Category: Health

Karachi (Muhammad Yasir) Novartis Pharmaceutical, in collaboration with Pakistan Digital Health Initiative (PDHI) and National Incubation Center (NIC), organized Pakistan Digital Health Day here in Karachi at NIC. The event was organized in an effort to leverage digital initiatives that can extend people’s lives and change the healthcare ecosystem of Pakistan.

The event comprised of talks by featured speakers and panel discussions with personalities belonging to pharmaceutical, healthcare and digital backgrounds. The highlight of the event was presentations by health based tech startups who were featured at the event and got an opportunity to share their business vision. Number of country’s top startups were identified who are partnering and adding value towards future of Pakistan’s digital health patient and out-patient care segments.

In his welcome note, Sufyan Usmani, Head of Commercial & Communication, Novartis, shared the objectives of the digital initiatives and the collaboration with health based tech startups and companies. He also highlighted the contribution of Novartis as one of the top healthcare organizations in Pakistan.

Dr. Imran Rasheed, CEO, Novartis, while sharing his views said, “Digitalization is the future of Novartis and in that journey we believe that we cannot do everything alone. That is why we believe that we need to work with the right minded people, vendors and especially the new breed of startups that can help us not only to achieve our vision by taking bold steps and partnerships, but also make the environment we work in a better place to live in. Novartis being a digitally forward company promotes such initiatives as it’s completely in line with our global commitment of providing advanced patient care.”

While sharing his views on digital health ecosystem in Pakistan, Dr. Zakiuddin Ahmed CEO, Digital Care, Program Director – Digital Health, King Saud University said, “Studies have shown that around the world healthcare technology will exceed the market size of $600 billion by 2021. Global healthcare systems are embracing new technologies and undergoing massive transformation, however, Pakistan has yet to catch up. Digital technology enables access of healthcare easier in developing economies such as Pakistan, where a major chunk of population resides in far-flung areas. Therefore, it is essential that we make the most of digital healthcare technologies to address key medical needs of the populace.”

Dr. Kamran Iqbal, Head of Initiatives, PDHI, said, “We are pleased to launch Pakistan Digital Health Initiative (PDHI) today as we strongly believe that academia, industry and government coalition for digital health innovation and enterprise is extremely important. We should all come together to formulate and practice collective action approach where all the stakeholders are playing their part in enhancing healthcare ecosystem through digital means. He further added, “PDHI being a completely independent entity acts as a convening platform to will bring government, private sector and academia to form policies and solutions for digital health.”

Shahjahan Chaudhary, Director, NIC, while talking about digital healthcare innovation at NIC, said, “Entrepreneurship has always been the core of NIC, and bringing healthcare in this area is a step ahead. We are committed to improving the healthcare and technological content of life in Pakistan. It is only when we have synchronized our efforts, will we be able to combat the rising health crisis in the country.

These startups are playing a major role in this regard, and NIC being a framework which brings them all together, is fully committed and onboard to promote this digital health initiative.”

Dr. Asad Mian, Director, Critical Creative Innovative Thinking (CCIT) at the Aga Khan University was also present at the occasion and shared his views from academia’s perspective on how innovation is working towards enhancing provision of digital healthcare and improve patient care.“Given the high degree of morbidity and mortality because of the immense disease burden of Pakistan, we should consider disruption and its inherent innovation potential as our ally to have lasting impact on health outcomes.”

Members from the public policy, government officials, corporate sector, health and academia attended the eventto discuss challenges being faced by Pakistan in healthcare sector and how technology can be utilized to overcome those challenges.

 

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and Baahn Beli, on Sunday, launched the first-ever vulture-safe vaccination drive in Thar, targeting vaccinating over 6000 livestock in two days, as part of their ongoing vulture conservation programme in collaboration with the Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company in Sindh’s Thar region. Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company – under the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) – is working on various initiatives and projects targeted at interventions aimed to improve life of the Thari communities and enrich the bio-diversity of the region.

The drive was launched at a small ceremony organized in the vicinity of the Gorrano reservoir, which has overtime become a hotspot for birds in the region. Hundreds of local Tharis brought their livestock to the free vulture-safe vaccination camp, which also offered free veterinary check-up. Senior officials from the Sindh Livestock Department, Sindh Wildlife Department, SECMC, IUCN and NGO Baanhn Beli participated in the ceremony.

