Corrupt officials and vested commercial interests sabotage indigenous production of economically priced Interferon
KARACHI: Corrupt officials and vested commercial interests have sabotaged the indigenous production of economically priced Interferon used for the treatment of Hepatitis-C which is more infectious than AIDS virus. At present the average carrier rate of Hepatitis-C in Pakistan is about 7.5% which varies considerably from location to location as in some areas the prevalence is between 20- 30%. The result is that a vast majority of patients suffering from Hepatitis-C who cannot afford expensive medications are dying and it appears they will continue to die in the days to come as well thanks to the inefficient and incompetent health officials and government functionaries.
Punjab to establish new medical colleges at Bahawalnagar, Bhakar and Attok
LAHORE: The Government of Punjab plans to establish new medical colleges at Bahawalnagar, Bhakar and Attok for which funds have been allocated in the next year’s budget. In all Rs. 166.13 Billion has been allocated for Health which is 14% of the total provincial budget. It is also planned to establish a cancer hospital at Lahore, cancer treatment center in Multan, Children Hospitals at Gujranwala, Rawalpindi and Bahawalpur.
Functional GI disorders include Functional Dyspepsia and Irritable Bowel Syndrome- Dr. Zahid Azam
KARACHI: Dow University of Health Sciences in collaboration with Pakistan Society of Gastroenterology and G.I.Endoscopy organized a meeting at DUHS Campus on May 29th 2015 to celebrate the World Digestive Health Day. It was jointly chaired by Prof. Saeed Qureshi President PSG & GI Endoscopy, Prof. Abu Talib and Prof. Rauf Memon.
We can implement Modular System of Integrated Spiral Curriculum within six months to a year
LAHORE: Ever since assuming the responsibilities of Vice Chancellor of University of Health Sciences, Prof. Maj. Gen. (Retd) Mohammad Aslam is trying his best to improve the academic standard and promote research culture at this institution as well as at its affiliated medical and dental colleges. An institution is only as good as its faculty and UHS is lucky to have a highly qualified, experienced, dedicated, devoted faculty and the result is that University of Health Sciences continues to retain its Second best position among the universities in Pakistan as per ranking by the Higher Education Commission.
Professionalism needs to be further strengthened among doctors as they protect Human Rights-Prof. Zakriya Zakir
LAHORE: Professionalism needs to be further strengthened among the doctors community as they play a vital role in protecting human rights. This was stated by Prof. Zakriya Zakir from Dept. of Sociology and Population Sciences, Punjab University while speaking at the Second Prize Distribution ceremony of Professionalism Punjab held at University of Health Sciences on June 12, 2015. He further stated that we must uphold human dignity and medical profession should take care of professionalism at its own. We must empower the medical profession, strengthen its education system, professionalism and they should be protected.
Single protein causes Parkinson’s disease and Multiple System Atrophy
Several neurodegenerative disorders are caused by aggregates of a single protein known as alpha-synuclein. In collaboration with CNRS and the University of Antwerp, KU Leuven neurobiologists have discovered that the shape of these aggregates – ‘cylinders’ or ‘ribbons’ – determines whether a patient develops Parkinson’s disease or Multiple System Atrophy, respectively.
Biomedica Editorial Board meeting discuss measures to improve the journal
LAHORE: An Editorial Board meeting of Biomedica, official publication of University of Health Sciences was held at UHS campus on June 11, 2015. It was jointly chaired by Prof. A.H. Nagi Founding Chief Editor and Prof. I. A. Naveed Executive Editor of the Journal. Others who were present included Dr. Saqib Mahmood, Dr. Nadeem Afzal, Mr. Muhammad Atif, Dr. Nadia Naseem Dr. Shah Jahan, Ms. Tahira Bano, Brig. Ihsanul Haq Wafa. Mr. Shaukat Ali Jawaid Chief Editor and Dr. Masood Jawaid Associate Editor of Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences attended the meeting on a special invitation.
Medical Camp Kits replace primary health care facilities in Nepal before monsoon
KATHMANDU: The race to restore primary health care services disrupted by Nepal’s 25 April and 12 May earthquakes is on with the deployment of 50 Medical Camp Kits (MCKs) throughout the country’s 14 most-affected districts. The MCKs, which will be deployed in the next week by WHO in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) and World Food Program (WFP), will be a critical step to ensure that basic health services are restored in outlying areas before the onset of the monsoons in June.
Painkillers before oral surgery fail to ensure relief
Giving drugs before surgery to reduce postoperative pain is nothing new. With today’s widespread misuse of prescription drugs for post-operative pain, using drugs before surgery to reduce use of painkillers could be highly desirable. But does it work?
Cardiac Patients and the Holy Month of Ramadan
The month of Ramadan offers an opportunity to improve one’s life style with numerous benefits. Some of these benefits on cardiovascular system and body are as under:
With aging populations worldwide, the number of osteoporotic hip fractures has increased- Dr. Humeira Badshah
LAHORE: Osteoporosis and Vitamin-D deficiency was the topic of presentation by Dr. Humeira Badshah Consultant Rheumatologist from Medical Center, Dubai in the scientific session –III during the rheumatology conference held at Lahore recently. Osteoporosis, she said, is defined as low bone density and low bone quality with increased risk of fractures. She further pointed out that one year’s mortality after hip fracture is very high.
Major reasons were Unrealistic expectations of patients, communication failure, human error, unexpected outcome, sub-standard care and management failure-Lubna Baig
KARACHI: International Committee of Red Cross initiated a study to find out the reasons and cause of violence against healthcare professionals and at healthcare facilities in Karachi sometime ago. The initial findings of this study were presented at a meeting held at PMA House Karachi on Saturday June 6, 2015 which was very well attended by all the stake holders i.e., healthcare professionals, heads of medical institutions, representative from the law enforcing agencies, NGOs and the city administration.
Essential Drugs – A story of corruption and betrayal of People
“I have read with a heavy heart an article published in Pulse International of May 15, 2015 titled “Essential Drugs, a story of corruption and betrayal of people” by Lt Gen Prof. Emeritus Mahmood Ahmad Akhtar former Surgeon General / DGMS (IS) who has been fighting virtually alone battle for the past quarter of a century! I repeat two quotes from his illuminating write up summarizing the entire story which some readers may have missed.
Regular training of nurses, paramedics and following SOPs can reduce spread of Hepatitis-Dr. Sarah Feroze
KARACHI: Dr. Sarah Feroze Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at DUHS/ Civil Hospital Karachi was the chief guest at the monthly lucky draw organized by Otsuka Pakistan Limited in connection with its on going campaign against Hepatitis held recently. Speaking at the occasion, she said that pricking of IV bottle is an old habit and many paramedics are pricking IV bottles to increase or maintain the flow of infusion.
Swift intervention doubles survival rate from cardiac arrest
A team of Swedish researchers finds that early cardiopulmonary resuscitation more than doubles the chance of survival for patients suffering out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. The percentage of patients who receive life-saving resuscitation has also increased substantially thanks to so-called SMS Lifesavers. These results are published simultaneously in two studies in New England Journal of Medicine.