The National Medical Newspaper

Pakistan’s First
Independent
Medical Periodical from
Karachi
Vol. 52 No. 16 February 1-14, 2020
Published Fortnightly Reg. No. ID. MC-153 ISSN 1728-1520 Controlled Circulation

Inside Government should

install thermal ... 06
Coronvirus Outbreak:
Pakistani citizens’ ... 10
UAE Exhibition
shines spotlight on ... 11
Surprise visit
by President ... 12

Coronavirus:
WHO declared a
Global Health
Emergency
T
he UN health agency less able to cope and praising the
recently declared an Chinese government for taking
international emergency swift action to tackle the outbreak. international experts, said in a possible reference to lockdowns
over the deadly novel coronavirus "We must all act together now to statement that evidence had within China that have affected
from China - a rarely used limit further spread.... We can only shown that restricting movement millions of people.
designation that could lead to stop it together," said Tedros, who of people and goods during public WHO stopped short of declaring
improved international co- travelled to China this week and health emergencies "may be an emergency last week because
ordination in tackling the disease. met with President Xi Jinping. ineffective and may divert its emergency committee was
"Our greatest concern is the Tedros also said there was "no resources from other divided over the issue.
potential for the virus to spread to reason" for any of the international interventions". More than 8,200 people have been
countries with weaker health travel or trade restrictions "Further, restrictions may interrupt infected with the virus - almost all
systems," World Health announced in recent days, such needed aid and technical support, of them in China - and 171 have
Organization (WHO) chief Tedros as flight suspensions, border may disrupt businesses, and may died.
Adhanom Ghebreyesus said as closures and quarantine for have negative effects on the The WHO said there have also
he declared a "public health apparently healthy travellers. economies of countries affected been 82 confirmed cases in 18
emergency of international Top airlines including Air France, by the emergencies," the other countries, including cases of
concern". British Airways and Lufthansa have committee said. onward transmission in Germany,
"This is not a vote of no confidence suspended or cut back services to But it added that "in certain specific Japan, the United States and
in China," he said, emphasising China. circumstances, measures that Vietnam.
repeatedly that the measure was The WHO's Emergency restrict the movement of people The WHO has called a public
intended to help other countries Committee, an advisory body of may prove temporarily useful" - a Continued on Page 08

