Health & Safety – Page 54 – Newswire Pakistan

December 9, 2021

SVP AKFP paid visits to Aghosh Alkhidmat Hala

Lahore, December 09, 2021 (PPI-OT):Senior Vice President Alkhidmat Pakistan Syed Ihsaan Ullah Waqas along with Assistant Secretary-General AKFP Aijaz Ullah Khan and President AKFS Dr. Tabassum Jaffari paid a visit to Aghosh Alkhidmat Hala. They visited the building and spent quality time with the children. The performance and future plans of Aghosh Alkhidmat Hala were also discussed in the Visit.

For more information, contact:
Al-Khidmat Foundation Pakistan
711, Block J-2 Johar Town, Lahore, Pakistan
Tel: +92-42 35957260
Fax: +92-42 35957261
Email: info@al-khidmatfoundation.org
Website: http://al-khidmatfoundation.org/

December 9, 2021December 10, 2021

Al-Shifa Trust completed trial of maximum 2700 volunteers among 6 hospitals

Rawalpindi, December 09, 2021 (PPI-OT):Al-Shifa Trust held its first international research conference regarding the results of the Clinical Trial of the third and final phase of COVID-19. The Government of Pakistan has selected six hospitals for trials and the Al-Shifa Trust Hospital Research Center completed 2,700 volunteers, the maximum number of trials among all the hospitals.

Now, Pakistan has become a dependable country for clinical trials as its results were better than the other eight countries and it has become an important part of global research to combat the pandemic, experts said. They noted that Pakistan turned the pandemic problem into an opportunity for research and according to the participants of the conference, now Pakistan is being studied as a model in dealing with COVID-19.

WHO Representative in Pakistan Dr. Palitha Mahipala said that Al-Shifa has helped the global effort against pandemic and noted that health and research facilities in Pakistan have rapidly transformed to cope with the challenge. Pakistani institutions should actively participate in local, regional and national clinical trials testing new therapies for COVID-19 and the country could earn around 150 million dollars annually from the Clinical Trials, said Mahipala.

Chinese representative Miss Maria Song said that leading Chinese pharma companies are very encouraged by the response of Pakistani authorities and dedicated efforts of health and research facilities and the outcome of trials are also very promising. Al-Shifa Trust President Major General Rehmat Khan (Retd) said, “I want to thank everyone who participated in our clinical trials.”

He said that in the beginning, we were in a state of fear and people were also scared but we accepted the challenge of clinical trials to play a role in providing the best vaccine to the nation. At the time when healthcare research is experiencing fundamental transformation under pressing concerns of the COVID-19 pandemic, the conference organised by trust has encouraged a dialogue between stakeholders that kept participants engaged in learning and sharing the latest research insights, he added.

Dr. Zahid A. Butt, Assistant Professor, University of Waterloo, Canada, Maj Gen Aamer Ikram, ED, National Institute of Health, Dr. Shahzad Ali Khan, VC, Health Services Academy, Islamabad, Prof. Dr. Saira Afzal, Dean Preventive Medicine, Prof. Dr. Saira Afzal, Dean Preventive Medicine, King Edward Medical University, Prof. Dr. Tanvir Khaliq, VC, Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University, Dr. Abdur Rasheed, Director DRAP, Dr. Jawad Gill, Head of Clinical Operations DRK Pharma, Prof. Dr Wajid Ali Khan, Chief of Medical Services, Al-Shifa Trust, and Dr. Ume Sughra, Principal Investigator, Al-Shifa Trust were among the keynote speakers.

For more information, contact:
Executive Director,
Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital
Jhelum Road, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Phone: +92-51-5487820-24, 0336-5487666
Fax: +92-51-5487827
Email: ed@alshifaeye.org
Website: https://www.alshifaeye.org/

December 9, 2021December 10, 2021

Voices Against Tobacco Ambassadors Conduct Community Research Survey on Tobacco Use in Islamabad

Karachi, December 09, 2021 (PPI-OT):Voices Against Tobacco (VAT), an initiative of Indus Hospital and Health Network (IHHN), today announced the results of a community research survey that showcases the dire need for change in tobacco control policies in Pakistan. The results were presented by VAT Student Ambassadors, who are rallying for the health and well-being of their communities, emphasizing that better policies are needed in order to reduce tobacco consumption.

