PMA calls for patient-led safety

                                                                                                                        — EI illustration
Ahead of World Patient Safety Day, PMA stresses safe care for life as NCDs cause over 60% deaths

IV Report

KARACHI: On the eve of World Patient Safety Day, the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) has reaffirmed its commitment to healthcare quality and lifelong safety, with a special focus on safe care for noncommunicable diseases (NCDs).

In a press release issued Wednesday, PMA aligned its message with this year's twin themes: "Engaging patients for patient safety: Elevate the voice of patients!" and "Safe care for noncommunicable diseases: Safe care for life!"

PMA noted that NCDs including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer and chronic respiratory disorders account for over 60% of all deaths in Pakistan. The burden is driven by sedentary lifestyles, poor dietary habits, high tobacco use, delayed screening and limited public awareness.

As World Patient Safety Day is observed on Sept 17, PMA said managing long-term conditions requires continuous engagement between patients, families and providers to eliminate preventable harm.

Outlining its priorities, PMA stressed that healthcare facilities must encourage patients to ask questions, understand long-term treatment plans and participate actively in clinical decision-making, noting that listening to patient experiences is vital to reduce diagnostic and treatment errors.

The Association also underlined the urgent need for broad community awareness campaigns on NCD risk factors, early warning signs, routine check-ups and the role of lifestyle modification in prevention.

Highlighting clinical risks, PMA cautioned that diagnostic delays, inappropriate drug combinations and fragmented treatment pathways pose severe threats to NCD patients, and called for strict pharmacovigilance, error-reduction protocols and routine safety checks across all diagnostic and screening procedures.

On doctor-patient communication, PMA said practitioners must prioritise clear, empathetic counselling on long-term medication routines, potential risks, side effects and self-care strategies to help patients manage chronic conditions safely.

PMA further urged federal and provincial governments to increase healthcare funding to modernise primary and specialised chronic care, enforce universal safety protocols in both public and private institutions to prevent hospital-acquired infections and medication mix-ups, and ensure safe, supportive working conditions for medical staff, noting that overworked staff and under-resourced facilities create systemic vulnerabilities that jeopardise patient outcomes.

"Managing chronic illness demands an empathetic, safety-first approach at every stage of a patient's life," PMA Secretary General Dr Abdul Ghafoor Shoro said. "When patients are heard and health systems prioritise lifelong safety alongside prevention awareness, harm is minimised and outcomes improve." PMA called upon policymakers, health authorities, hospital administrations and the public to unite for a transparent, safe and patient-centred healthcare ecosystem.

IV file photos

With an uninterrupted 23-year career in daily journalism (1991-2013), the author/editor of this blog currently serves as Editor of Social Track, a weekly newspaper focused on social sectors, based in Karachi. Holding a master's degree in Mass Communications from the University of Karachi (1990), his professional experience includes roles as senior reporter at Daily Dawn, Karachi (May 2001-August 2013) and Chief Reporter at The News International, Karachi (April 1991-May 2001). He has a strong background in development journalism, he has an extensive portfolio of news stories, analytical reports and features covering a wide range of sectors. He has had the privilege of covering numerous high-profile figures, including Pakistani presidents, prime ministers, army chiefs, foreign dignitaries, and VVIPs and attending conferences and workshops abroad. He began his journalism career in the early 1980s. Throughout his career, he has received several national awards from government and private organisations. He has contributed to various radio and TV/channel broadcasts and has also served as a trainer at workshops in Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad, focused on training journalists.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

KU scientists unlock Red Sindhi cattle genome

Image
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...
Read more

Budget lacks medium-term brain, power relief, tax equity: Experts

Image
KU AERC seminar says Budget 2026-27 focuses on numbers, not on export competitiveness, tax equity, or long-term planning IV Report KARACHI: The University of Karachi’s Applied Economics Research Centre (AERC) concluded that Budget 2026-27 is missing key structural links to growth, energy affordability, and tax reform, during its Budget Insight 2026-27 seminar held Monday. Speakers said the budget reads as an annual accounts statement, without the medium-term policy backbone needed to address Pakistan’s core economic constraints. Former State Bank of Pakistan Governor Dr Ishrat Husain said a budget must operate within a medium-term policy framework, not as merely an account of income and expenditure. Citing the 2010-11 NFC Award, he noted it had set a target to raise the tax-to-GDP ratio to 15% within five years. Fifteen years later, it remains around 11 percent, he said, adding that setting targets alone is insufficient without practical measures and continuous monitoring. ...
Read more

KU pushes for alumni giving, with transparency and target

Image
VC says donors need clear sector-wise plans and accountability to strengthen KU’s academic and research work IV Report KARACHI: University of Karachi leadership has outlined new expectations for alumni and donor support, calling for clear sector-wise planning and transparent utilisation of contributions to strengthen KU's academic and research work. They were speaking at the inauguration of a new digital lab at the Department of Mass Communication on Tuesday. The lab, equipped with 25 modern laptops, was established with financial and technical support from the Orange Tree Foundation (OTF) for final-year students. Acting Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Muhammad Tufail Jokhio said alumni residing abroad are keen to contribute to their alma mater, but accountability must come first. “It is essential to clearly inform them about the specific sectors and purposes for which their assistance will be utilised,” Dr Tufail said. “Equally important is to assure them that their contribut...
Read more