAP to address the nutrition issue. The CM, in his budget speech, said that with towards the welfare HIV/AIDS infected encourage those who have not previously "It was felt that national level health programs the completion of 43 schemes during 2019- persons during the fiscal year 2019-20. donated blood to start donating. were lacking some strength," he said. 20, service delivery would be further "Everyone who can donate blood should He said that despite financial issues, federal strengthened at all tiers. The effort would be After Larkana, Faisalabad ... consider making regular donations so that government and provinces would work in reinforced through more effective Continued from page 03 all countries have adequate blood supplies collaboration and generate resources to run implementation of preventive programs, secretary Dr Mohammad Irfan who is also to help those in need," added the Regional health programs effectively. He said that including immunization, AIDS, Hepatitis, working as an assistant professor of Director. number of polio cases increased due to Malaria, TB Control, Blindness Control, and at the Allied Hospital, said the World Health management, coordination, and others for which a provision of Rs4.08 billion Organization (WHO) had warned Pakistan SACP accused of ... administrative failure and the perception has been earmarked. that it was registering approximately 20,000 Continued from page 09 about polio vaccine in public. Murad Ali Shah said that the Sindh new HIV/AIDS cases annually, the highest Services Sindh, Dr Masood Solangi, which Dr Zafar said that the polio program was government with its hard work and dedication rate in the region. reveals the government's intentions and also being technically reviewed and hopefully had made the JMPC, NICVD, and NICH He said the quacks, coupled with sex workers motivation towards this issue. He said being Pakistan will be able to eliminate the virus state of the art institutions with a substantial and transgenders, were also contributing to a Larkana inhabitant himself, he is concerned within two years. budgetary allocation directed for their disease spread. He regretted that quacks about the affairs that have surfaced in He also said that federal hospitals would be improvement and expansion. He added that were running private hospitals and the district Ratodero which has shaken the world that shifted to Medical Teaching Institute system, when the Federal Government had handed administration was taking no action against is why he is constantly trying to get help from for which law is under final stages of over the NICVD to the Sindh government, them. the experts of USA. preparation. On this occasion, Punjab Health it's budget allocation was Rs355 Million in A message was also sent to the provincial He also stated that this was the same reason Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid said that lady the year 2011-12. His government has minister for health, Dr Yasmin Rashid, but he met with former US President Clinton and health workers needed to be strengthened gradually increased its allocation to Rs8.876 she did not reply. his spouse Hillary Clinton and requested for which federal government would provide billion in 2018-19. The NICVD is providing "I will contact the head of the PACP in them to help the HIV affected children of more support to improve and revive LHW timely and accessible cardiac services to Faisalabad Dr Nazia and ask her to submit Benazir Bhutto's home district through their program. the people of Sindh at their doorstep free of a report on the issue," he said. Clinton Foundation which they have promised She said that nursing schools are being up- cost. to consider. graded to nursing colleges in the province, Earlier, there were six chest pain units SHCC’s slacking to be ... He said those few doctors who attended which would be of the international level. functional in Karachi. This year, three more Continued from front 04 lectures are not even filling the forms sent She also said that PM had agreed to provide units have been added in Karachi. The resources. According to Dr Solangi, SHCC to them failing the experts because they did 250 beds hospital for Skardu, which would NICVD satellite centres have been is an independent body and the health not receive the required output. He said even be providing health facilities to the Gilgit- established at Tando Muhammad Khan, department is not authorised to take action SACP Provincial Program Manager and Baltistan people. Larkana, Hyderabad, and Sehwan in against it for its failure to address the growing Incharge, Larkana's HIV/AIDS Treatment & collaboration with the Government of Sindh. number of quacks in the province. Care Center, failed to attend lectures for Sindh Govt increases health ... Four new NICVD satellite centres at Khairpur, Cases of HIV have been continuously rising which they were instructed to do so by the Continued from front page Sukkur, Mithi, and Nawabshah have been in Larkana's Rato Dero tehsil. So far, 26,404 Sindh Health Secretary. For the year 2018-19, Rs13.5 billion was established. people have been screened for HIV in Rato Another retired HIV expert doctor disclosed allocated for 170 schemes, and by June 3rd, We have also improved infrastructure and Dero, out of which 761 have tested positive, that not a single lady doctor attended the 2019, Rs4.61 billion were expanded against service delivery at the JPMC considerably. including 623 minors and 138 adults. The last two lectures even though 150 HIV a release of 8.01 billion. Twelve schemes The emergency department in JPMC and its screening is being carried out under the AIDS positive pregnant women are registered in are likely to be completed by June 2019. CyberKnife Project has already begun Control Programme of the Sindh health the Shaikh Zayed Hospital for Women in Several multi-disciplinary services, such as functioning. department, as a measure to curb the spread Larkana. He said it is very unfortunate, and paediatric cardiology, have been added to Significant Initiatives under the PPP include of HIV in the province. a pity that our doctors are more interested the SIUT. The vaccinators' strength has been providing better facilities with experienced In addition to setting up screening camps to in international tours, TA/DA, lunch & dinners enhanced to 2,768. The recruitment of and professional management. The control the spread of HIV, the health but they are not sincere with their needy additional 1733 vaccinators is currently government handed over various health department has also taken measures to patients. underway. The TB Control Program facilities of remote areas through the PPP ensure that healthcare facilities use auto-lock He said even those doctors are not coming established 350 TB DOTS Clinics and Node to reputable partners likewise HANDS, syringes. Drug inspectors in the province who have been posted in the ART Center installed 110 machines for rapid diagnosis Integrated Health Services (IHS), Medical have been directed to make sure that only and HIV OPD at the Children's Hospital. He of TB and drug resistance within two hours, Emergency Resilience Foundation (MERF), auto-lock syringes are sold at medical stores. said that the Sindh Government is begging in public sector facilities. and the Indus Hospital for better treatment An auto-lock syringe can only be used once for funds but is declining free help. He For ADP 2019-20, the sector is being for the people of Sindh. and ensuring that only these syringes are informed that local NGOs are running from provided with a similar allocation as the out- The Sindh government is providing Rs5.6 available to medical facilities would help pillar to post like hungry vultures to get going year, of Rs13.50 billion. Few of the billion to the SIUT as a grant in the next control the rise in HIV cases. involved in the business, but their past significant envisaged targets include the financial year 2019-20. Considering the The health department has also issued performance has been quite disappointing procurement of Machinery/Equipment for quality services of liver transplantation guidelines about the screening of blood at and thus should be neglected. blood banks and has launched an operation in this regard across Sindh. As per the 45% of Pakistani children ... department's directives, any blood bank found Continued from page 10 to be providing blood without screening would malnutrition among Pakistani Children be sealed. continues to grow. It is imperative that the According to Dr Solangi, the health people of Pakistan consume safe and healthy department took immediate action following milk and World Milk Day is a global initiative 3000/- reports of exponential rise in the number of to create awareness about the importance HIV cases and it has been able to control the of drinking bacteria free, chemical free, spread of the epidemic to some extent. He reliable and healthy milk. It was an awareness said that about 950 clinics of quacks have building initiative about the importance of been sealed in Sindh, with the coordination drinking safe milk. Engro Foods also donated of SHCC. He added that the crackdown on milk for the children of SOS Village. Engro quacks was still underway. Foods Limited was represented by Speaking with reference to the lack of Mohammad Usman Abid, Director of Human medicines in Larkana, he said that another Resources, and Ms Nageen Rizvi, Head of stock of medicines required for HIV treatment Corporate Communication and Sustainability, has been ordered and it is expected to be along with other key representatives from delivered by July this year. Engro Foods.