Gunmen killed two Four Pakistanis infected with

lady polio workers coronavirus in China: Dr Zafar
Founder: Ayaz Mahmood
MN Report
Publisher: M Hassan Mahmood MN Report
SWABI - Two lady
Chief Executive: Syed Hashim Hasan ISLAMABAD - Special Assistant
/MedicalNewsPk health workers were
Online Editor: Haseeb Uddin recently killed when to the Prime Minister (SAPM)
/MedicalNewsPk on Health Dr Zafar Mirza
Assistant Editor: motorcyclists
Dr Muattar Hanif attacked them in recently confirmed that four
Honorary Advisor: Razaar tehsil soon Pakistanis have been infected
Dr Sulman Akhtur
after commencement of a with novel coronavirus (NCV) in
Manager Production China, while speaking at a Press Conference. Dr
& Coordination: M Irfan Ali three-day immunisation drive in Swabi
medicalnewspk.com Zafar Mirza also requested the media not to reveal
Advertising Manager district. The health workerswere not
Tel: 021-35833172 SM Shakil (0300-2559344) accompanied by any law enforcement their names.
021-35872289
Business Executives personnel, as per reports. While addressing the Press, Dr Mirza said he
Khawaja Akhlaq Ahmed
Police officials and District Health Officer, wanted to assure the families of the four NCV-
(0342-2393917)
Haroon Rashid Dr Mohammad Tariq said the two affected Pakistanis that they were getting the best
(Islamabad: 0300-9710774)
vaccinators came under attack in the Continued on Page 08
Designing & Layout
Sh M Sadiq Ali Continued on Page 08
 ‘Ablution is most
effective against
coronavirus'
MN Report
LAHORE - A training workshop
was recently organized at
University of Health Sciences,
Lahore. The event was
attended by veteran virologist
Prof Waheed-uz-Zaman Tariq,
Head of Infectious Diseases'
department, Chughtai Institute
of Pathology, UHS Vice
Chancellor, Prof Javed Akram,
Director General Health
Services Punjab, Dr Haroon
Jahangi. Dr Sidra Saleem,
Head of UHS Microbiology
department and Dr Fatima
Mukthar, Professor of
Community Medicine, Lahore
Medical and Dental College
also spoke on the occasion.
Microbiologists, pathologist,
rescue workers and health
personnel from civil aviation
attended the training workshop.
While addressing the audience,
Health experts were of the view
that outbreak of a new strain
of coronavirus in China should
be a cause of caution but not
for alarm.
"The story of the coronavirus,
first reported in China last
month, now seems to be
reaching the point where public
concern tips into worry and
even fear," said Prof Waheeduz
Zaman. He added that
sounding the alarm
unnecessarily had dangers of
its own.
"People may fail to pay heed
next time, or may overreact this
time. Equally, muting
discussions can backfire,
especially in a world where
information can be shared so
quickly. It is essential that
authorities at all levels are open
CONDOLENCE
The Publisher, Editor and the staff
of Medical News Pakistan express
their heartfelt condolences on sad
demise of Mr Ahmed Ashraf,
Director Sales at Abbott
Laboratories (Pakistan) Limited
and pray that God give his soul an
eternal peace and enough courage to the family
members to bear this irreplaceable loss, Ameen!
02 MEDICAL NEWS / February 1-14, 2020
about this outbreak, as well as
assiduous in tackling it,"
Waheed suggested.
Prof Waheed further said, "New
outbreaks are worrying, but
give us opportunities to improve
our preparation for the next
threat, be that through
research, or an understanding
that communication is as
essential to disease control as
hand-washing and vaccines."
Zaman, however, cautioned
that as too little information was
available to draw firm
conclusions about this virus,
its dangers, therefore, should
not be discounted.
"Its cost has already been felt
by the young, the elderly and
those with existing medical
issues, and there is concern
that it could mutate into
something worse," Prof
Waheed said, adding that the
virus, likely to spread through
coughing and sneezing, had
now sickened more than 6,000
people and killed 135 in China.
UHS Vice Chancellor said the
new strain of coronavirus, a
family of pathogens that
caused respiratory illness in
birds and mammals, has
jumped species and infected
humans. As the pneumonia-
causing virus has triggered a
health scare in China, it would
be sensible to be concerned.
Prof Javed Akram said the UHS
would extend full support to the
government in optimizing PCR
test facilities for diagnosis of
coronavirus. Akram said a six-
member committee comprising
varsity's faculty had been
constituted. Dr Shah Jahan
was the convenor of the
committee, Prof Javed told.
The Prof Akram said ablution
was the most effective
preventive measure against
coronavirus. He said the
Islamic concept of Hilal and the
traditional way of cooking food
minimised the risk of getting
infected with the virus.
Akram further said that as
compared to common masks
available in market, N95 masks
had proved more effective in
prevention.
Director General Health
Services Punjab said not a
single case of coronavirus had
been confirmed in the country.
He said the government was
in contact with the World Health
Organization which had not
declared coronavirus an
epidemic so far.
Dr Haroon informed the
audience that five airports of
the province had been linked
to nearby teaching hospitals to
avert the threat of transfer of
virus through passengers
coming from abroad. He also
lauded the efforts of the UHS
for creating awareness on the
issue.
PMA demands
virology lab to
counter Congo,
Corona threat
MN Report
KARACHI - The Secretary-General,
Pakistan Medical Association (PMA)
(Centre), Dr S M Qaisar Sajjad, held
a recent meeting where he reiterated
that the Sindh province urgently
needed a state-of-the-art Virology
Laboratory. The laboratory would be
able to cater various types of viral
diseases like the bird flu, Crimean-
Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF),
Chikungunya, Coronavirus, Zika virus,
Influenza, Ebola hemorrhagic fever
(EHF), dengue fever, and others.
While addressing to the Press, Dr
Qaiser Sajjad said that virology
laboratory, if set up in Sindh, would
provide a full range of diagnostic
services for the detection and
monitoring of viral illnesses. This would
be beneficial especially in both the
adult and pediatric populations of the
province and also will help cope up
with future challenges.
Different types of viral diseases are
increasing day by day in the world
including Pakistan; therefore, there
was an urgent need to establish a
virology laboratory equipped with state-
of-the-art facilities to avert viral
diseases of unknown origins, Qaiser
said.
Sajjad informed that at least six people
died due to mysterious flu-like virus
Coronavirus, and dozens of others
have been affected so far. He feared
that this flu-like virus could spread in
Pakistan as well if preventive measures
were not adopted in the country.
Pakistani students, traders, and other
citizens travelled to China regularly,
while Chinese people also visited our
country frequently.
Dr Qaisar stated that Karachi was the
national economic hub and a melting
pot of various peoples and cultures.
Owing to increased traveling to and
from the city, there was now an
increased risk of viral disease
prevalence in the megacity.
Dr S M Qaiser further added that
virology labs should be established in
all provincial capitals where kits should
be made available for the detection of
viral diseases. The virology labs would
Continued on Page 11
Experts highlight the need
for rare disease policy
MN Report
KARACHI - The Department
of Gastroenterology &
Hepatology at The Children's
Hospital (Lahore), a Center of
Excellence (COE) for the
treatment of Lysosomal Storage
Disorders (LSD), recently
collaborated with Sanofi
Pakistan to organize an event.
The program was participated
by renowned international
experts to address the rising
incidence of LSDs in Pakistan
and the way forward.
Addressing the press
conference, Prof Huma Arshad
Cheema, Head, Department of
Gastroenterology &
Hepatology, The Children's
Hospital, said, "LSDs are a
group of rare inherited
metabolic disorders. Children
born of marriages within the
family are at risk of these
genetic diseases. According to
the registry of the Children's
Hospital (Lahore), around 300
LSD patients have been
diagnosed in the short span of
6 years, but due to their critical
condition, almost a third of
these patients lost their lives."
Prof Huma further said
"Eighteen patients are currently
on the charitable program of
SBTA seals
25 illegal
blood banks,
labs in 2019
MN Report
KARACHI - In a recent press
release, the Sindh Blood
Transfusion Authority (SBTA) n
notified to have sealed 25 blood banks
and laboratories across the Sindh province
in 2019. This takes the total toll of closed
outlets to 191.
The notification released by SBTA stated that
the Sanofi Genzyme, while
some others are being
supported by other international
charitable organizations.
Despite this, 32 children have
died in the last 12 months due
to a lack of treatment."
Director of Research,
Consultant Internal Medicine,
Emeritus Professor of
Medicine, University of
Cambridge, UK, Prof Timothy
M Cox, Chief Executive Officer,
International Gaucher Alliance
(IGA), UK, Tanya Collin-Histed,
President, Lysosomal Storage
Disorders (LSD) Society,
Pakistan, Atif Qureshi, and
Director, External Affairs,
Sanofi-Aventis Pakistan
Limited, Laila Khan, also spoke
on occasion.
The panel lauded the ongoing
efforts of the Sanofi Genzyme
and the Punjab government to
provide relief to the children
suffering from LSDs but
emphasized the need to
address the primary issue of a
lack of mechanism, policy, or
dedicated budget to fund
therapy.
At present, the Punjab
government has been funding
the treatment of 23 patients;
two patients are being funded
registration of blood banks so far,
out of which 259 applications were received
by Sindh, three by the armed
forces, and four by private
philanthropists.
Dr Huma Cheema appreciated
the Punjab government for
supporting the treatment of 23
patients on an ad-hoc basis
while urging the government to
consider the development of a
policy with a dedicated budget.
For over 15 years, the Sanofi
Genzyme has been providing
free of cost treatment to 18 LSD
patients in Pakistan under its
"Charitable Access Program"
amounting to over PKR 300
million every year. Since 2013,
the Sanofi Genzyme has also
been providing free-of-cost
diagnostic support.
Tanya Collin-Histed, CEO of
the International Gaucher
Alliance, based in the UK, said,
"The majority of LSD patients
diagnosed in Pakistan are of
Gaucher Disease. The pathway
to progress for patients and
their families is through
collaborative working by all
stakeholders with the eventual
aim of building an inclusive,
sustainable health ecosystem."
The press conference
concluded with a plea from the
experts for a rare disease
policy, similar to Egypt.
the majority of illegal blood
banks and laboratories
were closed in the
Larkana District following
the outbreak of HIV in
Ratodero last year.
SBTA received a total of
396 applications from all
over the province for
MEDICAL NEWS / February 1-14, 2020 03
