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Midwife shortage a pressing challenge for Pakistan

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High birth rates, a widening workforce gap and weak support systems underscore urgency on International Day of the Midwives KARACHI: As Pakistan joins the global community in marking the International Day of the Midwives on May 5, calls are growing to address a critical shortage of skilled birth attendants, with experts terming investment in midwifery as one of the most effective pathways to reducing maternal and newborn deaths. This year’s theme, set by the International Confederation of Midwives — “One million more midwives” — underscores a stark global reality. While nearly 1.7 million midwives are currently registered worldwide, an additional 980,000 are needed to meet essential maternal and newborn health demands. The potential gains are significant: scaling up midwifery care could help save an estimated 4.3 million lives annually by 2035. For Pakistan, the message carries particular urgency. According to global and national estimates, the country was home to over 60.5 mi...
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Doctors decry data blackout, seek HIV emergency in Sindh

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Experts link spread to unsafe injections, poor screening and weak healthcare regulation By Mukhtar Alam KARACHI: Alleging that successive governments have failed to make consolidated HIV data public, senior physicians and infectious disease experts on Saturday warned that Pakistan’s HIV situation was worsening, with rising infections among children and low-risk groups reflecting serious weaknesses in the healthcare system. They urged authorities to declare the growing number of paediatric HIV cases in Sindh a public health emergency and launch urgent corrective measures. Speaking at a press conference at the Karachi Press Club organised by the Pakistan Islamic Medical Association (PIMA), the experts said the informal information currently available suggested that “all is not well” with HIV prevention and control efforts across the country. They maintained that the spread of infection beyond traditionally high-risk groups pointed to systemic failures in infection prevention, regul...
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Sindh vows full vaccine coverage again

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Health minister joins World Immunisation Week celebrations; routine immunisation hits 80% IV Report KARACHI: The Sindh government reaffirmed its commitment to universal child immunisation as Provincial Minister for Health and Population Welfare Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho joined World Immunisation Week 2026 celebrations at SMB Fatima Jinnah Government Girls School on Tuesday. The provincial event, held during the global observance from April 24 to 30, was organised by the Sindh Health Department and the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) Sindh, in collaboration with UNICEF, the World Health Organisation, EOC Sindh, AMAN, and other core EPI partners. Provincial Minister for Health led the event, stressing that immunisation is “a fundamental right of every child” and “a shared responsibility to ensure that no child is left unprotected.” “Vaccines are our strongest shield against disability and death. Our mission is to ensure that every child in Sindh — whether living in the hi...
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JSMU launches wellness centre

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Signs campus mental health pledge on Wellness Day IV Report KARACHI: Jinnah Sindh Medical University (JSMU) marked the first International Wellness Day 2026 on April 27 by announcing the establishment of a Health and Wellness Centre and launching a university-wide Wellness Pledge aimed at addressing stress and burnout among students and faculty. The initiative was led by Dr M Iqbal Afridi in collaboration with the Internal Medicine Interest Group of Sindh Medical College-JSMU under the theme, “Integrating joy and sustainable health practices into daily life.” The United Nations had declared April 15 as International Wellness Day on March 10 this year. Introducing the resolution, Nepal’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Lok Bahadur Thapa, said the world was facing mounting health challenges and stressed the need for stronger, more resilient health systems. Speaking at the JSMU event, Dr Afridi said stress had become normalised in the fast-paced world of medicine, while burn...
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“Real intelligence lies in connecting with nature”: Shah

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Sindh education minister warns against overreliance on AI, stresses human consciousness and creativity at education summit in Karachi IV Report KARACHI: Sindh Education Minister Syed Sardar Ali Shah on Saturday cautioned against the unchecked influence of artificial intelligence (AI), urging educators and policymakers to anchor future learning in human consciousness, creativity, and a deep connection with nature. Addressing the closing session of the 6th National Education Summit 2026 at the IBA Karachi auditorium, the minister said that while AI is rapidly transforming modern life, its long-term implications demand careful consideration. “It feels as though artificial intelligence has launched an attack; now we must think about our defense,” he remarked, framing the technological shift as both an opportunity and a challenge for education systems. The summit, titled “Nurturing Future-Ready Learners: Leadership Dialogue on AI and Generation Alpha,” was organised by the Pakistan...
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WHO clears first malaria treatment for newborns

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Adds new diagnostic tests to tackle detection gaps IV Report KARACHI: Ahead of World Malaria Day, the World Health Organization (WHO) prequalified the first malaria treatment developed specifically for newborns and young infants, and approved three new diagnostic tests to address emerging detection challenges. The newly approved formulation of artemether-lumefantrine is designed for babies weighing between two and five kilograms — a group long treated with medicines intended for older children, increasing the risk of dosing errors and side effects. WHO prequalification confirms the drug meets global standards of quality, safety and efficacy, enabling wider public-sector procurement and improving access for vulnerable infants. The move is expected to help close a longstanding treatment gap affecting millions of babies born annually in malaria-endemic regions, particularly in Africa, WHO said in a statement.                    ...
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PMA presses for decisive action to end malaria burden

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Association urges real-time surveillance systems and expanded preventive measures amid persistent malaria cases nationwide IV Report KARACHI: Marking World Malaria Day 2026, the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) has called for urgent, decisive action to eliminate malaria, warning that the disease continues to impose a heavy burden despite the availability of new tools and treatments. In a statement issued on April 25 aligned with this year’s global theme, “Driven to End Malaria: Now We Can. Now We Must,” PMA Secretary General Dr Abdul Ghafoor Shoro said that while scientific advances such as vaccines and next-generation mosquito nets have created unprecedented opportunities, their impact hinges on political will and timely implementation. The association also stressed the need to strengthen surveillance, urging authorities to implement a robust, data-driven reporting system to monitor and contain outbreaks in real time, alongside ensuring the availability of vaccines, diagnost...
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