Chief guest on the occasion was MPA Sher Mohammad Bilalani. Speaking on the occasion, MPA Bilalani assured the gathering that the Livestock department will work towards ensuring the discontinuation of the harmful drug Disclofenac that has been responsible for the steep decline in vulture population in Pakistan. Representative from the Sindh Wildlife Department, Mr. Talpur said that it was mandatory that “we all work together to protect the wildlife which is our asset.” He also explained how different animals play their role in keeping the environment healthy.

Mr. Naseer Memon, General Manager CSR, SECMC appreciated the support given by the livestock department and MPA Mr. Bilalani, and encouraged the communities to help the programme achieve its objectives by playing a more active role in creating awareness of the threats to vultures and their role in the ecosystem.

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir)  Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has the distinction that it has launched Sehat Saulat Program, under which each and every registered family of newly merged districts of erstwhile FATA will get free health facilities, which is unprecedented.

Ajmal Khan Wazir, Advisor to CM – Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for tribal districts shared these views during a youth convention jointly organized by Individualland, a research-based consultancy and advocacy group and CRS, a strategic communications company here at a local hotel.

Dr Muhammad Riaz Tanoli, Director Social Health Protection Initiative, Govt. of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Dr Khalid Masood, Director, Lady Reading Hospital and students of various universities and colleges from across KP participated in the convention.

Mr Wazir urged the youth to play their role not only regarding awareness of this extensive program, but also to sensitize tribal families to get themselves registered with NADRA thus to get benefits of the program. “The program is another milestone achieved by the KP government under the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Naya Pakistan”, added Mr Wazir.

Highlighting the significance of the Sehat Sahulat Program, Dr Tanoli said, “Under this program, a medical cover of worth Rs 720,000/- per annum will be available to all the national identity card holder families of the tribal areas. Upon registration at our Beneficiary Enrolment Centres, spread all across Tribal Districts, each tribal family will get a ‘Sehat Insaf Card’ which can be used to get free medical treatment at any of the selected government and private hospitals all across Pakistan including that of tribal areas.

 “During admission in a hospital the patient will not have to pay a single penny against prescribed medical treatment”, Dr Tanoli added. “We will ensure that each family gets equal treatment at any of the government and private hospitals”, he concluded.

Dispelling certain misgivings pertaining to the program, Syeda Sundas, the event moderator, said that the Sehat Insaf Card will only be used for such medical treatment under which hospital admission is mandatory. This includes pregnancy or delivery, accidental wounds, fire incidents, heart diseases, diabetes and dysfunction related to heart, liver, lungs and kidneys except transplants.

Ms Sundas clarified that no cash payment will be made to any family in case of not availing medical facilities; however, an admitted patient will be given Rs 1,000/- for three times in a year in terms of transportation. Besides this, if a patient passes away during treatment at any of the hospitals, the grieved family will be given Rs 10,000/- for post-death procedure.

While explaining the usage of the Sehat Insaf Card, Dr Khalid Masood, Director, Lady Reading Hospital said, “The registered tribal family will have to bring along Sehat Insaf Card, National Identity Card and ‘B’ Form, in case of children, to any selected hospital and show these documents to the program representative available at the reception of the designated hospital. The representative will then guide the patient to the respective department”.

The participants appreciated the provincial government and promised to create awareness within their communities regarding the Sehat Sahulat Program.

 

–The first of its kind Corporate Coalition for Viral Hepatitis Elimination aims to improve awareness, screening, and linkage-to-care for viral hepatitis and ensure a work environment that is free from any discrimination for those with the disease–

Islamabad (Muhammad Yasir) Gilead Sciences, Inc. today announced that it has partnered with 12 leading companies in Pakistan as part of the Corporate Coalition for Viral Hepatitis Elimination in Pakistan (CCVHEP) program to support the Government of Pakistan’s effort to eliminate viral hepatitis in Pakistan by 2030. CCVHEP was announced at a press conference in the city that was also attended by Dr. Sania Nishtar, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Social Protection and Poverty Alleviation, and senior officials from the Ministry of National Health Services.

The coalition is led by a partnership between Gilead Sciences and Pakistan partner, Ferozsons Laboratories Limited with founding members including Abbott Pakistan, Atlas Honda, Citibank Pakistan, Descon Oxychem Limited, InspecTest (Pvt.) Limited, Jazz, Nestlé Pakistan, Packages Limited, Pepsico Pakistan, Sapphire and Service Sales Corporation. It aims to improve awareness, screening, and linkage-to-care for viral hepatitis. It is also committed to ensuring a discrimination-free work environment for those with the disease.