‘1 in 8 Pakistani
women have
breast cancer’
MN Report
KARACHI - The Directorate of Health
Karachi recently organized a breast
cancer awareness program in
collaboration with the Kash Welfare
Trust at the Director Health's Office in
Karachi. The event was attended by
District health officers (DHOs) and
focal persons from six districts of the
Karachi division attended the
awareness session.
Experts briefed the participants about
the early detection of breast cancer
cases and the management of such
patients. They said that if the cancer
was detected at an early stage, the
chances of survival would be up to
90%.
Experts said that 1 in 8 Pakistani
women have breast cancer.
Additionally, Pakistan has the highest
rate of breast cancer in Asia. Many
women in rural areas were increasingly
developing breast cancers every year
because it was an inherited disease,
which was transmitted from mother to
daughter, experts told.
They also stressed the need for
establishing screening centers all over
the country to diagnose various types
of cancer. Every year many women
fell victim to breast cancer.
Later in the second phase, the DHOs,
as well as the focal persons from the
six districts of Karachi, would hold
breast cancer sessions in their
respective districts to educate doctors
about its early detection and timely
management.
from private blood banks, 92 from Non-
Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and 45
from the government sector, report stated.
As per report, One hundred fifty-seven
registered blood banks were operating
throughout the province, out of which 72 are
being run by the private sector, 19 by NGOs,
and 39 working under government-run health
facilities.
However, new blood banks have not been
registered since 2016, and permission has
only been granted to 46 blood banks
temporarily in the last three years. Two
applications were still under process.
Currently, Four Regional Blood Transfusion
Centres (RBTC) of Karachi, Nawabshah,
Sukkur, and Jamshoro have been operating
under the public-private partnership in Sindh.
New Chest Pain Unit
setup at Jacobabad
MN Report
KARACHI - The National Institute of
Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD), in
collaboration with the Government of Sindh,
recently inaugurated its 15th Chest Pain
Unit (CPU) in Jacobabad at the Jacobabad
Institute of Medical Sciences (JIMS). The
new Unit is expected to facilitate patients
with chest pain with easy access and free
of cost services. Advisor Prison & IPC
(Inter-Provincial Coordination) to Chief
Minister Sindh, Mir Aijaz Hussain Khan
Jakhrani, and Executive Director, NICVD,
Prof Nadeem Qamar, formally inaugurated
the Chest Pain Unit.
While addressing the audience, Mir Aijaz
Hussain Jakhrani noted that the Sindh
Government was serving the people of
Sindh, and this facility was the proof of it.
He congratulated the NICVD's
administration and Prof Nadeem Qamar
for saving thousands of lives in Sindh by
establishing these Chest Pain Units and
Satellite Centers in different cities of the
province.
He further added "NICVD's CPU is a gift
from the Sindh Government to the people
of Jacobabad and its peripheries. After the
establishment of this cardiac facility, no
cardiac patient will have to go big cities
because the NICVD's state-of-the-art
cardiac facility is available at their doorstep
that too totally free of cost."
On occasion, Executive Director, NICVD,
Prof Nadeem Qamar, termed this Chest
Pain Unit as a gift to the people of
Jacobabad and its peripheries as it would
provide people suffering from any heart
condition with immediate help and save
their lives.
"Shortly, the number of Chest Pain Units
serving the people of Karachi and other
cities would reach 17. Heart attack
management facilities will now be closer
to people's homes. After stabilizing their
condition, patients would be transported
to the main NICVD where they would be
provided with further specialized treatment,"
Nadeem added.
Prof Nadeem highlighted that within the
span of the last two years, these CPUs
have saved more than 7,581 lives. Patients
visiting the CPUs were given immediate
first aid and were then dispatched to the
main NICVD, where they were given
specialized treatment. "This shows that
Sindh is much ahead as compared to other
provinces and the center in serving the
masses," Qamar noted.
"I would urge the media to disseminate
information about these CPUs. In these
Continued on Page 11
04 MEDICAL NEWS / February 1-14, 2020
Annual Sports week celebrated at KMDC
MN Report and physically healthy. Hence, proud."
KARACHI - Karachi Medical they should take some time Islahuddin Siddiqui
and Dental College (KMDC) out from their studies and congratulated the organizing
recently organized Annual participate in sports related team of the event and
Sports week with full zeal and activity, Siddiqui said. appreciate their efforts.
zest. The event was While addressing
inaugurated by the audience, Dr S.
Pakistan's Mahmood Haider
renowned hockey said "under the
play, Olympian umbrella of KMDC,
Islahuddin Siddiqui. many events are
The event was organized annually
chaired by KMDC to give platform to
Principal, Prof. Dr S. students. This gives
Mahmood Haider. an opportunity to
Along with faculty them to actively
members, students participate and
and their parents witnessed Olympian Islahuddin demonstrate their skills. The
the inaugural event. suggested that KMDC should aim of such events is to give
In his inaugural speech, Mr start a hockey team, which 'Future of Pakistan' a
Islahuddin noted that students could get trained at his platform."
should inculcate sports in their training institute. He said, "I Principal KMDC appreciated
daily life routine in order to expect that the hockey team the efforts of organizing team
stay active. The medical will produce better players headed by Sports Incharge,
students need to be mentally that can later make Pakistan Prof. Nasir Ali Khan.
Corona Isolation Ward
established at JPMC
MN Report
KARACHI - The Sindh Health Department
recently designated the Jinnah Postgraduate
Medical Centre (JPMC) as the focal point
following the recent surge in pneumonia cases,
associated with the coronavirus reported in
the Wuhan city of the Hubei province of China.
The officials from Sindh Health Department
directed the Executive Director, JPMC, Dr
Seemin Jamali to train its staff members,
earmark isolation rooms, and ensure the
availability of supportive medicines and
personal protective equipment in light of the facilitate further necessary action.
pneumonia outbreak due to the novel Executive Director, JPMC said that an eleven-
coronavirus. member committee had been constituted to
The Airport Health Officer, Jinnah International deal with suspected viral cases and a separate
Airport, Karachi, also shared relevant coronavirus ward has also been established
information about the efforts taken to combat along with an Isolation Ward at the JPMC.
the threat of the coronavirus with the Executive Seemin further said that the JPMC's
Director of the JPMC. The JPMC Karachi has administration approached the Secretary
been given the responsibility to manage any Health Sindh and the World Health
referred confirmed case of coronavirus. Organization (WHO) for the provision of
Earlier, the National Institute of Health (NIH) support medicines and personal protective
Islamabad, Field Epidemiology & Disease equipment.
Surveillance Division, also recently issued a Dr Jamali informed that the JPMC had received
health advisory about the deadly coronavirus. Tyvek suits, hand sanitizers, face shields, face
Dr Seemin Jamali has been instructed to share masks, surgical gloves, and goggles from the
the data regarding any suspected or confirmed WHO to deal with any suspected viral disease
cases with the Sindh Health Department to patients.
 Eight suspected cases of
coronavirus reported in Sindh
MN Report
KARACHI - Eight alleged
cases of the coronavirus have
been reported by the Aga
Khan University Hospital,
according to a statement
issued by the Sindh Health
Department.
The Aga Khan University
Hospital (AKUH) contacted the
Sindh Health Department in
regards to a cluster of
suspected
coronavirus cases.
The Director-
General of
Health Services
Sindh (DG
Sindh)
formulated a
team to investigate
the suspected,
reported cases.
The AKUH identified five of
these suspected cases
according to the case definition.
Three of these suspected
cases were identified from a
cluster of 27 suspected cases
that were admitted in the
AKUH, which were promptly
investigated by Dr Adnan Khan,
Fellow FELTP (Field
Epidemiology and Laboratory
Training Program).
Out of the suspected cases,
one case had no travel history
to China (contact with Chinese
nationality persons), seven had
travel history from China during
January 2020, and one had
travel history from China during
June 2019.
All suspected cases presented
with flu-like symptoms. Seven
were employed at the Karachi
Nuclear Power Plant
(KANUPP). One left against
medical advice (LAMA), and
four were discharged. Two
suspected cases were revoked
as subjects and were currently
under treatment.
The Sindh Health Department
document said, "Coordination
was developed with the AKUH
for timely sharing the relevant
data. A surveillance mechanism
was established, and sentinel
sites were also developed.
Communication was also
developed with health
authorities and other
stakeholders. Health Advisory
regarding coronavirus was
communicated to every
healthcare facility."
Preventive measures have also
been advised that include
staying at home until
symptoms have
resolved (at least
24 hours after the
fever has
defervesce /
subside of
fever), avoiding
close contact
with others
especially those at
high risk for severe
infection, avoiding close
contact, covering the mouth
and nose with tissue when
sneezing or coughing.
Additionally, the public was
advised to wash hands with
soap and water or disinfect with
an alcohol-based hand rub
regularly and wiping down
surfaces that are frequently
touched or shared (doorknobs,
remote controls) with a
standard household
disinfectant.
NATIONAL
2020
February 7-9
20th Annual PAUS Urology Conference
(UROCON) 2020 at Hyderabad.
February 14-16
5th AKU Annual Surgical Conference at AKU
Karachi.
March 26-28
26th Annual Meeting: Pakistan Association
of Plastic Surgeons (PAPSCON 2020) at
Lahore.
March 27-28
Internal Medicine Symposium 2020
Quality in education and healthcare at AKU
Auditorium, Karachi.
2020
JUNE OCTOBER
1 World Milk Day 8 World Sight Day
1 International Children Day 10 World Mental Health Day
5 World Environment Day 12 World Arthritis Day
14 World Blood Donor Day 12 World Bone And Joint Week
15 World Handwashing Day
19 World Sickle Cell Day
16 World Food Day
26 International Day Against Drug 17 World Spine Day
Abuse And Illicit Drug Trafficking 17 World Trauma Day
JULY
20 World Osteoporosis Day
24 World Polio Day
11 World Population Day 29 World Stroke Day
28 World Hepatitis Day
NOVEMBER
AUGUST 1 Lung Cancer Awareness
1-7 World Breastfeeding Week Month
9 World Quality Day
14 International Diabetes Day

