Day: September 11, 2021

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World First Aid Day 2021

Karachi, September 11, 2021 (PPI-OT):First aid can be the difference between someone’s life and death, and basic knowledge of first aid procedures can help you and your loved ones get through a medical crisis. First aid procedures are a series of actions aimed at stabilising a sick or injured individual until they receive initial treatment from a trained medical team. The importance of first aid is fundamental, be it in case of a minor wound or a cardiac arrest.

Instances that require First Aid

1. Bleeding: Irrespective of its severity, all instances of bleeding must be controlled and monitored constantly. Possible first aid procedures to help in such cases include rinsing the wound with water (subject to the wound’s condition), wrapping the wound with a cloth or a bandage, and applying pressure to the wound to stop the bleeding.

2. Burns: Burns are one of the more common household injuries and immediate identification and necessary first aid procedure can limit its severity. First aid measures include cooling the burn with cool (but not icy) or lukewarm water for 20 minutes and keeping warm till the patient is brought to the Emergency.

3. CPR: In the case of a cardiac arrest, timing is crucial. An essential first aid procedure in such an instance is CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation). Performing chest compressions and rescue breathing until medical officers arrive can be the difference between life and death.

4. Choking: Windpipe hindrance is a primary cause of choking, and first aid procedures for choking vary depending on the severity. The most obvious first aid procedure in the case of adults involves performing the Heimlich Maneuver.

5. Sprains: Primarily caused in connective tissues or ligaments, sprains can be caused by sudden wrenching or twisting a joint. First aid procedures in such cases comprise limiting the activity that can worsen the injury, cold compresses over the injured area, compression and keeping the injured area elevated. Sporting activities and exercise should be limited as a precaution until complete medical diagnosis to determine the cause of the sprain.

Be Prepared

Medical emergencies can arise at any given point in time. Ideally, only certified persons should perform first aid in providing immediate care in emergencies; however, given the pandemic, not everyone has access to primary healthcare. Therefore, every one of us must have basic first aid training, ensuring timely problem recognition and providing immediate care until we reach a healthcare facility for further treatment.

Another aspect of emergency preparedness includes regular maintenance of a first aid kit at home, familiarising yourself with its contents, and alerting the local medical services in your locality in case of an emergency. It is also essential to be aware of policies at work related to medical emergencies.

Must Haves in your first-aid kit (courtesy NHS).

Plasters in a variety of different sizes and shapes

Small, medium, and large sterile gauze dressings

At least two sterile eye dressings

Triangular bandages

Crêpe rolled bandages

Safety pins

Disposable sterile gloves

Tweezers

Scissors

Alcohol-free cleansing wipes

Sticky tape

Thermometer (preferably digital)

Skin rash creams, such as hydrocortisone or calendula

Cream or spray to relieve insect bites and stings

Antiseptic cream

Painkillers such as paracetamol (or infant paracetamol for children), aspirin (not to be given to children under 16), or ibuprofen

Antihistamine cream or tablets

Distilled water for cleaning wounds

Eyewash and eye bath

In case of an emergency, call our Emergency Department: 021-3486-1090.

Other Emergency Contacts: Karachi

Aman: UAN: +92 (21) 111-111-823 Aman Ambulance: 1021

Chippa Ambulance: 1020

Edhi: 115

Edhi Ambulance Control: 021 204800-205656

Police Helpline: 15​

For more information, contact:
Marketing and Communications,
The Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH)
Stadium Road, P.O. Box 3500, Karachi – 74800, Pakistan
Tel: +92-21-111-911-911
Email: akuh.information@aku.edu
Website: https://hospitals.aku.edu/pakistan/

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Massive hike in prices of edibles hugely worrisome: Mian Rehan Maqbool 

Lahore, September 11, 2021 (PPI-OT):Mian Rehan Maqbool, senior PAT leader and a member of the core committee, has expressed his deep concern about the recurrent increase in the prices of flour. He said that the 8th time increase in the flour prices in one month is a new record. He said that the surge in the rates of the flour will neither help in paying the foreign debt nor will we be able to get rid of the IMF this way. He asked the government not to force the poor to starvation and suicide.

Mian Rehan Maqbool said that the hike in the prices of the POL products is understandable as these products are imported and their prices are determined in the international market, but contrarily, wheat is not imported but then why are the prices of bread and flour increased every other day? He warned if the prices of the eatables were not controlled, the government will pay a heavy price in the next elections.

PAT leader said that the district administration has allowed the increase in the rates of 13 edibles that include rice, pulses, milk, beef, and mutton. He said that these items are not available in the markets at the rate determined by the district administration. He said that things are being sold at inflated prices than the ones fixed by the government.

Mian Rehan Maqbool said that three years have gone by since this government came into power but it failed to evolve any mechanism to control escalation in prices. He said that prices will not be brought down by arresting small-time vendors and cart pushers and fining them, adding that the government will have to act against the big fish such as hoarders that manipulate markets and milk the system. He said that the government has fair experience of how the mafia operates when it tried fixing the prices of sugar and it must use to bring the situation under control.