 “Viral hepatitis is a disease of epidemic proportions in Pakistan, impacting more than 7% of the entire population.  It has severe implications for our national productivity as well as our health indicators. Pakistan is committed to eliminating viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030. The launch of the Corporate Coalition for Viral Hepatitis Elimination, consisting of Pakistan’s most respected private sector employers, is a very encouraging development in this context,” said Dr Zafar Mirza, Minister for National Health Services, in a statement released at the ceremony.

“Addressing Hepatitis is foremost in national government’s health policy, and we will be launching the Prime Minister’s Program for Hepatitis Prevention and Control on the occasion of World Hepatitis Day later this month. We are also contemplating to launch a national screening program for hepatitis and linking it to effective treatment services. We invite the private sector to join hands with the government in helping achieve our national elimination goals”

Talking at the launch of CCVHEP, Dr Sania Nishtar, said that we hope to eliminate viral hepatitis in Pakistan by promoting public private collaborations. It is important area for us to focus on, as this disease disproportionately inflicts the poor and marginalized who usually suffer at the hands of bad health systems and practices. For all these reasons, the public health goal of viral hepatitis elimination and the launch of this coalition to support this cause is extremely opportune. It is indeed, a very pragmatic step by the industry and stakeholders.  There is a need that we understand that elimination of viral Hepatitis on a national scale requires public awareness and appropriate prevention strategies to tackle the epidemic.

Clifford Samuel, SVP of Access Operations and Emerging Markets at Gilead Sciences said, “Gilead Sciences is committed to working in partnership with governments, NGOs and the private sector to eliminate viral hepatitis in countries where the infection is highly prevalent. I am pleased to see the launch of the Corporate Coalition for Viral Hepatitis Elimination in Pakistan and I thank the leaders of these socially responsible companies for sharing our goal to help eliminate viral hepatitis in Pakistan by 2030.”

Pakistan has the second highest burden of viral hepatitis in the world, with an estimated 15 million people suffering from hepatitis B or C. According to a recent estimate, over 200,000 new patients develop hepatitis every year, and 10% to 40% of people with chronic infection may develop cirrhosis and potentially liver cancer. Many people contract the infection unknowingly, because of reuse of syringes, dental equipment and barber shop equipment.

Highly effective treatments for hepatitis C can cure the infection in over 95% of people. Hepatitis B can be prevented through vaccination. Those with chronic hepatitis B infection can manage the disease with lifelong treatment.

The private sector in Pakistan employs a large number of people and its commitment to the cause of viral hepatitis elimination strengthens the government’s response to the challenges posed by these diseases.

This initiative is in line with Pakistan’s commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the World Health Assembly’s declaration to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public threat by 2030. It is the country’s first such coalition of companies that will focus on both, preventing new infections and treating existing patients to prevent liver cirrhosis and cancer.

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) Reckitt Benckiser Pakistan Limited (RB), makers of Dettol in Pakistan, have been supporting the Government of Pakistan’s ‘Clean Green Pakistan’ movement through its campaign “Hoga Saaf Pakistan” by conducting a series of cleanathons across the country. As a part of the series of cleanathons, RB collaborated with Patients Aid Foundation (PAF) and Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) to create a cleaner and healthier space within the Medical ICU unit of JPMC. RB employees and volunteers supported the janitorial staff in cleaning the vicinity and painting public service messages to encourage visitors to maintain cleanliness.

Fahad Ashraf, CEO Reckitt Benckiser, said, “We appreciate JPMC’s trust on Dettol for providing a clean and germ-free environment for patients and their families. We encourage people and organizations to join hands with us in cleaning communal spaces around the country. As RB, we will continue to lead such activities to raise awareness and mobilize action, kyunke milkay lagayeinge jaan, tau Hoga Saaf Pakistan!”

On this occasion, Mr. Zahid Bashir, Chairman, Patients’ Aid Foundation (PAF) said, “I am pleased to see that corporate entities like RB are taking the responsibility of delivering hygiene and cleanliness messages through such initiatives. These activities encourage people to be cognizant of their habits and shift their lifestyles towards a healthier and cleaner living.”  

RB has been at the forefront to promote health and hygiene in the country through its campaign, Hoga Saaf Pakistan, and other national WASH programs since the announcement of Government’s Clean Green Pakistan movement. Earlier this year, the Company announced its commitment to support the Government’s Clean Green Pakistan movement by expanding on RB’s existing programs with the objective of spreading awareness about ensuring personal hygiene, toilet hygiene and most importantly, disposing waste properly.