‘Child malnutrition is
SEPTEMBER 17 World Chronic Obstructive
9 International Fetal Alcohol Pulmonary Disease Day
Syndrome Day 26 World Anti-Obesity Day
20 World Retina Week DECEMBER
21 World Alzheimer’s Day

endemic in Pakistan’
1 World Aids Day
25 World Pharmacist Day 3 International Day of Disabled
26 World Retina Day Persons
29 World Heart Day 5 World Patient Safety Day

MN Report
KARACHI - The Pakistan Medical Association
(PMA) Karachi, in collaboration with Nutrition
International, recently hosted the 31st PMA
Karachi City Marathon & Health Walk 2020
under the theme "Healthy Tradition - Good
Nutrition." Different schools, colleges, and
communities of the city participated in the event.
Athletes, youngsters, children, medical
professionals, civil society representatives, and
other health-conscious citizens also took part
in the event's proceedings. Sohail Muhammad
Ali Zarooni, Chairman, Al-Zarooni Foundation,
inaugurated the event while Hunaid Hussain
Lakhani, Head of Pakistan Bait-ul-Maal Sindh,
was the Guest of Honour of the event.
The PMA Karachi organized the event with the
objectives to create awareness regarding leading
a healthy lifestyle and promoting the best
practices to prevent disease. Strong messages
were delivered this year in regards to improving
nutrition. The role of safe food with diversification
was also highlighted at the event.
General-Secretary, PMA Karachi, Dr Abdul
Ghafoor Shoro, shared that according to the
recent National Nutrition Survey of 2018, child
malnutrition was endemic in Pakistan. Four out
of ten children under five years of age were
stunted, 17.7% suffer from wasting while the
double burden of malnutrition was also becoming
increasingly apparent.
It was also pointed out that the adolescent age
group was also affected by malnutrition, and
this was all due to bad eating habits and
unhealthy lifestyle choices, Ghafoor Shoro
added.
The event highlighted the critical role of the
community, particularly parents, in addressing
the issue of malnutrition in the country and
making our society healthy and prosperous.
Two polio workers
killed in road mishap
MN Report
KHUZDAR - Two polio workers were
killed in an accident in Mastung recently.
Levies officials said that polio worker, Haji
Nizamuddin Qambrani was returning to
Mastung along with the lady worker in a
vehicle after administrating polio drops
to children in the Killi Khud-Kocha area.
Their vehicle was hit with a truck on the
Quetta-Karachi Highway.
The two workers suffered serious injuries
and were taken to Nawab Ghous Bakhsh
Raisani Memorial Hospital by Levies
personnel, but they died before receiving
any medical aid.
A case has been registered against the
truck driver and further investigation is
under way.

MEDICAL NEWS / February 1-14, 2020 05

 Government should install
thermal scanners to detect
Coronavirus: PMA
MN Report
KARACHI - The Pakistan
Medical Association (PMA)
recently expressed grave
concern over the outbreak of
the coronavirus in China,
particularly in
Wuhan (Hubei,
province).
A recent press
release by
PMA stated
that there was
a large number
of Pakistani
students and
businessmen,
along with
many Chinese
locals who
were coming to Pakistan every
day, so we were at a greater
risk of getting the coronavirus
through human contact.
The PMA strongly suggested
that the government installed
thermal scanners at our
international airports to scan
the passengers arriving from
high-risk countries, particularly
from China, Bangkok, and
Thailand. If anybody presented
with signs of fever, they should
be quarantined for 24 hours
for monitoring. If the virus hit
Pakistan, then it would be more
difficult to control it because
there was no treatment for it.
Prevention was the only way
to keep us safe from the
outbreak of this virus in
Pakistan, PMA stated.
PMA demanded to adapt all
the required preventive
measures, immediately.
Australia, Bangladesh, Nepal,
Singapore, and the United
States have set up enhanced
screening measures at their
airports for the prevention of
the coronavirus.
In this scenario, the PMA
reiterated its demand to
establish virology labs in at
least at all provincial capitals
so that viral diseases like swine
flu, dengue, bird flu,
chikungunya, zika virus, congo
virus, coronavirus, and others
could be diagnosed promptly.
It is also pertinent to mention
here that the death toll due to
the virus rose to six in China,
and the number of detected
cases has reached almost 300.
Earlier, health authorities in
China said that there was no
obvious evidence of person-
to-person transmission and
animals were suspected to be
the source of transmission of
the virus, but now fears of a
bigger outbreak rose after a
prominent expert from China's
National Health Commission
confirmed that the virus could
be transmitted
between
people.
The WHO has
warned that
more cases
both in China
and other
countries were
likely to present
in the near
future. People
of China were
preparing to
celebrate the Lunar New Year,
and they are very distressed
in this regard. The people were
also concerned about the
coronavirus because of its
genetic similarities to Severe
Acute Respiratory Syndrome
(SARS), which killed nearly
650 people across China and
Hong Kong back in 2002-2003.
The coronavirus is a serious
disease like Severe Acute
Respiratory Syndrome and
causes upper respiratory tract
infection. If the symptoms of
the infection are not treated
properly, it can lead to lower
respiratory tract infection,
laryngitis, bronchitis, lung
infection, and finally,
pneumonia, which could
become fatal for the patients.
Drive against
poliovirus type 2
kick started in KPK
MN Report
PESHAWAR - According to reports,
the government is launching a three-
day special vaccination campaign
recently to scale up
children's
immunity in
districts,
which
risked
vaccine-
derive
poliovirus
type 2
(VDPV2) after
detection of cases few days back.
Earlier, the VDPV2 was eradicated
worldwide, however, after emergence
of back to back cases in Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa, the government
requested the world health agency to
make supplies of the vaccines
available to be administered to the
children from where cases were
reported.
Pakistan has tested positive 18
children for PV2 virus, prompting the
authorities to request to the World
Health Organisation to carry out
immunisation against the virus. Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa has recorded 12 cases
of VDPV2.
"We are sure that this year will be
crucial in efforts to eradicate the
vaccine-preventable childhood
ailment," said Dr Rana Mohammad
Safdar, the coordination of National
Emergency Operations Centre for
Polio. He added that Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa recorded three cases in
the current year of the countrywide six
cases. In 2019, the province recorded
92 polio cases of the 140 nationwide
cases.

Mental Health: journalists,

and social workers.

