Indus Vitals

Pakistan's premier medical body fears devastating consequences of neglecting public health, calls for immediate action IV Report KARACHI: The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) launched its annual report, "Health of the Nation," at a press conference on February 26. The report reiterates that the overall disease-prevention style and patient-care system have not been yielding positive results for long. If stronger, foolproof rectifying measures are not taken immediately, it may lead to devastating consequences and further embarrassing Pakistan's position among the comity of nations. The PMA 2025 report presents a stark picture of a system in dire need of reform. It emphasizes the need for immediate and decisive action from federal and provincial governments to address pressing health challenges. The report calls for stronger healthcare policies, improved access to medical resources, and a healthier, socio-economically excelling Pakistan for all. The PMA's c...

IV Report KARACHI: Hamdard University (HU) conferred 1,718 undergraduate and postgraduate degrees on graduates from various disciplines at its 27th Convocation on February 22. Chancellor Sadia Rashid presided over the ceremony, held at the Madinat al-Hikmah campus. The degree recipients included seven PhD and 130 MPhil, Masters of Science and Engineering scholars. About 40 students received gold medals for their distinguished achievements in various examinations. Prof Dr Syed Mohammad Mubin was awarded the best teacher award, while Hafiz Imran Nawaz received the best researcher award. HU Chancellor Sadia Rashid and former senator and federal minister Javed Jabbar, the convocation's chief guest, handed awards and certificates to the graduates. Chancellor Rashid urged the graduates to renew their commitment to serving the nation, as per the vision of HU founder Shaheed Hakim Mohammed Said. She pointed out to the outgoing students that they are entering a new phase of life that pr...

IV Report KARACHI: The Sindh government and the Oxford Pakistan Programme (OPP) have launched two graduate scholarships in honor of Benazir Bhutto and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, enabling six talented students from Sindh to study at the University of Oxford, UK, every year. The announcement was made during a visit to Oxford University by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Chairman of the Pakistan People's Party, and Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah. The OPP, led by Professor Adeel Malik and others, supports Pakistani students and academics through scholarships and other initiatives. Bilawal Zardari praised the OPP for creating opportunities for Pakistanis, especially those from underprivileged backgrounds. CM Shah noted that the scholarships will benefit not only the students but also Sindh as a whole, as they return with knowledge and expertise to uplift their communities. The scholarships were made possible with the support of Israr  Khan,  President of the Oxford Union. Other att...

IV Report KARACHI: A two-day international symposium on robotic surgery, hosted by the Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT), highlighted the potential of this technology to improve patient outcomes and stressed the need for its expanded adoption across Pakistan. The symposium, held on February 14 and 15, featured discussions, hands-on training, and collaborative efforts to advance surgical expertise. SIUT has been at the forefront of robotic surgery in Pakistan since 2017, with over 600 procedures performed using a shared Da Vinci robotic system at Civil Hospital Karachi, according to a SIUT press releases. “In 2021, SIUT established its own Kassim Parekh Robotic and Laparoscopy Unit, featuring the Versius robotic surgical system, which has performed over 2,000 successful surgeries in urological, hepatobiliary, and colorectal segments.” International and local speakers, including Professor Khurshid Guru from the US, Dr Nauman Zaffar from Lahore, and Professor Adeel K...

In the recent weeks, the peaceful and spirited government-run campuses for higher learning across the province have been in turmoil as students and teachers there are equally out to allay what they hold the gradually casting shadows of autocracy over the much emphasised hubs of academics and researchers. First, the campus souls are irritated due the fact that universities are not allowing restoration of the long lost student unions’ election, and consequential representation of student bodies in the statutory body of the universities and degree awarding institutes managed in the public and private sectors in Sindh. The unions in universities are remaining in abeyance since early 1980 through a federal government order. Following much pressures from students and damages done to leadership quality training in the higher education institutions, the Sindh government got the  Sindh Students' Union Restoration Bill , drafted in 2019, passed through the provincial assembly in 2022 to re...

IV Report KARACHI: A forum titled Sabka Ijlaas, held at the Pakistan Medical Association premises on February 8, brought together experts and right activists to emphasise the need for a well-integrated and financially strong overseeing body for Karachi. The city is currently facing infrastructure challenges that are causing concerns among its residents. The meeting, organised by Sabka Foundation, featured Dean Prof Dr Noman Ahmed, economist Dr Kaiser Bengali, and Former Karachi Administrator Fahim Zaman Khan as key speakers. The consensus among participants was that the present local government system in Karachi needs to be empowered economically, socially, and politically under new constitutional provisions. Dr Noman Ahmed highlighted the need for a functional oversight committee to ensure accountability and transparency in governance. He also emphasised the importance of incorporating a new chapter on local government in Pakistan's Constitution. Dr Kaiser Bengali stressed t...

54,405 women, 38,249 minors among 175,908 patients treated at SMBBIT in 2024 By Mukhtar Alam KARACHI: The Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Institute of Trauma (SMBBIT) in Karachi and its associated trauma and emergency response centre in Larkana collectively treated an average of 261 cases per day, comprising 240 road traffic accidents (RTA), nine gunshot wounds, and 12 assault cases, accounting for nearly 40% of total emergency patients they registered daily, according to the institute’s data of 2024. Quarters concerned note that this trend is a stark reflection of the broader societal issues plaguing the Sindh province. “The alarming rise in road traffic accidents and violent crimes is a clear indication of the inadequacy of traffic infrastructure and enforcement, as well as the ineffectiveness of government initiatives to improve road safety,” they say. Furthermore, the growing intolerance among individuals is seen as a major contributor to the surge in violent crimes, ultima...

KARACHI: A staggering 304,069 dog bite cases were reported to the public sector healthcare facilities in Sindh in 2024, with a yearly average increase of 25,800 cases since 2021, exposing the province's struggles to contain the stray dog menace and prevent the spread of rabies. Experts and literary searches reveal that rabies poses a significant public health threat due to the presence of a large stray dog population. These animals frequently attack people without provocation, necessitating treatment and protection from rabies in both urban and rural areas. However, decision-makers and authorities are struggling to find effective solutions to manage the stray dog population. A senior KMC health officer emphasised that town, union council, or district municipalities are responsible for managing stray dogs, as well as other wildlife. “Despite the high incidence of dog bite cases, authorities have yet to find a meaningful solution, with debates surrounding culling or spaying/neute...