12 MEDICAL NEWS / June 15-30, 2019 FIR to be registered against those refusing Polio drops

MN Report of Unicef, Dr Abdi of WHO, Village, Orangi Nala, concerned officers. concerned officers for their KARACHI - Sindh Chief Aziz Memon of Rotary Korangi Nala, Haji Mureed The chief minister directed failure to control polio from Minister Syed Murad Ali International and various Goth and Hijrat Colony. the chief secretary to take their area. Shah, while presiding over others. The polio virus was disciplinary action against The chief minister directed Task Force for Polio "In Sindh three cases have detected through the officers, including the the chief secretary to Eradication at the CM emerged during 2019 environmental surveillance. concerned deputy prepare a draft law for House, said that the which is quite painful for In rural areas of the commissioners where polio mandatory childhood polio abolition of Polio had me because last year, province polio virus have virus has been unearthed. vaccination. He directed become a huge challenge 2018, we had only one been detected in New "What our DCs, DHOs, Secretary Finance to for the provincial case in Sindh and two Sukkur, Hyderabad and polio eradication teams, release Rs412 million for government. He assured cases in 2017," the CM Dadu. At this the chief DHOs and other polio workers. that the challenge will be said and added "this shows minister expressing his concerned local bodies CM Murad said that he taken on with utmost that the number of polio displeasure said that from officers are doing in their would personally priority, with renewed and cases are increasing 2015 to March 2019, Dadu areas that polio virus was participate in polio drives more effective strategy. instead of declining". had been cleared from emerging there," he for encouragement of the CM Murad Ali Shah said Shah said that the polio virus and now again questioned and decided to polio teams and activation that cases will be filed provincial government and emergence of the various issue show-cause notice of the concerned against anyone refusing its technical team must must be inefficiency of the of DCS and other departments. the respective service. The make itself accountable for meeting was attended by the rise in the number of Provincial ministers Dr Azra polio cases. "Where we Pechuho, Saeed Ghani, have failed or our efforts Chief Secretary Mumtaz have failed to produce Shah, IG Police Dr Kaleem results," he said. Imam, Principal Secretary It was disclosed in the to CM Sajid Jamal Abro, meeting that polio virus provincial secretaries of have been detected at 11 Home, education, Health, different areas of Karachi Finance, all divisional which include Sohrab commissioners, Goth, Machhar Colony, representatives of federal Khamiso Goth of Gadap, government Dr Malik M. Chakro Nala, Rashid Shafi, MR Tim Peterson of Minhas Road, Mohammad BMGF Seattle, John Agbor Khan Colony, Bakhtawar AKU wins the All Pakistan Medical Quiz MN Report KARACHI - The (AKU) won the two- day long All Pakistan Medical Quiz competition organized by the Jinnah Sindh Medical University's Student Council. A total of sixteen teams of medical students from universities from all over Pakistan participated in the first round following which the AKU, Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS), Jinnah Medical and Dental College, and Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences reach the semi-finals scheduled for day two. On the second day, AKU and DUHS reached the finals which the AKU team later won after a tough fight. AKU's Daniyal Aamir and Kamlesh Mahesh lifted the shield. Vice-Chancellor, JSMU Professor, S M Tariq Rafi, congratulated the winning team and stressed on the importance of healthy competition for the all-round personality development of students. The judges for the event were Dr Fozia Siddiqui of the Aga Khan University, Dr Ahmer of the Civil Hospital Burns Centre, and Dr Saqib Ansari of the National Institute of Blood Diseases. Dr Fozia Siddiqui suggested that more such quiz competitions on special subjects should be organized in the future. Chairperson, Student Council, Dr Ghazala Usman, thanked the judges, guests, and the audience after the event concluded.

MEDICAL NEWS / June 15-30, 2019 13 Experts term quackery a national issue