Seminar to promote Prof Iqbal Afridi talked about the International

Day of Education in the relevance to the

emerging issue theme of the seminar. He stressed about

Sustainable Development Goal 4, in
particular, which aimed to "ensure inclusive
MN Report and equitable quality education and promote
KARACHI - The Pakistan Psychiatric Society lifelong learning opportunities for all" by 2030.
(PPS) recently organized a seminar at "Education and positive mental health are
Mirpurkhas on the occasion of International walks interlinked, and there is no health without
Day for Education to promote mental health. of life. mental health," he added.
The theme of the seminar was "Learning for The Dr Moti Ram Bhattia delivered a presentation
People, Planet, Peace, and Prosperity." The attendees on depression and anxiety as well as its early
event was attended by Prof Dr Muhammad did not only detection, management, and prevention.
Iqbal Afridi, President of Pakistan Psychiatric comprise of Dr Majid Ali Abidi discussed child
Society & Dean, Faculty of Psychiatry- College local mental abuse in his address. He emphasized
of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan. health the importance of educating children
Dr Moti Ram Bhattia, Dr Majid Ali Abidi, Director professionals, but about how to safeguard
of the Brain Clinic, Dr Jamil Junejo, Dr Lakesh also general themselves.
Khatri and Dr Ali Imran also spoke in the event. practitioners, spoke on the topic of drug
Dr Ali Bux, Dr Fariha, Dr Ayub, Dr Manisha, pediatricians, addiction among the youths and
Dr Muzamil, and Dr Amna actively participated gynecologists, its relevance to mental health.
in the event. The event was attended by obstetricians, Dr Lakesh Khatri moderated
approximately 80 professionals from different teachers, Continued on Page 11

06 MEDICAL NEWS / February 1-14, 2020


BEIJING - According to
local sources, the total
number of people affected
with the severe acute
respiratory syndrome
(SARS)-related
coronavirus rose to 218 in
Beijing and Shanghai. The
China confirms
Chinese people travel
across the country to visit
family.
Human-to-human Weighing in on the matter
for the first time, President
Xi Jinping said that
transmission behind safeguarding people's
lives should be given "top

first cases were diagnosed
earlier this week, while
more than a dozen more
emerged in southern
Guangdong province and
136 new ones were found
over the weekend in
Wuhan, as per reports by
CCTV (China Central
Television). The local
health commission also
confirmed the death of
third person in Wuhan.
A SARS like virus that has
spread across China and
reached three other Asian
nations was found to be
contagious between
humans, confirmed by
Government official. This
fuelled fears of a major
outbreak as millions travel
for the Lunar New Year
holiday.
The new coronavirus
strain, first discovered in
the central city of Wuhan,
has caused alarm
because of its connection
novel coronavirus
to SARS. Scientists have
scrambled to determine
the mode of transmission,
with a seafood market in
Wuhan believed to be the
center of the outbreak.
Fourteen medical
personnel helping with
coronavirus patients have
also been infected, though
more than 95 of the total
cases were related to
Wuhan.
The World Health
Organization said earlier
that an animal source
seemed to be "the most
likely primary source" with
"some limited human-to-
human transmission
occurring between close
contacts".
Wuhan has 11 million
inhabitants and serves as
a major transport hub,
including during the
annual Lunar New Year
holiday which begins later
this week and sees
hundreds of millions of
priority" and that the
spread of the epidemic
"should be resolutely
contained", according to
CCTV.
Xi said it was necessary
to "release information on
the epidemic in a timely
manner and deepen
international cooperation,"
and ensure people have
a "stable and peaceful
Spring Festival", the
broadcaster said.
Five cases were reported
in Beijing while South
Korea also reported its first
case, a woman who flew
in from Wuhan. Thailand
and Japan have previously
confirmed a total of three
cases, all of whom had
visited the Chinese city.
There are also six
suspected cases in
Shanghai and four
provinces and regions in
the east, south and
southwest of the country.

Al-driven
Algorithm sent the
First Warnings of
the Wuhan Virus
CANADA - The World Health
Organization recently notified the
public of a flu-like outbreak in
China: a cluster of pneumonia
cases had been reported in
Wuhan, possibly from vendors'
exposure to live animals at the
Huanan Seafood Market.
BlueDot uses an AI-driven
algorithm that scoured foreign-
language news reports, animal
and plant disease networks, and
official proclamations to give its
clients advance warning to avoid
danger zones like Wuhan.
Speed matters during an
outbreak, and tight-lipped Chinese
officials do not have a good track
record of sharing information
about diseases, air pollution, or
natural disasters. But public health
officials at WHO and the CDC
have to rely on these very same
health officials for their own
disease monitoring. So maybe an
AI can get there faster.
"We know that governments may
not be relied upon to provide
information in a timely fashion,"
says Kamran Khan, BlueDot's
founder and CEO. "We can pick
up news of possible outbreaks,
little murmurs or forums or blogs
of indications of some kind of
unusual events going on."
Khan says the algorithm doesn't
use social media postings because
that data is too messy. But he does
have access to global airline
ticketing data that can help predict
where and when infected residents
are headed next. It correctly
predicted that the virus would jump
from Wuhan to Bangkok, Seoul,
Taipei, and Tokyo in the days
following its initial appearance.
Khan, who was working as a
hospital infectious disease
specialist in Toronto during the
SARS epidemic of 2003, dreamt
of finding a better way to track
diseases. That virus started in
provincial China and spread to
Hong Kong and then to Toronto,
where it killed 44 people.
After testing out several predictive
programs, Khan launched BlueDot
in 2014 and raised $9.4 million in
venture capital funding. The
company now has physicians and
programmers who devise the
disease surveillance analytic
program, which uses natural-
language processing and machine
learning techniques to sift through
news reports in 65 languages,
along with airline data and reports
of animal disease outbreaks.
According to Khan, once the
automated data-sifting is complete,
human analysis takes over.
Epidemiologists check that the
conclusions make sense from a
scientific standpoint, and then a
report is sent to government,
business, and public health clients.
BlueDot's reports are then sent to
public health officials in a dozen
countries (including the US and
Canada), airlines, and frontline
hospitals where infected patients
might end up. BlueDot doesn't sell
their data to the general public,
but they are working on it, Khan
says.
Whether BlueDot proves as
successful this time remains to be
seen. But in the meantime, some
public health experts say that
despite covering up the SARS
outbreak for months in 2002,
Chinese officials have reacted
faster this time.
To stop the spread of disease,
public health officials will need to
tell the truth and tell it quickly. But
in the meantime, it might be worth
deputizing an AI-driven
epidemiologist. -Courtesy by
Wired

