Indus Vitals

IV Report KARACHI: The Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT) has trained another batch of 190 student volunteers in community service activities, bringing the total number of trainees to 7,190 since 2006. The students belonging to various schools are in the process of their matriculation and intermediate or O/A-level education, took a 30-hour training course at SIUT. The SIUT programme's course was designed to help participants become conscientious members of society when they enter practical life. The purpose was to train them to have compassion for the less fortunate members of society when they enter practical life, said a communication of the institute. The students were handed certificate at a ceremony held at the institute in the presence of senior physicians associated with SIUT, parents of the volunteers and representatives of city’s educational institutions. SIUT Director Prof Dr Adib Rizvi in his brief remarks said that it was very encouraging ...

IV Report KARACHI: Experts discussing genetic disorders in humans at an international meeting, organised at Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS), Karachi, highlighted the importance of increased awareness and tackling know-how in Pakistan, particularly in view of the high rate of consanguineous marriages, also known as cousin marriages, which increases the risk of genetic diseases. The senior physicians noted the dearth of genetic specialists, emphasising the need for extensive inclusion of genetic clinics, genetic counseling, and genetic testing in the local healthcare system and medical education degree programmes. The DUHS meeting, titled 'Genetics today and tomorrow', was held in collaboration with the Association of Physicians of Pakistani Descent of North America (Appna) and featured faculty from genetics and pathology from Pakistan and the US. Genetic disorders DUHS Vice Chancellor Prof Dr M Saeed Quraishy stressed the need for understanding the consequence...

IV Report  KARACHI: A major health facility project, aimed at providing services to people from suburban and underserved communities of Karachi, Thatta, and Sujawal, was launched in Malir district on December 25. The project, undertaken through private hands, was inaugurated in the presence of philanthropists, including Pakistani descent physicians in America, provincial ministers, and senior local physicians. During the ceremony, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah performed the groundbreaking of the 312-bed Hassan Suleman Memorial Hospital (HSMH). The hospital, covering 2.5 acres of land provided free of cost by the Sindh government in Ibrahim Hyderi taluka, is expected to provide quality healthcare services to the local community. CM Shah described the proposed HSMH as "a beacon of hope" and pledged a one-to-one matching grant from the Sindh government for all donations received. In addition to allocating land for the hospital, he stated that the government will s...

IV Report KARACHI: Speakers at a seminar titled "Women in Leadership: Summit for Excellence" emphasised the importance of valuing women's insights in the decision-making process to achieve meaningful social and economic development in the country. The event, organised by the University of Karachi's Dr A Q Khan Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering in collaboration with the Organisation for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD) Pakistan Chapter and the Pakistan Academy of Sciences, featured dignitaries including KU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Khalid Mahmood Iraqi and MNA Syeda Shehla Raza. Prof Dr Iraqi noted that women's representation in decision-making institutions is less than 10 percent, and stressed the need for providing opportunities without gender discrimination. "Our society hardly values advice given by women and does not bother to follow them," he added. Dr Iraqi further emphasised that in any society, political, social...

IV Report KARACHI: Teachers at the University of Karachi (KU) staged a whole-day protest demonstration on the varsity premises on December 19, voicing their concerns against the reported financial crisis of the university and administrative indifference towards their colleagues. The protest, observed as a "Black Day," was called to demand the withdrawal of a termination letter issued to Dr Munawwar Rasheed, an assistant professor at the Centre of Excellence in Marine Biology (CEMB), KU. The teachers alleged that the termination was made with a retrospective effect, without giving any prior information to Dr Rasheed. A senior teacher, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that the KU administration had taken an "uncalled-for" action against Dr Rasheed, who was employed under the Higher Education Commission (HEC) introduced Tenure Track System (TTS). The teacher claimed that only the federal government had the authority to withdraw the TTS, and that the adminis...