MN Report briefing was held after the provinces and all of Senior Advisor, KARACHI - The Chief regulatory affairs meeting Pakistan's healthcare UNAIDS, Prof Iqbal Executive Officer of the of the health regulatory regulatory bodies sit Afridi JPMC/JSMU, Sindh Healthcare bodies organized by the together to appraise the Dean & Chairman, Commission, Dr Minhaj Sindh Healthcare issues faced by the Tanwir Ahmed, Member, Qidwai, stated that quackery Commission. provincial Healthcare Pharmacy Council of is a national issue and is Dr Minhaj Qidwai said that Commissions (HCCS'). Pakistan, Ms not confined to any specific the aim behind organizing Eminent leaders from the Mehmooda, Secretary- province. the first regulatory affairs healthcare sector attended General, MAP , Dr Tipu This he said while meeting in Karachi was to the meeting. These included Sultan, former Chairperson, which was agreed upon and addressing a press discuss national health Dr Maha Talaat, Regional SHCC, and Hakim appreciated by all the conference along with the issues with all stakeholders Advisor, Anti-microbial Sirajuddin, Member, attendees. Chief Executive Officer of and devise a national level Resistance Infection National Council of Tibb. Director, Anti-Quackery, the comprehensive strategy to Prevention & Control The meeting discussed SHCC, Dr Ayaz Mustafa, Healthcare Commission eliminate quackery from all (WHO), Fozia Mushtaq, issues which are currently shared a three-tier anti- (HCC), Azar Sardar, and the over the country. He Registrar, Pakistan Nursing faced by the provincial quackery strategy for further Director of Licensing & informed that the SHCC had Council, Dr Amir Khan healthcare commissions harmonization and Accreditation of the Punjab taken the lead in organizing Jogezai, Founder, HELP and needed to be uniformity at provincial cum Healthcare Commission, the first meeting. In the Balochistan, Dr Najam us addressed to streamline the national level. Anwar Janjua, at a local meeting, the healthcare Saqib, Additional Director, procedures for establishing Dr Maha Talaat, Regional hotel in Karachi. The media commissions of other DRAP, Fahmida Iqbal, quality in the provision of Advisor, Anti-Microbial healthcare services with Resistance Infection the regulatory councils, Prevention & Control i.e. PMDC, PNC, DRAP, (WHO), while addressing NTC, NHC, etc. the meeting, said that an There is also a need to Infection Prevention Control define the scope of work program needs to be of non-regulated incorporated into the current healthcare organizations scope of the Healthcare such as the Sindh Commissions of Pakistan. Medical Faculty, Electro- In Pakistan, 10% of the homeopathy, Allied patients who undergo Council of Pakistan, and surgeries get infections after the Complementary and those surgeries. Alternative systems of Dr Maha emphasized that Medicines (CAM). without any IPC program, Other issues that were infectious diseases like also discussed included AIDS, Hepatitis C, and other mal-practice of infections may not be healthcare providers, controlled in Pakistan. which are jeopardizing Provision of supplies such the healthcare system as gloves and masks are even more. These necessities but are include qualified doctors unavailable in hospitals, giving their degree on especially in rural areas rent, doctors practising hospitals. beyond the scope, It was also discussed in the government doctors meeting that proper price working simultaneously control measures must be in private hospitals, taken to regulate the prices dispensers running of various healthcare public healthcare services. facilities, and much Regulations must be more. introduced for e-Health and Dr Tipu Sultan, former online pharmacies, whereas Chairperson, SHCC, some acts such as the emphasized on the need Sindh Emergency to make these regulatory Procurement Act of 2014, bodies corruption free Sindh Regulation and and said that these Control of Disposable bodies were formed as Syringes Act 2010 of Sindh, autonomous bodies and Act No. IV of 2011 were should be able to made, but no perform their functions implementation has been without any interference observed so far. from the government and In the end, suggestions other entities. were made by the Dr Minhaj Qidwai, CEO, participants for improving SHCC, proposed the regulations and legislation constitution of a National regarding healthcare Regulatory Council services in Pakistan.