MEDICAL NEWS / February 1-14, 2020 07

Coronavirus: WHO ...
Continued from front page
health emergency of
international concern only
five times since the relevant
legislation took effect in
2007 - for swine flu, polio,
Zika and twice for Ebola
outbreaks in Africa.
The designation, which is
reviewed every three
months, allows the WHO to
issue global
recommendations that the
international community is
expected to follow.
Governments, companies
and people around the
world have already been
escalating efforts to contain
the illness, which is
believed to have emerged
from an animal market in
the central Chinese city of
Wuhan.
Many countries have urged
their citizens not to visit
China, while some have
banned entry for travellers
from Wuhan and Russia
said it was closing its far
eastern border with China
over the outbreak.
- Courtesy by Science
Alert
Gunmen killed two ...
Continued from front page
jurisdiction of Purmuli police
station. The assailants who
were riding a motorbike
escaped from the scene
after the ambush.
Officials in the health
department said the two
vaccinators were attacked
on the Mirali-Shewa road.
As a result of the assault,
Shakeela Naz died on the
spot while Ghuncha Begum
was injured seriously.
Begum was initially taken
to the Tehsil Headquarters
Hospital, Razaar, but was
later referred to the Lady
Reading Hospital,
Peshawar, where she
passed away.
Health officials said the
vaccinators hailed from the
08 MEDICAL NEWS / February 1-14, 2020
Boko and Purmuli villages.
A police officer said that
security had been provided
to the vaccinators in those
union councils that had
been declared the "most
sensitive" by district police.
Purmuli was not among the
"sensitive" union councils,
he added.
"Due to a shortage of staff,
they had not been provided
security," said an official in
the Purmuli police station.
Police have registered a
case against unidentified
assailants and started an
investigation.
Four Pakistanis infected ...
Continued from front page
possible treatment and
there were signs of
improvement in them.
"Pakistani ambassador and
staff in China are in touch
with the victims. Even if
media gets information
about the victims, I request
it not to disclose their
names," Mirza said.
The SAPM said there were
6,052 confirmed NCV
cases in 18 countries of the
world, with all 132 deaths
occurring in China. "As
many as 99 per cent of the
cases are reported from
China and there is no
confirmed case in
Pakistan," he added.
Dr Mirza said the Chinese
government had taken
extraordinary measures to
stop transmission of the
virus from Wuhan city.
"Even people are not being
allowed to move from one
city to another. If a Chinese
citizen wants to go out of
the country, he/she will be
kept under observation for
14 days and will be allowed
to leave if no symptoms
appear during two weeks.
China has been screening
the passengers to make the
world secure," he added.
The SAPM said the prime
minister, cabinet, health
ministry and relevant
stakeholders were working
in close coordination to
ensure optimal level of
preparedness and
response with regard to
coronavirus, adding that
being a responsible state,
Pakistan had been taking
steps to ensure that the
disease did not spread in
the country. "There are four
suspects in Pakistan, but
not a single case has been
confirmed," he added.
"In view of the rapid spread
of NCV, human-to-human
transmission and
considering that Pakistan
is China's neighbouring
country with potential risk
of cross-border
transmission of the virus,
the government of Pakistan
is taking necessary
measures in compliance
with the International Health
Regulations (IHR-2005) for
prevention and
preparedness for this public
health event at Points of
Entry (PoE). In this regard,
advisories, guidelines,
standard protocols were
issued by the Ministry of
Health.
"Emergency review
meeting is being convened
every 48 hours. A technical
consultation was held with
global experts on infectious
disease to seek guidance
on international best
practices to meet the
situation arising from
spread of NCV," he added.
According to Dr Mirza, 97pc
of those infected with the
virus recover. "It is a new
virus with symptoms similar
to that of seasonal flu.
Therefore, the disease can
only be confirmed through
a laboratory test," he said.
He said a core committee
of top health hierarchy had
been formed that met every
24 hours, whereas the NCV
Emergency Operation
Centre met every 48 hours.
Surprise visit by ...
Continued from page 12
the most. So, several
suggestions and opinions
came up under our
discussion. I would now
take them to prime minister
and we would look into
them to come up with
better solution," Alvi added.
Dr Alvi said the NICH and
two other major hospitals,
Jinnah Postgraduate
Medical Centre (JPMC)
and National Institute of
Cardiovascular Diseases
(NICVD), were going
through the transition
period. These hospitals
were going back to federal
control from the provincial
administration in line with
the Supreme Court's
orders. The federal
government needed to be
cautious that poor patients
should not suffer during
this transition, he added.
"We need more hospitals
because poor people rely
only on government
hospitals because they
can't afford treatment at
private facilities. Similarly,
in private sector we need
to make philanthropy more
active. We being Muslims
like to make philanthropic
contributions and here in
our country huge sums
[come] in this account. We
need to make it more
active and more disciplined
for larger interest of poor
people," highlighted Dr Arif
Alvi.
Dr Alvi also referred to the
recent fire incident in NICH
and called it "unfortunate".
He said he was personally
following the inquiry of the
deadly episode which killed
a newborn baby after the
blaze broke out in an
incubator of the health
facility. A four-member
inquiry committee set up
by the Sindh health
department saw poor
response from the staff
which also raised a
number of questions after
visiting the place of the
incident and meeting the
victim's family and related
staff.
"I personally watched
[CCTV camera's] tape
which showed that the fire
died out after few minutes
but it claimed a life, which
cannot be brought back.
So the officials have
briefed me that there were
some flaws in the design
of the incubators which led
to this situation. It's quite
unfortunate and I hope that
the measures would be
taken immediately so that
doesn't happen again,"
added President Dr Alvi.
Govt. launched ...
Continued from page 12
government or private
school or health facility.
It is also pertinent to mention
here that the World Health
Organization (WHO)
estimated that nearly 1 in
14 of the world's population
is infected globally with
intestinal worms, also
known as soil-transmitted
helminths. Over 835 million
children required treatment.
These infections resulted
from poor sanitation and
hygiene conditions and tend
to have the highest
prevalence in
schoolchildren.
A national survey conducted
in 2016 found that
approximately 17 million
schoolchildren across
Pakistan, including
approximately 4.6 million
children in Sindh, are in
need of regular deworming.
Zahid Ali Abbasi further said
the aim of the Sindh Health
Department was to help the
people of Pakistan to
maintain and improved their
health to make our
population among the
healthiest in the region.
"Since children account for
one-third of Pakistan's
population, we open-
heartedly welcome the
school-based deworming
program in Pakistan and
Sindh, as this will not only
improve the health of our
children, but it will
Hamid Karim, expressed
appreciation towards the
initiation of the deworming
program, which targeted
both enrolled and out-of-
school children, ensuring no
school-age child was left
behind. He stated that the
benefits of school-based
deworming had been
demonstrated through
significant evidence proving
that mass deworming
improved both the health
and academic performance
of school-age children.
A deworming week would
also commence, in selected
public health facilities across
Karachi to ensure wider
access. The school-based
deworming program was
coordinated and led by the
Ministry of Health, Sindh,
and implemented in
partnership with the
Secretary of the School of
Education and Literacy
Education Department, and
the Commissioner's Office.
MEDICAL NEWS / February 1-14, 2020 09
Coronvirus Outbreak:
Pakistani citizens'
health in China at stake
MN Report
KARACHI - The Pakistan
Medical Association (PMA)
recently expressed grave
concern about the Pakistanis in
China, particularly students
studying in Wuhan. More than
500 students are studying in
Wuhan. The families of these
students were experiencing
severe distress owing to the
coronavirus threat.
The PMA demanded the
government to take the
necessary steps to facilitate these
students in evacuating from
China so that their parents could
be relieved of their worries.
America, France, and Japan have
already taken steps to evacuate
their citizens from China.
The PMA had already issued a
list of preventive guidelines for
influenza and coronavirus. PMA
requested the people of Pakistan
to follow those guidelines. The
PMA also reiterated its demand
to the government to take strong
preventive measures to avoid the
spread of coronavirus in Pakistan.
"It is the need of the hour to
established modern virology labs
in at least at all provincial capitals,
so that viral diseases could be
diagnosed promptly," said PMA
Officials.
According to recent reports, the
coronavirus is spreading rapidly
in China. More than 3000 patients
have been diagnosed with the
virus, and more than 75 patients
have succumbed to the ailment,
according to the Chinese
government.
The coronavirus presents with the
same signs and symptoms as the
flu. However, if it is not diagnosed
and treated in due time,
complications may arise, such as
acute and fatal respiratory tract
obstruction.
The preventive guidelines for
influenza and coronavirus include
consuming a healthy and
balanced diet, taking 7 to 8 hours
of sleep, drinking plenty of water,
using tissue papers to clean your
nose, and ensuring a thorough
hand wash following contact with
respiratory secretions.
If you are suffering from cold or
flu, do not hug or shake hands
with others, and do not share your
paraphernalia like glasses, plates,
cups, towels, mobile phones,
pens, etc. Do not indulge in self-
medication. Antibiotics should not
be used in any viral disease.
People should seek treatment
from qualified doctors only.
Doctors should wash their hands
after examining each patient.
Birds, animals, and poultry
handlers should wear gloves and
masks before performing their
jobs.

