Category: Medical

Lahore General Hospital (LGH) is among the city’s busiest avenues, especially during the daytime. Due to a large number of visitors and staff, the parking space is quickly filled during peak hours, which leads to road parking and subsequent traffic jams.

In his discussion with the media, caretaker provincial health minister Prof. Dr. Javed Akram informed that LGH will get a dedicated parking plaza soon to ease the traffic in the area and provide adequate parking facilities to the staff.

The minister also stated that the hospital will get a pediatric urology ward to cater to the patients. He stated that the caretaker government aims to facilitate the public through all viable means.

Action Against Illegal Parking

Last month, Commissioner Muhammad Ali Randhawa ordered strict action against parking in commercial buildings without permits in Lahore. He ordered the police to collaborate with the local administration to bring the efforts to fruition.

The department will seal non-compliant plazas and buildings, and fine parking areas. The joint operation will involve all LDA and MCL metropolitan wings and ACs, Randhawa stated.

According to the commissioner, 9 main avenues across Lahore are being converted into model roads. Encroachments along these roads will be eradicated in a citywide operation.

Source: Pro Pakistani

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has directed to provide uninterrupted modern medical facilities to poor patients on priority basis.

Chairing a meeting at Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute in Lahore on Saturday, he urged doctors of Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute to serve patients sincerely with available resources.

He said steps are being taken to provide latest equipment required for modern treatment.

Shehbaz Sharif directed to formulate a comprehensive strategy to ensure global quality of technical education in nursing college project.

Source: Radio Pakistan

Jubilee Life Insurance, one of the country’s largest private sector life insurance companies, in collaboration with Sehat Kahani, a leading one-stop telemedicine solution, recently surpassed 100,000+ consultations for policyholders with world-class doctors.

A celebratory event held at Jubilee Life’s Head Office was attended by Javed Ahmed, Managing Director and CEO, Jubilee Life Insurance, Farhan Akhtar Faridi, Group Head – Retail Operations, Marketing and Administration, Jubilee Life Insurance, Dr. Sara Saeed Khurram, Co-Founder and CEO, Sehat Kahani along with other representatives from both companies.

With both general physicians and specialists on the roster, the joint initiative of Sehat Kahani and Jubilee Life Insurance is providing free and unlimited OPD consultations 24/7 to policyholders nationwide.

Besides consultation fees, policyholders can avoid the hassle of waiting in long queues and commuting to a medical facility which incurs traveling costs and saves time.

The doctors under this partnership have 90% female doctors which also paves the way for our policyholders to get consultations for their female family members.

Speaking at the occasion, Mr. Faridi stated, “Healthcare and well-being are the most essential necessities, and providing access to timely medical care to our policyholders is of paramount importance to us at Jubilee Life.”

“Through this partnership with Sehat Kahani, we are utilizing digital technology to bring quality healthcare solutions in the form of OPD consultations to our policyholders at their fingertips. We are thankful to our corporate clients, banking partners, and colleagues for making this initiative a resounding success,” he added.

Jubilee Life and Sehat Kahani continue to support the objective of bringing the best and most affordable healthcare to policyholders no matter where they are in the country.

Source: Pro Pakistani

The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has recently introduced a voluntary scheme, called ‘golden handshake’ (GHS), which has been offered to around 100 permanent employees.

This move is in accordance with the PMDC Act 2022 and is aimed at reducing the government’s pension-related expenses.

According to a senior officer of the council, in view of the PMDC Act, the government has adopted a policy to decrease pension expenses by offering employees under the age of 55 a severance package in exchange for their early retirement.

The competent authority, exercising its powers under Section 9 of the PMDC Act 2022, has announced the GHS for regular employees who are under 55 years old and have at least ten years of service as of June 30, 2023.

Employees who accept the GHS will receive a double commutation of their pension as part of their final settlement. However, they will not receive monthly pensions. Additionally, they will be entitled to leave encashment of 12 months, and a payment equivalent to a one-year salary will be given as the PMDC welfare grant.

The general provident fund will be self-subscribed along with the PMDC contribution and interest after adjusting the outstanding advance amount.

A senior PMDC officer, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said that it was a requirement of the PMDC Act to offer the GHS to employees. “In the past, the Pakistan Medical Commission declared a mandatory GHS for employees and provided a nominal amount of Rs2.6 million to those in a special pay scale,” he said.

“However, the current GHS is voluntary, and employees, on average, may receive Rs10 million. Nonetheless, as the age limit has been lowered to 55 years, most employees may not accept it,” he added.

It is worth noting that in January of this year, the PMC ceased to exist after President Dr. Arif Alvi approved the PMDC Bill 2022, which has become an Act of Parliament. The PMDC Bill was passed in a joint sitting of parliament in December of last year and then forwarded to President Alvi for his approval.

Source: Pro Pakistani

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has started screening at Torkham border for prevention of monkeypox.