14 MEDICAL NEWS / June 15-30, 2019 PMA issues guideline for people to survive heat-wave

MN Report is expected to range from instead wear light shoes. KARACHI - The Pakistan 40-42 degree Celsius. Do not indulge in outdoor Medical Association During this scorching heat, sports and wear (Centre) has urged the people are requested to lightweight, light-coloured, ask the K- Electric to avoid rescue workers to move residents of the coastal belt adopt the following loose-fitting clothing. load-shedding during these the affected person to a of the Sindh province to preventive measures to He stated that children and days while the KWSB shady place and make sure take preventive measures protect themselves from older adults should be should not impede the that he/she is breathing to avoid the ongoing heat- the heat-wave. more careful during the water supply at any time. well. Give them clean wave. He urged the people to heat-wave because they He explained that the drinking water but in case Secretary-General, PMA avoid going out are more prone to its symptoms of a heat-stroke of unconsciousness, do not Centre, Dr S M Qaisar unnecessarily during the effects owing to low include itching, weakness, put water or any edible into Sajjad, in his statement, day between 11:00 am to immunity. Eat light home- headache, rapid pulse, low the mouth. Cool the stated that the Met office 4:00 pm. If it is necessary cooked meals. Stay blood pressure, nausea & person's entire body by forecasted a heat-wave to go out, make it sure that indoors, however, if going vomiting, muscular pains, sponging or spraying cold likely to grip Karachi and you do not stay longer in out is unavoidable, then and unconsciousness. water, monitor the pulse other coastal areas of sunlight. Cover the head drink more water. Always On encountering any heat and blood pressure of the Sindh during which the with a cap or wet cloth. Do use boiled water. The stroke affected individuals, patient, and shift the patient maximum day temperature not go out barefoot and government should strictly Dr Qaisar Sajjad urged the to a hospital urgently. More than 2 eggs a day could harm your heart

MN Report KARACHI - Researchers have warned that eating more than two eggs a day can increase the risk of death by contributing to the development of cardiovascular diseases. An American research study tracked the diets, health, and lifestyle habits of nearly 30,000 adults in the US for as long as 31 years. According to Katherine Tucker, Professor at the University of Massachusetts in Lowell, the cholesterol in eggs, when consumed in large quantities, is associated with ill health effects, According to the US Department of Agriculture, one large egg contains nearly 200 milligrams of cholesterol, roughly the same amount as an eight-ounce steak. Consuming more than 300 milligrams of cholesterol per day was associated with a 17% higher risk of cardiovascular disease and an 18% higher risk of death. "Eating several eggs a week is reasonable, but I recommend people to avoid eating three egg omelettes every day. Nutrition is all about moderation and balance," said Tucker. Fitness Facility Center inaugurated at CPO MN Report KARACHI - A Fitness Facility Center equipped with the latest exercise machines was recently opened at the Central Police Office (CPO). During the inaugural ceremony at the CPO, the Minister For Mines & Mineral Development, Shabbir Ali Bijrani, IGP Sindh, Dr Syed Kaleem Imam, and the Consul General of China, Wang Yu, inaugurated the gym for the officials of the CPO. On this occasion, the IGP said that the aim behind the establishment of the centre was to provide a physical fitness facility to the officials and staff of the CPO. He informed that this fitness facility centre was equipped with nine of the latest exercise machines and equipment, including an abdominal crunch machine, a toaster and an exercise cycling machine. MEDICAL NEWS / June 15-30, 2019 15 16 MEDICAL NEWS / June 15-30, 2019

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