“VAT aims to create a dialogue about the need for meaningful change to improve tobacco control measures in Pakistan and empower the youth to take ownership of their health and future,” said Dr. Saima Saeed, Director of IHHN’s Lung Health Program. Through trainings in tobacco control and community mobilization, students of the Islamabad/Rawalpindi campuses of the Punjab Group of Colleges carried out surveys within their communities, families and peers.

Over 1,200 households were surveyed to understand their attitudes and habits around tobacco. Out of these, over half (55%) included a tobacco user, and the average expenditure on tobacco was almost PKR. 70,000 per year. And yet, of those who consumed tobacco, only 48% perceived tobacco as extremely hazardous.

“There is clear, persistent use of tobacco in Pakistan, supplemented by a lack of understanding of the extent of the dangers of tobacco. While the entire population is affected by this, the youth are especially vulnerable and susceptible,” said Malik Imran, Country Head of Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids.

Students found that 70% of households believe that tobacco advertisement influence children into consumption. While stress relief was the most commonly chosen reason as to why people start smoking, households also agreed that curiosity, peer pressure and influence by elders play a significant role. In addition to outside influences, accessibility of tobacco also creates a gateway to usage. 70% of households agreed that cigarettes are affordable for the youth, and 76% agree that sufficient measures are not being taken to decrease consumption.

“This clearly indicates that people are ready for a change and are expecting the policymakers to do more” said Dr. Abdul Bari Khan, Chief Executive Officer, IHHN also noted that making tobacco products unaffordable comes under WHO guideline for tobacco control that Pakistan being a member, is obliged to follow.

Because the youth are more sensitive to the cost of goods, making tobacco products less affordable is likely to impact their consumption directly. A 30% increase in Federal Excise Duty on tobacco will result in 219,000 fewer smokers, 348,000 lives of future young smokers saved and PKR 19 Billion in additional total tax revenue.

As part of the initiative, VAT has launched a national petition asking for improved tobacco control policy, starting with a 30% tax increase on tobacco products. By signing the petition, supporters can push for greater measures for tobacco control, reducing consumption and protecting the health of Pakistani youth.

The Community survey shows the dedication and passion in our youth to work for the betterment of the future of Pakistan, now it is our time to help them realize their dream and work towards increasing the tax on tobacco products. The chief guest, Dr Nausheen Hamid, Federal Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of National Health Services, noted as well that it is our duty and responsibility to provide a safer and healthier future for our youth to thrive in.

For more information, contact
The Indus Hospital (TIH)
C-76, Sector 31/5, Opposite Darussalam Society,
Korangi Crossing, Karachi – 75190, Pakistan
Tel: +92-21-35112709-17
Fax: +92-21-35112718
Email: crd@indushospital.org.pk
Website: http://www.indushospital.org.pk/

December 9, 2021December 10, 2021

AKUH Delivers the First-Ever Gene Therapy in Pakistan for Spinal Muscular Atrophy

Karachi, December 09, 2021 (PPI-OT):Shavez, a two-year-old boy from Chiniot, was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) at the age of 6 months. In this condition, patients experience muscle weakness, decreased muscle tone, limited mobility, breathing problems, delayed motor skills and scoliosis (curvature of the spine) and other serious health problems. Many children suffering from this condition do not survive beyond their second birthday.

This news devasted Shavez’s parents. His elder sister already had this condition, and they knew all too well what it meant for their child’s life. “Even though we had a daughter with the same condition, no doctor ever told us that the condition could occur again if we got pregnant”, said Liaqat Ali Ghauri, Shavez’s father.

SMA is a group of hereditary diseases that destroys motor neurons – nerve cells in the brain stem and spinal cord that control essential skeletal muscle activity such as speaking, walking, breathing, and swallowing, leading to muscle weakness and atrophy. Even though there is a lack of data to assess the prevalence of SMA in Pakistan, cousin marriages are the most common reason attributed for its occurrence. Global data suggests that 1 in 10,000 live births are affected by SMA with a carrier frequency of approximately 1 in 50.

Liaqat had done his research with his daughter and knew there were no treatment options available until 2019, when Novartis, a global pharmaceuticals company, developed a gene therapy drug to cure the condition. This medication had shown promising results for patients in the United States and Europe.