Traffic snarls at
hospitals irk visitors
MN Report
KARACHI - According to sources, the illegal parking of
rescue ambulances outside the three major hospitals of
Karachi had been a source of grave concern for the visiting
patients as well as the medical staff. These hospitals
include Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, National
Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD), and National
Institute of Child Health (NICH).

Various private rescue organizations have established

ambulance counters outside the major health facilities of
the city with the support of the traffic police. Encroachments
have caused constant road blockages, especially during
rush hours. It was becoming increasingly difficult for
ambulance drivers to shift injured to patients to these
hospitals, as per sources.
Rickshaws and taxi drivers have set up their stands outside
the hospitals with the nexus of traffic police officials creating
a traffic hazard. Visitors and medical staff have been facing
problems owing to this nuisance. The constant traffic load
have made it difficult for ambulances carrying injured
people to enter the hospitals' premises. Some encroachers
have also established their stalls in front of the NICH's
main entrance gate, which has become a serious nuisance
for the visiting patients.
Rehan Ahmad, a patient, admitted to the JPMC's
emergency ward, told that he had to wait for half an hour
to enter the hospital because of traffic jams caused by
encroachments and illegal parking outside the hospital.
He demanded the Sindh government to resolve this issue
permanently to end the patients' miseries.
Executive Director, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre,
Dr Seemin Jamali, was unavailable to make any comments.

10 MEDICAL NEWS / February 1-14, 2020

DUBAI - The Greater Middle East unnecessary surgery which can
region's largest exhibition for
healthcare and trade
professionals, Arab Health is all
UAE Exhibition lead to greater chronic disability.
"Proper diagnosis and targeted
treatment are imperative, and
set to address the issue of lower
back pain and the burden placed
on the healthcare sector and the
shines spotlight when surgery is done for the right
reasons, it can be lifechanging,"
Dr Shamie concluded.

global economy. The event will be
held at the Dubai World Trade
Centre and Conrad Dubai Hotel.
Dr Nick Shamie, Professor of
Orthopaedic Surgery and
Neurosurgery, UCLA (University
of California, Los Angeles) School
of Medicine, Los Angeles,
California, will address delegates
during the Primary Care
Conference at Arab Health with
the presentation, Back problems:
An evidence-based approach to
low back pain in primary care:
fracture and osteoporosis
management.
Speaking ahead of the
conference, he said: "Lower back
pain is a huge area of concern
with 90% of people affected by
the condition at some point in their
life. Interestingly, once someone
goes to their doctor with lower
back pain, when approached a
year later, 60% said the symptoms
still persisted.
"Lower back pain, therefore, has
a huge burden on society with
both the initial healthcare costs
and then the indirect costs over
the lifetime of the individual, which
include the loss of wages and the
subsequent impact on the
economy."
According to research highlighted
by Dr Shamie, there was a
significant prevalence of back pain
in the UAE (United Arab Emirates)
with some 60% of residents
affected by the condition.
on back pain
According to the
National Institute of
Neurological
Disorders and
Stroke
(NINDS),
the
majority of
low back
pain
cases are
the result
of an injury,
such as
muscle sprains
or strains due to
sudden movements or
poor body mechanics while
lifting heavy objects.
In the UAE, Dr Shamie highlighted
possible causes as higher BMI,
lack of regular outdoor exercise
and in the older population,
osteoporosis - a condition which
is more prevalent in the UAE
compared to other parts of the
world due to people covering up
from the intense sun and therefore
experiencing a reduced vitamin D
level - as risk factors.
"Back pain can be looked upon
similarly to cardiac disease. If a
family has a history of cardiac-
related problems, they tend to
focus on eating more healthily and
exercising regularly. The same is
true of back pain - if
back pain is
prevalent, it is
important to
take greater
care when
looking
after your
back," Dr
Shamie
said.
"Body
mechanics
is critically
important as
increasingly we
find ourselves in a
seated position, particularly
behind computers. As this has
biomechanically shown to put
more pressure on the disks in our
spine when compared to standing,
it is important to get up every hour
to walk around and stretch,
otherwise people face the very
real prospect of disk disease or
degeneration," he added.
When discussing the biggest
advances in treatment for back
conditions in the last 20 years, Dr
Shamie cites a greater
understanding of the causes of
lower back pain and the
subsequent correct diagnosis
which avoids improper treatment
and, in some instances,
During the conference, Dr Nick
Shamie will be joined by Dr William
Murrell, Consultant, InfoHealth,
Dubai, and Dr Kirill Micallef-
Stafrace, Specialist in Sports and
Exercise Medicine and Vice
President European Federation of
Sports Medicine Associations, who
will present lectures on Joint
disorders: evaluation and
management of joint pain in
primary care and The role of
physical activity in the
management of osteoarthritis,
respectively.
Over 450 companies will be
showcasing products dedicated
to orthopaedics, physiotherapy
and rehabilitation at Arab Health
this year.
Ross Williams, Exhibition Director
of Arab Health, said: "The toll of
back pain on today's society is
incredible, particularly when you
consider that nine out of 10 people
will suffer from issues associated
with lower back pain at least once
during their lifetime. The Primary
Care conference and our
dedicated product sector, will
address these issues and outline
the best practices to alleviate the
burden on the healthcare sector
and the wider economy."
Organised by Informa Markets, an
anticipated 4,250+ exhibitors from
more than 64 countries and
55,000 visitors are expected to
attend the 2020 edition of Arab
Health. -PR

PRCS gears up for PMA demands virology ...