For more information, contact:
Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT)
365-M, Model Town,
Lahore, Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-111-140-140
Email: info@pat.com.pk
Website: www.pat.com.pk

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Pakistan-New Zealand ODIs status changed 

Islamabad, September 11, 2021 (PPI-OT):Pakistan Cricket Board and New Zealand Cricket have mutually agreed to change the status of next week’s ODI series to a bilateral series from the ICC Cricket World Cup Super League fixtures due to the non-availability of Decision Review System (DRS), a requirement in the event playing conditions.

As New Zealand will return to Pakistan in the 2022-23 season to play two Tests and three ODIs, the two boards have agreed that these 50-over matches will now count towards the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 qualification.

For more information, contact:
Media Manager,
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)
Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore 54600, Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-5717231-4
Fax: +92-42-5711860
Website: www.pcb.com.pk

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Cricketers excited to welcome New Zealand after 18 years 

Rawalpindi, September 11, 2021 (PPI-OT):Former men cricketers and members of the current women’s national team have expressed their thrill and excitement to welcome New Zealand men’s national cricket team for their historic tour. The Black Caps will arrive in Pakistan today for three One-Day Internationals and five T20 Internationals. This is their first tour since 2003, when they were beaten 5-0 by the hosts in an ODI series.

Former Test captain Rashid Latif: “It is a great news for passionate cricket fans that New Zealand are arriving in Pakistan after a long gap. I still remember a match between Pakistan and New Zealand in Karachi when Shoaib Akhtar bowled really fast and took six wickets.

“The series is a great opportunity for young Pakistan players to express their talent. I am sure fans will turn up to the stadiums in Rawalpindi and Lahore to witness exciting matches between both sides.”

Test wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal: “Witnessing international stars playing in front of them brings joy to the faces of the fans and I am hopeful the series will help promote the game in Pakistan.”

Women’s team all-rounder Nida Dar: “I am looking forward to what promises to be exciting series. My well-wishes are with the men in green and I am sure they will do well.”

National women’s team captain Javeria Khan: “It is really encouraging for the game that New Zealand is coming to Pakistan after a long gap. In this historic series, I am backing Babar Azam and his team to win.”

Former Test cricketer and now national U19 coach Ijaz Ahmed: “The tour of New Zealand is another step forward towards the complete resumption of international cricket in Pakistan. After New Zealand, England are due to visit next month here, which is fantastic for the cricket fans.

“The fans are urged to turn to stadiums keeping necessary social distancing so they can enjoy the game safely.” Former Test cricketer Imran Farhat: “I am very happy to see New Zealand making a visit here again. I have some great memories of playing against New Zealand at home.”

Former Test cricketer Yasir Hameed: “It is really great to see New Zealand coming to Pakistan after Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and South Africa made successful tours recently. New Zealand are a tough side and I am looking forward to competitive cricket.”

For more information, contact:
Media Manager,
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)
Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore 54600, Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-5717231-4
Fax: +92-42-5711860
Website: www.pcb.com.pk

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Special meeting of the Board of Governors on Monday 

Lahore, September 11, 2021 (PPI-OT):A Special Meeting of the Board of Governors will take place on Monday, 13 September, at 1100 at the High Performance in Lahore to elect the 36th PCB Chairman. The PCB Election Commissioner, Mr Justice (retd) Sheikh Azmat Saeed, will conduct the election and preside over the Special Meeting.

Mr Aasim Wajid Jawad, Ms Alia Zafar, Mr Asad Ali Khan, Mr Arif Saeed, Mr Javed Kurieshi, Mr Ramiz Raja and Mr Wasim Khan are members of the BoG and will attend the special meeting. At 1415 inside the Bob Woolmer Indoor School, NHPC, the newly-elected PCB Chairman will hold his media conference, which will be live-streamed on all PCB social media channels.

As per the PCB Covid-19 Protocols, which are designed to ensure health and wellbeing of all involved, only reporters and correspondents who are fully vaccinated and have immunisation certificates are invited to attend the media conference. TV news channels will be welcome to use PCB’s broadcast quality live-stream details of which will be shared shortly before the start of the media conference.

For more information, contact:
Media Manager,
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)
Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore 54600, Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-5717231-4
Fax: +92-42-5711860
Website: www.pcb.com.pk

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Baldia factory fire: Nine years passed but real culprits still scot-free, regret workers 

Karachi, September 11, 2021 (PPI-OT):The fire in Ali Enterprises factory in Baldia Town Karachi is the worst industrial mishap in the history of Pakistan in which 260 workers had lost their lives. Today on the anniversary of this sad incident the bereaved families and the workers organizations are concerned that despite the passage of nine long years, the real culprits of this incident are still scot-free, said leaders of workers organizations, speaking at a memorial gathering, jointly organized by National Trade Union Federation (NTUF), Ali Enterprises Factory Fire Affectees Association and Home-based Women Workers Federation (HBWWF), here Saturday, led by Saeeda Khatoon.

