Indus Vitals

Doctors’ body calls for reforms, better pay and filling of vacant posts IV Report KARACHI: As the world marked International Nurses Day on Tuesday, the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) warned that Pakistan’s healthcare system was facing a critical crisis due to an acute shortage of nurses and paramedics, calling the situation the “single greatest hurdle” to quality healthcare in the country. In a statement issued on the occasion, the PMA said nurses and paramedics formed the true backbone of every medical facility, stressing that even the most advanced hospitals could not function effectively without trained staff providing round-the-clock care. Honouring this year’s global theme, “Our Nurses. Our Future. Empowered Nurses Save Lives,” the association expressed concern over Pakistan’s poor nursing density compared to regional countries. It said Pakistan currently had only 0.5 nurses per 1,000 people, far below countries such as the Maldives (5.0), Nepal (3.6), Sri Lanka (2.3) ...

Doctors say rising fuel costs are affecting medicines, treatment and household survival IV Report KARACHI: The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) on Saturday voiced concern over the country’s worsening economic pressures, warning that rising petroleum prices were increasing the cost of healthcare, medicines and essential food items, particularly for low-income families. In a statement issued by PMA Secretary General Dr Abdul Ghafoor Shoro, the association said recent fuel price hikes had triggered a wider inflationary trend affecting nearly every sector linked to public health and daily living. The PMA noted that higher transport and production costs had compelled pharmaceutical companies to increase medicine prices, making treatment increasingly difficult for vulnerable patients. It also pointed to mounting operational expenses faced by private healthcare providers, including electricity, transport and medical equipment costs, saying these pressures were contributing to higher...

PPEI expert says intensified vaccination needed as virus risks persist IV Report KARACHI: The Sindh Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) on Friday announced that it was set to launch a polio booster dose campaign in 89 high-risk union councils of Karachi from May 12 to 25, aiming to strengthen immunity among children and interrupt poliovirus transmission. Speaking at a media briefing at the Karachi Press Club, EOC Coordinator Sheheryar Memon said Karachi was moving closer to polio eradication, but misinformation and rumours continued to pose major challenges to the campaign. Children up to 10 years of age will receive the booster dose during the drive, which targets areas considered vulnerable to persistent virus circulation. Members of the Sindh Polio Eradication Programme, health experts, paediatricians and health reporters attended the briefing. To build public confidence, Mr Memon and several journalists received booster doses during the session. Mr Memon said vaccination ...

                                                                      IV File photo Pakistan Chest Society says cooperation with cigarette firms violates public health commitments, urges higher tobacco taxes IV Report KARACHI: Even as concerns grow within the medical fraternity over continuing government engagement with tobacco companies, another meeting between representatives of an international cigarette manufacturer and federal authorities took place in Islamabad. According to an official handout issued on Thursday, a delegation of Philip Morris International (PMI) called on Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan to discuss illicit cigarette trade, tobacco sector reforms, regulatory gaps and export potential. The delegation was led by PMI President CIS & Central Asia Marco Mariotti, who briefe...

Experts warn of silent circulation; drive planned in 89 of 246 UCs IV Report Bottom of Form KARACHI: Leading medical bodies and child health experts have endorsed a targeted polio booster dose campaign in Karachi, as fresh environmental surveillance has confirmed continued circulation of the virus in the city, the Sindh Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) said on Wednesday. At a consultation held at the Sindh Institute of Child Health and Neonatology, the Pakistan Pediatric Association (PPA), Pakistan Medical Association (PMA), and senior pediatricians backed the campaign scheduled from May 12 to 25 in 89 union councils. Karachi has a total of 246 union councils, and experts urged that the effort be expanded citywide to ensure broader protection. Sindh EOC Coordinator Sheheryar Memon said five recent environmental samples collected from Karachi had tested positive for poliovirus — a worrying sign, particularly during what is typically considered a low transmission season. He w...

Breakthrough linked to economic gains, disease resistance and modern livestock breeding By Mukhtar Alam KARACHI: Scientists at the University of Karachi have successfully completed the whole genome sequencing of Red Sindhi cattle, a milestone they say could significantly boost Pakistan’s livestock economy and strengthen disease control efforts. The researchers describe the breakthrough as a “transformational step” toward modernising the country’s livestock sector through genomic science, opening new avenues for precision breeding, enhanced productivity, and improved resistance to diseases. The work, led by the Dr A Q Khan Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (KIBGE) , also included genomic characterisation of the Lumpy Skin Disease virus, enabling deeper insights into host–pathogen interactions and infection control strategies. The project was carried out under the Sindh Higher Education Commission’s Post-Doctoral Fellowship Programme by Dr Roohi Kanwal, an a...