Continued from page 02
of viral diseases, promote
research to deal with such
center provided health
facilities to thousands of

Coronavirus response also help provide better

diagnostic and treatment of
MN Report viral disease patients. Such
KARACHI - Chairman, Pakistan Red Crescent Society laboratories did not only
(PRCS), Ibrar ul Haq recently held a press conference. help prepare us to tackle
Ibrar noted that several people have died, and thousands future challenges, but they
of others have been affected by the deadly coronavirus also guided young doctors
outbreak in China. The worst part about this was that no in conducting research
vaccine was currently available for the treatment of such about serious viral illnesses.
viral disease, Haq highlighted. At present, only the
Ibrar ul Haq while addressing the press stated that the National Institute of Health
federal government was in talks with the Chinese (NIH) Islamabad has
government to get hold of the chemical used to diagnose diagnostic facilities
coronavirus, as the chemical was unavailable in Pakistan. available at the
Chairman PRCS said that the PRCS had alerted all of governmental level. Some
its provincial branches to prepare themselves to deal with private sector hospitals also
coronavirus emergency in Pakistan. Quick response units have various detection
were being established in the provincial centres as well. facilities for viral diseases,
The PRCS was also in contact with the Red Crescent but poor patients are unable
Society of China, Ibrar added. to afford the expenses of
Ibrar ul Haq said that the training of volunteers would be
private health facilities,
conducted shortly. Additionally, awareness campaigns
Sajjad added.
were being organized that present guideline literature to
Secretary-General, PMA
deal with this deadly virus threat. Several Pakistani
demanded the provincial
students and others were trapped in China, and the
government was making all efforts to ensure their safe governments should
return to the country, he further added. establish advance virology
labs to prevent the spread
diseases, and prepare
quality vaccinations to cater
to viral diseases in the
future.
In response to a question,
Qaiser noted that as per his
knowledge, a 'virology lab'
was present in Karachi
University; however, it was
still not fully functional.
New Chest Pain Unit ...
Continued from page 04
last two years, cardiologists
and technicians working at
these CPUs placed at 12
different locations in
Karachi, one in Ghotki, and
one in Tando Bago, saved
thousands of lives of those
suffering from heart attacks
but were unable to reach
any tertiary-care hospital in
time due to traffic
congestion," Prof Nadeem
Qamar told.
The NICVD and its satellite
patients from the entire
Pakistan. Dr Qamar
thanked the Sindh
Government for providing
the NICVD with ample
resources to serve the
people of Sindh and entire
Pakistan free of charge.
Mental Health ...
Continued from page 06
the seminar and also spoke
about the role of de-
stigmatizing psychiatric
illness amongst the masses
as well as health
professionals.
Dr Ali Imran spoke on the
early screening of mental
illnesses with the help of
technology.
The Pakistan Psychiatric
Society promised to
organize more events of
this nature in different
districts of the country,
especially in remote areas.

MEDICAL NEWS / February 1-14, 2020 11

 Surprise visit by President, Corona Virus:
disappointed over NICH affairs
MN Report
KARACHI - President Dr Arif
Alvi recently paid a surprise
visit to the National Institute
of Child Health (NICH). He
expressed disappointment
over the state of healthcare
affairs in the province and
called his stroll around the
largest health facility for
children in the province "a
painful experience."
While addressing to press, Dr
Arif Alvi vowed to discuss the
expansion plan of the National
Institute of Child Health
(NICH) with Prime Minister
Imran Khan. New facilities
were badly needed while more
such should be set up in
Sindh, he said.
"I decided to pay surprise visit
for different reasons," Dr Alvi
said. "It gives you real picture
and allowed interaction with
those people who are actually
going through different
experiences at the hospital.
No one was aware about my
visit which helped me look into
the real state of affairs. The
PM Imran
director Dr Jamal Raza gave
me detailed briefing and
apprised me of several issues.
But the most painful
experience was to see five
children being treated [on] one
bed. This is very unfortunate."
President Pakistan said that
the NICH badly needed
expansion and for that matter
several proposals were
discussed with the hospital's
high-ups, who pointed out a
few options along these lines.
He referred to several open
pieces of land around the
NICH which were owned by
the Pakistan Army, Pakistan
Post and Pakistan
Telecommunication Authority
(PTA). On a small piece of
land, Dr Alvi believed, a huge
vertical structure could lead
to major relief for the people
of Karachi and the rest of
Sindh.
"After the fire incident in NICH,
I was actually suggested by
Prime Minister Imran Khan to
visit public sector hospitals
which poor people [frequent]
Continued on Page 08
swings into
action amid
viral infection
threat
MN Report
ISLAMABAD - According
to a notification issued by
Prime Minister Office,
Prime Minister Imran Khan
has directed that an inter-
ministerial meeting be held at
the earliest to discuss preventing
measures against deadly novel
coronavirus (NCV) and formulate a
comprehensive strategy to tackle the
threat.
As per notification, the meeting would be
chaired by Special Assistant to the Prime
Minister (SAPM) on Health, Dr Zafar
Mirza. The meeting will be attended by
the federal secretaries for foreign affairs,
national health services, interior and
aviation, provincial health secretaries,
chairman of the National Disaster
Management Authority, surgeon general
of the Pakistan Army, director general of
the Military Operations, director general
(counter-intelligence) of the Inter-Services

Govt. launched
Intelligence, director general of the
Provincial Disaster Management Authority,
director general of the Civil Aviation

campaign for Authority, director general of the National

Institute of Health, director general of the

Mass Deworming
MN Report
KARACHI - Secretary Health, Sindh, Zahid Ali
Abbasi, recently inaugurated the Sindh
Deworming Initiative's mass deworming
campaign in Karachi in a ceremony held at the
Karachi Press Club. The school-based
deworming program officially starts by the end
of January. Director, Schools Education Karachi,
Hamid Karim was also present in the occasion.
The Interactive Research and Development
(IRD) Pakistan, Evidence Action, and Indus
Health Network provided technical assistance
to the federal and provincial governments to
ensure high-quality program delivery.
Deworming drugs were donated through the
WHO's Drug Donation Program. The program
was funded by Dubai Cares, a part of the
Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Makhtoum Global
Initiatives, and donors following services of
Give Well.
As per reports, the school-based deworming
program aimed to treat over 500,000
schoolchildren in 2,600 selected government
and private schools, as well as in 145 health
facilities across the six districts of Karachi. All
children enrolled in classes 1 to 10 would be
encouraged to access treatment at a nearby
school or any health facility
displaying a banner on
deworming day, as well
as out-of-school children
aged 5-14 years. The
treatment would be provided
free of charge.
Addressing the launching ceremony as the
Chief Guest, Zahid Ali Abbasi remarked that
annual mass deworming was very important
for our children, as it would ensure improved
physical and cogitative growth, resistance to
other infections, and enhanced school
performance.
Moreover, mass deworming was in direct
support of and positively impacts Pakistan's
progression towards achieving the UN's
Sustainable Development Goals. Additionally,
it was one of the Pakistani government's top
health priorities, i.e., reducing the prevalence
of undernutrition and anemia, added Zahid Ali
Abbasi.
Deworming was a quick, easy, and safe
measure to better the health and future of our
children. The speakers urged parents and
guardians to send their children to the nearest
Continued on Page 08
Airport Security Force and director general
for China in foreign affairs ministry.
The document stated that outbreak of
Novel Corona Virus was being
experienced in China. Owing to the
presence of a large number of Chinese
in Pakistan and frequent travel between
China and Pakistan, spread of virus in
Pakistan could not be ruled out if
necessary precautionary measures were
not put in place, notification stated. It has
been directed that the outcome of the
meeting along with firm recommendations
should be furnished to the PM Office
within one week.
Earlier, Chinese Ambassador Yao Jing,
in a video statement, has said that
Chinese and Pakistani governments were
working closely and 500 Pakistani citizens
in Wuhan city of Hubei province were
safe and being looked after. Both the
governments were coordinating with each
other, Yao said.
"So far three suspicious cases in Chinese
community have been reported in
Pakistan, but none of them has been
confirmed. We have confidence and
determination that we will overcome this
difficult time and will return to normal life
very soon," Mr Yao added.

12 MEDICAL NEWS / February 1-14, 2020

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