IV Report KARACHI: The Association of Physicians of Pakistani-Descent of North America (Appna) is set to establish two advanced medical facilities at Jinnah Sindh Medical University (JSMU) and Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS) in Karachi, thanks to a substantial donation of US$300,000 (Pak Rs 81 million) it arranged. The donation will be used to establish a genetic molecular laboratory at JSMU and a department of artificial intelligence and emerging technology at DUHS. Appna leaders, including President Dr Asif Mohiuddin and Secretary Dr Rizwan Naeem, shared details of the donation at a press conference on December 18. The Appna Board has approved $200,000 for the development of an advanced technology institute at DUHS. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed, and a plaque was unveiled at DUHS to mark the occasion. According to DUHS, the university and Appna have begun coordinating to establish the Dow-Appna Centre for Emerging Technologies (DACET). This initiati...

By Mukhtar Alam KARACHI: A staggering 70% of people surveyed in Tharparkar, Sindh, believe that mental illness is contagious, according to a research study conducted by the Sindh Mental Health Authority (SMHA). The study, which aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) of mental health among Tharparkar residents, revealed alarming misconceptions and a lack of awareness about mental health issues. The research team, led by Dr Abduk Razzaque Nohri of the Sindh Health Department, presented their findings at a ceremony held at the PMA House in Karachi on December 11. The study involved 5,378 respondents from all seven talukas of Tharparkar and was conducted over a period of three months. Dr Mahesh Kumar Malani, a member of the National Assembly and chairman of the National Health Services Regulation and Coordination committee, Islamabad, presided over the event, with Vice Chancellor of Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS) Prof Dr Mohammad Saeed Qureshy as chief g...

IV Report KARACHI: A two-day meeting of experts on indigenous livestock development and economic challenges for farmers has identified areas for improvement, highlighting the need for adopting modern technologies for livestock breeding and sustainability. The "Livestock Breeders Forum (LBF)" was jointly organised by Sindh Agriculture University (SAU), Tandojam, and the Sindh Higher Education Commission (SHEC) on December 7-8 at Karachi. The forum featured national and international experts, senior government dignitaries and officials, and leading farmers. Key recommendations from the LBF include adopting advanced genetic technologies and artificial reproduction programmes to enhance local breeds, improve disease resistance, and increase productivity. Experts also suggested minimising inbreeding, expanding breeding services to goats, donkeys, and horses, and measures to prevent the premature slaughter of buffalo calves. The experts jointly concluded with suggestions for pr...

IV Report KARACHI: Sindh Health Minister Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho inaugurated a newly readied emergency facility at the Indus Hospital and Health Network (IHHN) in Korangi on December 3. The facility is part of a larger, under-construction hospital building that will eventually have 1,350 beds and provide free treatment to millions of patients annually. An IHHN personnel described the new emergency department as a "significant first step" towards realising the dream of a world-class hospital. The emergency setting is equipped with cutting-edge technology and state-of-the-art infrastructure designed to cater to diverse patient needs. Key features of the facility include dedicated resuscitation bays for critical emergencies, separate halls for adult and pediatric patients, and fast-track clinics for managing non-critical cases efficiently. IHHN Board of Directors Chairman Abdul Karim Paracha, accompanied by IHHN President Dr Abdul Bari Khan and other senior executives, rec...

IV Report KARACHI: The capital of Sindh, Pakistan, is hosting the Saarc ENT Congress from December 6 to 8 at a local hotel, featuring subject experts from the Saarc region and beyond. The theme of the congress is "Harmonising ORL (Otolaryngology), Head and Neck Expertise Amongst Saarc Countries." The three-day event will witness scientific programmes aimed at providing a platform to exchange latest ideas on the most topical trends in ENT management. Karachi hosted the 8th Saarc ENT congress series in 2013. Prof Iqbal A Muhammad Khyani, chairman of the 13th congress organising committee, anticipates a vibrant gathering of professionals from the Saarc region and outside. The mega event will comprise pre and post-conference workshops, plenary sessions, invited talks, state-of-the-art lectures, instructional sessions, panel discussions, free papers, digital poster competition, pharmaceutical exhibition, award of CME hours, and social programme. Prof Khyani, also the vice pres...