In this regard, the health department has formed a team of doctors to screen the passengers coming from Afghanistan at the Pak-Afghan border.

Source: Radio Pakistan

Mahaana Wealth has launched Pakistan’s first fixed-income Islamic fund under the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan’s (SECP) Digital Asset Management Company (AMC) framework.

The launch of this fund marks a major milestone in Pakistan’s financial landscape, as the first digital asset management company goes live in the country. The fund will be offered to a limited number of clients till commercial launch is allowed by SECP.

This Shariah-compliant Money Market fund offers a secure and stable investment option that aims to provide investors with a potential profit rate of up to 20 percent, which is significantly higher than the profit rates currently offered by Islamic banks in Pakistan, hovering around 8-10 percent.

CIO, Mahaana Wealth, Mubashir Zuberi, said “We strive to provide higher savings & investments return to retail investors, which were previously available only to the high-net-worth individuals.”

Mahaana Wealth has partnered with IT Minds, a leading provider of technology solutions in Pakistan and a subsidiary of CDC Pakistan, to deliver a comprehensive and streamlined solution for its back-office operations.

Commenting on the launch, Mahaana Wealth CEO, Muhammad Shamoon Tariq, said, “Our vision is to create a seamless digital investment experience that is both accessible and affordable for all Pakistanis. We believe that everyone should have access to the same investment opportunities, regardless of their location, income, or financial knowledge. With this launch, we aim to revolutionize the asset management industry in Pakistan by offering a comprehensive, automated, and user-friendly platform to investors.” He added, “I would also like to commend SECP’s role as a front-end regulator, which is continuously working in improving the regulations and frameworks for promoting the Asset Management industry in Pakistan”.

Fixed-income funds can serve as a vital financial tool for creating a social safety net for individuals and their loved ones, especially in the face of uncertainty. This steady stream of income can help families cover essential expenses during periods of unemployment or financial instability. By allocating a portion of their savings into Shariah-compliant fixed-income funds, individuals can work towards building a financial cushion that provides a sense of security and resilience in times of economic hardship.

Source: Pro Pakistani

Seven people, including two women and three minors, were killed while another suffered injuries when a car collided with a bus on GT road near Akhtarabad in Okara district today.

According to Rescue-1122 spokesperson, a speeding passenger bus travelling from Burewala to Lahore collided with a car coming from opposite direction while overtaking.

Consequently, seven car riders of a family were killed on the spot while one passenger suffered injuries.

Rescue-1122 shifted the bodies and injured to THQ hospital, Renala Khurd.

Source: Radio Pakistan

Market-first programme gives eligible high-end customers access to best-in-class medical resources from across the Greater Bay Area – including new “One-Stop Oncology Service” and “Health Arrangement Service”

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 18 April 2023 – Visiting customers seeking medical attention in Hong Kong often encounter challenges due to unfamiliarity with the city as well as its healthcare system. In response, AIA Hong Kong has launched AIA CarePass1, a market-first2, comprehensive curation of premium medical support services that integrates premium medical resources from across the Greater Bay Area for eligible high-end customers3. AIA CarePass features the all-new “One-Stop Oncology Service”4, “Health Arrangement Service”5 and six other value-added services – enabling customers to easily obtain high-quality medical services in Hong Kong and medical opinions from international experts, greatly simplifying the process of accessing medical services in Mainland China and Hong Kong, and providing medical solutions with estimated costs.

Ms Alice Liang, Chief Proposition Officer of AIA Hong Kong & Macau, said, “Many Mainland Chinese customers choose to seek medical attention in Hong Kong because of its renowned professionalism. Nonetheless, we understand that they may not be familiar with local hospitals or doctors and are concerned about the hassle of making arrangements in Hong Kong. To address these pain points, we are pleased to introduce AIA CarePass, which leverages the strengths of AIA’s vast partnership network to bring together top-class medical service providers and seamlessly connect customers with premium medical resources, all facilitated via a dedicated assistant.

“This first-of-its-kind programme will also enhance the transparency of medical costs so customers can better plan their finances before treatment begins. AIA CarePass is the latest example of how we constantly seek to break the boundaries of traditional insurance to continuously enhance and expand a unique AIA health service ecosystem that takes care of customers throughout their health journey – from prevention to protection, and from treatment to rehabilitation – helping them live Healthier, Longer, Better Lives.”

AIA CarePass is especially curated for high-end customers visiting Hong Kong. It encompasses a multitude of superior, high-quality medical services spanning eight major areas, including:

New “One-Stop Oncology Service”: Joining forces with Gleneagles Hospital Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Integrated Oncology Centre, AIA Hong Kong provides eligible visiting customers with one-stop integrated oncology treatments and services, supported by a leading multidisciplinary team of medical specialists in Hong Kong. A dedicated Service Ambassador from the service partner will be assigned to the eligible visitor (patient) for customised one-on-one support should they need to stay in Hong Kong for oncology treatments. From arranging an initial consultation with a medical specialist and explaining treatment plans recommended by the multidisciplinary team, to obtaining pre-approval of estimated medical fees and making administrative arrangements related to treatment, the dedicated Service Ambassador will be with the patient all the way to ensure that they receive continuous, professional care and support throughout the treatment process, so the patient can focus on their recovery.