This is a new drug that only requires one dose to cure the disorder, but the cost of this drug is millions of dollars, making it out of reach for most people. Novartis developed a globally managed access programme to provide free-of-cost therapy to 100 patients a year to address this. Shavez was one such lucky patient, selected by Novartis to receive the drug and became the first such candidate in Pakistan.

Dr Salman Kirmani, Associate Professor and Chair, Division of Women and Child Health, at the Aga Khan University and his team, saw Shavez in June 2020, when he was one and a half years old, and applied for him to be part of Novartis’s Managed Access Program. Soon, they received the nomination for the drug. Dr Kirmani’s team spent the next six months training the staff, working with authorities to receive the medication, and running the necessary tests to assess if Shavez was fit to receive the drug.

Shavez was administered the drug one day before his second birthday. Since then, he has received regular consultations and has shown significant improvement. The doctors at AKUH are hopeful that they will continue to see further progress in the years to come.

“We found out about this drug in 2019, but we thought we would not receive it until much later. But then, we found out about the programme and were lucky enough to have received it. Ten months later, we see significant improvement in Shavez’s condition, and we will continue to provide life-long follow-up to monitor his health”, said Dr Salman Kirmani.

“I thought our lives had ended, but we were living in hopes that there might be a miracle and one of our babies would survive. And there we have it, Shavez is recovering day by day. It is all because of the hard work of the doctors, nurses and staff at the Aga Khan University Hospital. Allah has been very kind to us”, said Mrs Liaqat.

For Shavez’s treatment, in addition to the drug cost, his family needed financial support to cover other treatment costs. This they received from Aga Khan University Hospital’s Welfare Programme. The hospital is committed to providing access to quality healthcare, and in 2020, supported over 850,000 indigent patients with welfare and zakat worth PKR 300 crore. Shavez received free-of-cost care at AKUH, making it possible for him to get world-class quality care at no additional financial burden to his family.

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/

December 7, 2021

Health Screening Camp by Alkhidmat Sindh

Karachi, December 07, 2021 (PPI-OT):Alkhidmat Foundation Pakistan Chapter Sindh organised one day health screening camp for their registered Orphans in which doctors performed general health screening of the children and provide them free medicine.

December 7, 2021December 8, 2021

Little Warriors of Indus Kay Sitaray celebrate the First Annual Sports Day

Karachi, December 07, 2021 (PPI-OT):Indus Kay Sitaray – Indus Hospital and Health Network’s (IHHN) hospital-based school – was established for pediatric patients. The school held its first annual sports day on Tuesday, December 7, 2021. It was a monumental event that celebrated the little warriors who had spent a significant duration of their childhood battling cancer and other deadly diseases.

The day took place on a gloriously sunny morning, yet the brightest thing in the event were the children’s faces that showed happiness and enthusiasm. The children running around, under adult supervision, participated in several activities, including races and puzzles. No child was left out, and there was an activity designed for everyone. The children enjoyed the spirit of competition and cheered each other on as the audience applauded their efforts.

Former Pakistani Cricketer Muhammad Shoaib, and Nudrat Imam, Principal of Shahwilayat Public School were the guests of honour. Amongst those in attendance were Dr. Abdul Bari Khan, Chief Executive Officer, IHHN, Dr. Muhammad Fareeduddin, Senior Consultant and Chair, Pediatric Services, IHHN. Faculty members from several departments also stopped by to show their support and became a part of the festivities.

The event concluded with a prize distribution where each child was presented with a toy and trophy. Dr. Bari Khan gave a speech where he congratulated the organizers for their tremendous efforts and praised the children for making this event a memorable day for everyone involved. Nudrat Imam thanked IHHN for inviting her to be part of this historic event. “I am proud of these children and would like to offer my sincerest thanks to the audience, Dr. Abdul Bari Khan, and Indus Hospital and Health Network for organizing such a wonderful event.”

Dr. Fareeduddin Ahmed said, “I am pleased to see that the children’s spirits were uplifted. The holistic approach we use to treat these children has ultimately led to this successful event. Their happiness and perseverance give us the strength and resolve to continue fighting for them. “Where there is a will, there is a way, and thanks to the Grace of Allah, we will continue to help these children,” he added. The event concluded with the media interviewing the little warriors, who have proven to be a beacon of hope and inspiration for all.