Indus Vitals

Dow University announces plan for Lifestyle Medicine Research Centre, calls for academic integration of prevention-based care IV Report KARACHI: With Pakistan facing a growing burden of lifestyle-related diseases, experts at an international symposium have called for a proactive shift toward prevention-based healthcare through the integration of lifestyle medicine — focusing on nutrition, physical activity, mental well-being, and other non-pharmacological interventions. The symposium, titled “Lifestyle Medicine: Redefining the Foundations of Health” , was hosted by the Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS) on July 26 and brought together national and international health professionals, researchers, and policymakers. According to a press release issued by DUHS on July 30, participants stressed the urgent need to connect lifestyle factors to the country’s escalating health crisis. DUHS Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Jehan Ara Hassan, addressing the event as chief guest, announced th...

IV Report KARACHI: Sindh Health Minister Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho on July 28 launched the distribution of 432 motorbikes and seven mobile vans among vaccinators and outreach teams of the Sindh Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI), as part of the World Bank-financed National Health Support Programme (NHSP). Speaking at the distribution ceremony, the minister—accompanied by Sindh Health Secretary Rehan Iqbal Baloch—handed over symbolic keys to designated district health officials. She said the newly allocated vehicles, branded with EPI messaging, were aimed at strengthening routine immunisation services and boosting public awareness across communities. The latest initiative follows an earlier phase held on May 16, when EPI distributed 300 motorbikes to support vaccinators working in remote and hard-to-reach areas under a mobility programme financially supported by the World Health Organization (WHO). Previously, EPI had also equipped its female vaccinators with 55 scooters. At ...

IV Report KARACHI: National Assembly Member and First Lady of Pakistan, Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, visited the Sindh Institute of Child Health and Neonatology (SICHN) and a mother and child healthcare facility in Korangi on Thursday, accompanied by Sindh Health Minister Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho and Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab. The delegation was received at the newly developed Azam Basti hospital — a SICHN facility — by Sindh Local Government Minister Saeed Ghani. Prof Dr Syed Jamal Raza, Executive Director of SICHN, led the visitors through various departments at both government-run health settings. During the visit, the delegation interacted with medical staff and met parents of young patients receiving care. According to an official handout, the visitors expressed appreciation for the dedication of healthcare professionals working to improve maternal and child health services in underserved areas of Karachi. The First Lady was briefed on SICHN’s main 200-bed facility, oper...

Experts highlight need for bio-controls, infrastructure upgrades, and policy reforms to combat losses KARACHI: Speakers at a workshop organised by Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS) discussed the key contributors to food insecurity in the country, and called for placing bio-controls, infrastructure upgrades, and policy reforms, among other steps, to overcome postharvest losses.   The two-day moot was organised by the DUHS School of Public Health (SPH) as part of an ongoing project on “Postharvest Losses: Key Contributor to Food Insecurity & Possible Interventions”, with the support of Higher Education Commission of Pakistan (HECP). The purpose of the project is to provide an insight into the agriculturists, growers, policy makers, researchers and students about fungi and other pesticides in postharvest losses, and to discuss policies to minimise these postharvest losses, said a DUHS press release. Speaking as guest of honour, Prof M Tariq Farman, Head of Cardio...

KARACHI: A book on Pakistan’s marine fauna — Pakistani Marine Faunal Biodiversity Inventory and Taxonomic Resources — compiled by noted zoologist Prof Dr Quddusi Kazmi, was formally launched at a ceremony hosted by the University of Karachi. The event drew applause from academics, researchers, and students, who hailed the collection as a monumental addition to the country’s scientific literature, according to a KU press release. Addressing the launch event, KU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Khalid Iraqi praised Dr Kazmi’s work, saying it stands as a testament to scholarly dedication. “Not only is the inventory a vital resource for students and professionals, but it also makes complex biodiversity accessible to the general public — a rare feat worthy of praise and emulation.” He commended the author for her rigorous and patient efforts in consolidating scattered data on marine fauna into a coherent and organised system. The book, he said, marks a significant step forward for environmental s...

Budgets shaped by revenue goals and elite interests fail to address rising public distress D espite receiving the stamp of approval from elected representatives, the national and provincial budgets for the fiscal year 2025–26 — cleared after rounds of presentations, debates, and motions in the assemblies — offer little by way of inspiration or impact for the general public. Once again, they fall short of making even modest commitments to providing immediate relief or targeted investments aimed at reducing poverty, bridging inequality, or significantly improving essential public services such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure. Instead, these budgets appear to be well-calibrated documents shaped more by revenue targets, bureaucratic obligations, and the priorities of industrialists and market forces. In contrast, the deteriorating living conditions of ordinary citizens continue to receive minimal attention, and without urgent and meaningful fiscal support, millions will rema...