New “Health Arrangement Service”: Backed by a global medical network, this new cross-border medical concierge service is designed to provide eligible high-end customers with the administrative support they need when travelling to Hong Kong for medical treatments. The service will recommend suitable hospitals to the customer based on their health conditions and specific medical needs. Once a customer has decided on a treatment plan, logistical services such as transportation, accommodation, admission, discharge and even medical repatriation (if necessary) will be fully arranged for the customer as well as their companions.

“Medical Green Passage”: This 24-hour reservation hotline provides priority appointment booking services at designated healthcare facilities for outpatient and inpatient services in Mainland China (including 3A-graded public hospitals) to shorten wait times and expedite access to medical care.

“Personal Medical Case Management Services with Rehabilitation Management”: Over 4,500 leading specialists6 across the globe provide customers with independent, third-party professional medical opinions and continuous follow-up. This service also supports customers with personalised rehabilitation plans in addition to a dedicated medical support hotline.

“Specialist Network”: This professional network encompasses experts from across medical disciplines to provide highly effective, quality services.

“Cashless Hospitalisation”7: Under this hassle-free cashless hospitalisation arrangement for designated hospitals in Hong Kong, Macau and Mainland China, AIA Hong Kong will pay medical expenses directly to the hospital upon approval so customers can focus on recovery and not find themselves drawn into the payment process.

“Worldwide Emergency Assistance”: 24-hour Worldwide Assistance Hotline offers overseas customers support and assistance for urgent issues.

“AIA Vitality”8: This game-changing wellness programme rewards customers for living healthy lifestyles with premium discounts or extra cover, and an array of lifestyle rewards and discounts.

Remarks:

Subject to terms and conditions. Please refer to the respective service description for more information on each service offered in AIA CarePass.

As at 28 February 2023, compared against similar services offered by major Hong Kong insurance companies.

The above service is only applicable to eligible insureds of CEO Pearl Medical Plan Series, CEO Essence Pearl Medical Plan Series, Regal Health Plan Series, Privilege Plus Pearl Medical Plan and Privilege Pearl Medical Rider.

The service provider will examine each related report to decide if the customer is eligible for “One-Stop Oncology Service”.

If the eligible customer wishes to receive the “Health Arrangement Service”, he/ she must hold and provide our designated service provider with the medical report containing the diagnosis results. The relevant medical report must have been issued by a registered Western medical practitioner within the past 60 days before commencement of the “Health Arrangement Service”. Except for administrative support, all actual expenses incurred for the Service are subject to additional charges and should be borne by the user.

Source: medix-global.com, 2022

“Cashless Hospitalisation” and “Medical Expense Pre-Approval Service” are administrative arrangements for the insured’s covered expenses incurred during hospitalisation and are not covered by the policy. AIA has the right to revoke this arrangement at any time without prior notice and reserves the right to make the final decision.

“AIA Vitality” is not an insurance product that falls under the jurisdiction of the insurance regulation. Applicants for “AIA Vitality” must be 18 years old or above and must be the insured of the in-force policy of an “AIA Vitality” selected insurance product. An annual membership fee is required to join. The annual membership fee will be charged for “AIA Vitality”, and a member has to renew the “AIA Vitality” membership annually on time in order to maintain the membership and enjoy premium discounts (if any) in the subsequent policy years. The membership fee of “AIA Vitality” may vary at any time without prior notice. Likewise, programme benefits may be added or removed without prior notice.

All services mentioned above, except for “Cashless Hospitalisation”, “Specialist Network” and “AIA Vitality”, are provided in Hong Kong by AIA Hong Kong’s designated service providers and are not applicable to the Macau region. Services are subject to terms and conditions.

Hashtag: #AIAHongKong

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About AIA Hong Kong & Macau

AIA Group Limited established its operations in Hong Kong in 1931. To date, AIA Hong Kong and AIA Macau have close to 18,000 financial planners1, as well as an extensive network of independent financial advisors, brokerage and bancassurance partners. We serve over 3.4 million customers2, offering them a wide selection of professional services and products ranging from individual life, group life, accident, medical and health, pension and personal lines insurance to investment-linked assurance schemes with numerous investment options. We are also dedicated to providing superb product solutions to meet the financial needs of high-net-worth customers.

1 As at 31 December 2022

2 Including AIA Hong Kong and AIA Macau’s individual life, group insurance and pension customers (as at 31 December 2022)

Source: Xinhua Finance Agency