Category: Medical

Officials and experts have revealed worrying statistics about the frequent use of antibiotics by the Pakistani people.

According to the acting head of the National Institute of Health (NIH), Dr Muhammad Salman, over 70 percent of antibiotics are used unnecessarily in Pakistan for the treatment of self-limiting diseases.

He added that such a frequent use of antibiotics leads to antimicrobial resistance (AMR), making them less effective against microorganisms that cause diseases.

Dr Salman advised against treating common diseases such as flu, cold, and other minor health complications with antibiotic medicines.

Speaking on the occasion, infectious diseases specialist, Dr Ejaz Ahmed Khan, said that the frequent and unnecessary use of antibiotics has made certain medicines ineffective.

He stated that such patients are then forced to rely on expensive medicines to treat chronic infections, costing thousands of rupees.

The head of the infectious diseases department at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Dr Nasim Akhtar, also shared her thoughts on the matter. She termed vaccination as the most effective option for the prevention of infectious diseases.

Dr Nasim also urged the prevents to get their kids vaccinated against over a dozen diseases that can be prevented through vaccination.

Dr Mumtaz Ali Khan, Principal Scientific Officer (PCO) at NIH Islamabad, stated that they are putting all their efforts into raising awareness about AMR, which has caused thousands of deaths across the world.

Source: Pro Pakistani

Minister for National Health Services Dr. Nadeem Jan has said that the government is introducing reforms in the healthcare sector to ensure the provision of medical facilities to the people at their doorsteps.

Addressing the inaugural ceremony of Biosafety and Bio risk management Training Lab in the Khyber Medical University Peshawar, he said this Medical University has brought together all the health sectors under one umbrella.

He lauded the role of doctors and medical community for serving the ailing humanity.

Source: Radio Pakistan

The incompetence of caretaker Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s government has put the health of thousands of patients at risk due to the suspension of free health services under the Sehat Card Plus Programme.

According to a national daily, the provincial government owes the State Life Insurance Corporation billions of rupees and so far, no progress has been made in this regard.

The officials of the Health Department have accused the caretaker government of violating the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Universal Health Coverage Act 2022 when the services provided through the Sehat Card Plus program were halted.

Talking to a local media outlet, an official stated that those responsible for the suspension of this service would be in deep trouble if someone approached the court against them.

Although the free health facility had been suspended various times in the past it was restored after a few days. However, it has been weeks this time since hospitals stopped treating patients under the sehat card.

It is worth mentioning that approximately 75% of patients across KP don’t have the resources to pay for the treatment of even minor health complications. The suspension of those card services has made things worse for them, particularly the cardiac patients.

A senior cardiologist at the Hayatabad Medical Complex (HMC) told the media outlet that most heart patients can’t afford to pay for angiography, which costs Rs.20,000.

He described the sehat card as a “blessing” for such patients but now they are unable to pay for their cardiac surgeries.

According to the Adviser to Chief Minister on Health, Prof Dr Riaz Anwar, they held a meeting with the senior officials of the insurance company. However, despite assurance, the company suspended their services.

Source: Pro Pakistani

World Health Organization (WHO) has signed an MoU with Pakistan to support the Universal Health Coverage Program.

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar ul Haq Kakar was also present on the occasion.

Under the MoU, the WHO has extended support for provision of equipment, ambulances and refurbishment of healthcare facilities including primary and secondary healthcare centers and mobile units. This project will reach more than ninety percent of primary healthcare services.

Source: Radio Pakistan

Minister for Health Services Dr Nadeem Jan has said that an integrated strategy has been formulated to strengthen the primary health care system.

He said this during his visit to a Community Health Center in Islamabad on Sunday to observe the patients’ care services. The minister reviewed the facilities provided by the Community Health Center.

He said that the Community Health Center should be fully functional.

He advised women to get their children vaccinated.

Source: Radio Pakistan

A five-day anti-polio campaign will begin in Peshawar, Khyber and Hangu districts tomorrow (Monday).

Over one point two million children up to five years of age will be administered anti-polio drops during the drive.

About four thousand five hundred teams have been constituted to vaccinate the children from door to door.

Source: Radio Pakistan

Minister for National Health Services Dr Nadeem Jan has announced the three-pronged strategy to successfully interrupt the circulation of polio virus in the country and join the ranks of the polio-free country.

Addressing a ceremony in Islamabad today, he said localized operational hubs are being established in Bannu as three out of four polio cases have been surfaced over there. He vowed to make these hubs well-resourced by providing additional resources and health experts.

Highlighting the effectiveness of an integrated approach to combat the circulation of polio virus, the Health Minister said polio drops are being administered to the children less than five years country wide with the supplementary doses of vital vitamins.

Nadeem Jan said government has devised a communication strategy with the major focus to remove all the misconceptions in the minds of general public related to the inoculation of polio drops.

Paying rich tribute to the polio workers, who are offering voluntary services by putting their lives into the risk, he said their services will be used further in nutrition, family planning and Health Hygiene after the eradication of polio virus in the country.

Source: Radio Pakistan

World Mental Health Day is being observed on Tuesday.

This year the theme of the day is ‘Mental health is a universal human right’.

The World Mental Day is an opportunity for people and communities to improve knowledge, raise awareness and drive actions that promote and protect everyone’s mental health as a universal human right.

In his message on the World Mental Health Day, President Dr Arif Alvi has called for creating awareness about mental health and well-being of people.

The President said most mental illnesses can be cured in a cost-effective manner if diagnosed and managed at an early stage.

He said we need an integrated approach to strengthen the existing infrastructure by using online mental health portals, virtual programs, artificial intelligence, mental health chatbots, helplines, mobilizing relevant government and other stakeholders, and forging public-private partnerships.

Source: Radio Pakistan