IV Report KARACHI: The Directorate of Global Engagement at Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS), in collaboration with the Department of Otorhinolaryngology at Dr Ruth KM Pfau Civil Hospital Karachi, organised an event last week at Dow Medical College (DMC) to mark “Parotid Gland Diseases Day.” The event aimed to enhance awareness among postgraduate ENT trainees about parotid gland disorders, while also highlighting recent advancements in surgical techniques and interdisciplinary approaches involving general surgery and faciomaxillary specialties. According to a university press release issued on July 18, DUHS Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Jehan Ara Hassan attended the event as chief guest. She was joined by DMC Principal Prof Saba Sohail, Director of the Professional Development Centre Dr Farjad Sultan, and several senior medical faculty and specialists. Speakers shared insights into the evaluation and surgical management of parotid gland diseases, particularly focusing on chal...

Integrated care, improved early diagnosis, and efforts to end stigma urged amid growing neurological crisis IV Report KARACHI: Mental health experts have expressed serious concern over the growing burden of brain diseases in Pakistan and called on federal and provincial governments to prioritise the integration of qualified medical practitioners, health infrastructure, and community-level interventions to address the challenge. Speaking at a press conference organised by the Neurology Awareness and Research Foundation (NARF) at the Karachi Press Club on July 17—ahead of World Brain Day (July 22)—the experts warned that the country lacks adequate neurological centres, early diagnostic systems, and public awareness about brain-related disorders. They emphasised that the shortage of neuro and psychiatric specialists, particularly in rural and underserved urban areas, must be countered through policy reforms. These could include training general practitioners, family physicians, a...

In collaboration with Health Promotion Foundation, IHHN to help establish 3,000 free clinics for underserved communities IV Report KARACHI: The Indus Hospital & Health Network (IHHN) has partnered with the Health Promotion Foundation (HPF) to establish 3,000 dedicated diabetes care units across Pakistan, with a special focus on providing free consultations and high-quality care to vulnerable populations. The announcement was made during a diabetes awareness session organised for media professionals at the IHHN facility in Korangi on July 15. The session, attended by IHHN President Dr Abdul Bari Khan and other senior executives, marked the first in a planned quarterly series titled “Dialogue with Media” under the broader “With HealthWise” initiative. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Abdul Bari said the initiative aims to empower journalists with accurate and evidence-based information to influence public attitudes and behaviors regarding diabetes. “With the HealthWise series...

IV Report KARACHI: Sindh, along with other provinces, is set to launch the third round of its additional routine immunisation campaign—Big Catch-Up Round 3—targeting children aged 2 to 5 years across all 30 districts of the province. The 24-day campaign will begin on July 14, amid directives from senior health officials to ensure measurable and tangible outcomes, according to a campaign official. The campaign aims to vaccinate 1.5 million children against 12 preventable diseases, with the support of a large-scale operational workforce and updated micro-plans. Chairing a high-level meeting in this regard, Sindh Health Secretary Rehan Iqbal Baloch underscored that the campaign was not a routine exercise but a critical initiative to reach children who may have missed their regular vaccinations. “Our focus is on children aged 2 to 5 years who are feared to have missed routine immunisations. This round must produce results,” he said, urging district officials to update micro-plans, d...

(In Part 1, we reported on Sindh’s rising virus circulation and the widening immunity gap flagged by national experts. In this concluding part of the special report originally published in Social Track, leading paediatricians and infectious disease experts offer critical insights into why poliovirus continues to circulate in Sindh — and what must change in routine immunisation, accountability, and public health systems to overcome it.) By Mukhtar Alam Gaps in surveillance and campaign efficacy: Prof Dr Iqbal Ahmed Memon, Chair of the Provincial Expert Review Committee, offered a nuanced view of Sindh’s polio situation, suggesting that high virus detection may reflect “better surveillance sensitivity rather than outright programme failure”. “The increased detection signals active case finding,” he said. “However, immunity gaps persist—likely due to vaccine refusals and the complex dynamics of urban slums.” He added that such discrepancies are not unique to Sindh but indicative of ...