They said that as there had been no proper safety arrangements at the Ali Enterprises, 260 innocent workers burned alive and more than 100 others got injured. To give this incident the colour of terrorism, some vested interests tried to hide the widespread lawlessness and anti-workers atmosphere in our factories and workplaces but these matters could not be swept under carpet. They said the incidents like Baldia and Mehran Town factory fires and mishaps in Lakhra and Balochistan coalmines show that the murder of workers in industrial mishaps could only be stopped when the negligent factory owners, officers of labour and building control authority and fire brigade and social security departments are taken to the task. They said that the incident of the Baldia factory fire would continue to remind the law enforcing officials and elected representatives of political parties to dole out justice to the bereaved families.

The speakers said that it was sad that the owners of the Baldia factory were termed innocent and moreover the German courts also failed to make accountable the German brand. They said today it could be said that the ILO conventions, GSP-plus agreement with European Union, accords with international brands and other voluntarily agreements have failed to give protection to the workers. They said that it has become necessary that such international laws should be enacted that make bound the international companies, brands and governments to ensure safety at workplaces.

They said in this regard recent law making in Germany and an international accord are the good omens. They said that in this 21st century the Pakistani workers are still demanding the rights that were given to the workers in the 19th century by the imperialists’ rulers under their colonial system. During last 70 years the number of labour unions in Pakistan has decreased from 30percent to just one percent. The labour inspection department has been put on the back burner. Less than 5percent factories pay their workers the minimum wages as announced by the government. The same situation is seen in the areas of pension and social security.

They reminded that the government of Sindh had announced to observe the day of September 11, as the health and safety day, but since last two years this day is simply not being observed. The same government in 2017 had passed a Sindh workers safety and health Act, but it is yet to be implemented. They said that the heirs of the martyrs of Baldia factory for are still running from the pillar to post to get justice. Despite the clear instructions of the Sindh High Court, the EOBI has stopped the pension of the parents of the heirs without any prior information and due to this, these ages people are facing many hardships. At least 13 of them have already died due financial and medical problems.

They added that it is heartening that the labour organizations of Pakistan in their countrywide meeting have decided to wage a struggle from a joint platform for safeguarding the rights of workers and today they are present in this gathering to express solidarity. They said as a result of the struggle of the international workers movement, they have agreed upon an international accord in which the Brands and Companies are made bound to give workers their rights including the right of making labour unions, and ensure safety and health standards at workplaces.

They further said that it is heartening that under this accord a proper monitoring system is made its part to check the violations and it would benefit the affected workers. They said that we will try that this accord is also implemented in Pakistan in its letter and spirit.

On the occasion of the ninth anniversary of the Baldia factory fire incident, they speakers demanded that:

1. A high-level judicial commission should be established to start a probe afresh into the Baldia factory fire incident so that the responsibility could be fixed and solid steps be taken to stop the blatant violation of laws in industrial sector.

2. The stopped EOBI pension to the parents of the martyred workers of Baldia factory fire should be restored.

3. The stopped Sessi pension the widows, who have remarried, should be restored.

4. A compensation of Rs2.5million each should be immediately paid to the heirs of Mehran Town factory fire, besides giving them pension.

5. Strict implementation of Sindh workers safety and health Act should be ensured and such laws should also be passed in the other provinces.

6. Factory inspection system should be revamped and annual inspection of every factory should be ensured.

7. A monument should be erected in the memory of the martyrs of Baldia factory fire.

8. The government of Sindh should provide the promised jobs and residential plots to the heirs of the martyred workers.

9. A Pakistan Accord on the pattern of Bangladesh Accord should be inked to improve working conditions and working hours in Pakistani factories.

10. The system of labour inspection should be modernized so that strict steps could be taken to ensure safety of workers in factories and workplaces.

11. We demand from the elected representatives of Pakistan to raise voice against sacking of 16000 government employees due to a court decision and come with a joint strategy in Parliament so that the sacked employees could be restored and their families saved from an economic murder.

Those spoke included Nasir Mansoor general secretary NTUF, Rafiq Baloch president NTUF, Zehra Khan general secretary HBWWF, Karamat Ali convenor National Labour Council, Habibuddin Junaidi president Peoples Labour Bureau, Comrade Gul Rehman of Workers Rights Movement, Saira Bano general secretary United Home-based Women Garment Workers Union, Aqib Hussain president Youth Committee, Khan Zaman of Balochistan Labour Federation, Qazi Khizar, Vice Chairperson HRCP, Niaz Khan of Progressive Labour Federation, Mian Qayoon of Labour Qaumi Movement, Taufiq Ahmed, Ali Ashraf Naqvi, former OSH inspector and joint director, Comrade Jannat and other and others.

For more information, contact:
Home Based Women Workers Federation (HBWWF)
726, Mashrique Centre, Block 14, Gulshan-e-Iqbal,
Karachi, Pakistan
Tel: +92-21-37075324
Website: https://hbwwf.org/