 

 

 

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government has achieved another milestone to realise the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan by launching Sehat Sahulat Program that offers free health facilities to more than 1 million families of newly merged districts of erstwhile FATA.

Dr Riaz Tanoli, Head of Sehat Sahulat Program KP, shared these views during a CSO convention jointly organized by Individualland, a research-based consultancy and advocacy group and CRS, a strategic communications company here at a local hotel.

Ms Rakhshanda Naz, KP Ombudsperson, Protection of Women against Harassment at Workplace; Dr Maryam Bibi, Chief Executive, Khwendo Kor; Zaheer Khattak, Executive Director, United Rural Development Organization; Dr Khalid Masood, Director, LRH and representatives of more than 70 Civil Society Organisation (CSOs) from across KP participated in the convention.

Highlighting the significance of the Sehat Sahulat Program, Dr Tanoli said, “Under this program, a medical cover of worth Rs 720,000/- per annum will be available to all the national identity card holder families of the tribal areas. Upon registration at our Beneficiary Enrolment Centres, spread all across Tribal Districts, each tribal family will get a ‘Sehat Insaf Card’ which can be used to get free medical treatment at any of the selected government and private hospitals all across Pakistan including that of tribal areas.

“During admission in a hospital the patient will not have to pay a single penny against prescribed medical treatment”, Dr Tanoli added. “We will ensure that each family gets equal treatment at any of the government and private hospitals”, he concluded.

Dispelling certain misgivings pertaining to the program, Syeda Sundas, the event moderator, said that the Sehat Insaf Card will only be used for such medical treatment under which hospital admission is mandatory. This includes pregnancy or delivery, accidental wounds, fire incidents, heart diseases, diabetes and dysfunction related to heart, liver, lungs and kidneys except transplants.

Ms Sundas clarified that no cash payment will be made to any family in case of not availing medical facilities; however, an admitted patient will be given Rs 1,000/- for three times in a year in terms of transportation. Besides this, if a patient passes away during treatment at any of the hospitals, the grieved family will be given Rs 10,000/- for post-death procedure.

While explaining the usage of the Sehat Insaf Card, Dr Khalid Masood, Director, Lady Reading Hospital said, “The registered tribal family will have to bring along Sehat Insaf Card, National Identity Card and ‘B’ Form, in case of children, to any selected hospital and show these documents to the program representative available at the reception of the designated hospital. The representative will then guide the patient to the respective department”.

Dr Rakhshanda Naz while urging the provincial government regarding the treatment of female tribal patients said, “As we all know that most of these ladies are not very literate, thus they face lot more problems at public service hospitals. The government should take extra measures to manage such unavoidable circumstances”.

Dr Maryam Bibi in her speech thanked the provincial government for providing such wide-ranging health facilities to the tribal families. “This is a remarkable initiative however, I believe, a lot more to be done in this regard in coming day”, she said.

Syeda Aliya Azhar, Assistant Media Manager, Khyber Teaching Hospital briefly addressed the difficulties, which could be faced by any tribal family while going to any selected hospital for admission. “Representatives of this program are highly efficient and are trained to deal respectably with the tribal families. We are determined to provide them every possible support”, he said. 

Zaheer Khattak, while explaining current health standards, emphasized over the vital role of civil society organizations towards guiding the government for improved basic health facilities.

The representatives of various civil society organizations appreciated the provincial government and promised to create awareness within their communities regarding the Sehat Sahulat Program. 

 

 

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) Haleeb Foods one of the leading food and beverages company of Pakistan celebrated World Milk Day with SOS Village Lahore. This celebration aimed to recognize the significance of Milk nutrition in daily lives. Under this initiative Haleeb Foods distributed packs of its most nutritious and deliciously flavored milk FLAVA among the children of SOS Village, Lahore.

Haleeb Foods also conducted an awareness session to highlight the health benefits of Milk, which promises valuable energy and vitality for the children. Being a rich source of calcium, it is essential for the human body to strengthen the bones and teeth. With the primary focus on nutrition, health and the wellbeing of its consumers, HFL emphasizes the importance of milk-consumption to ensure proper nutrition and enhance regular physical activity to achieve optimum health.

Expressing his thoughts on the World Milk Day Memosh Khawaja – CEO Haleeb Foods said, “World Milk Day, celebrations across the globe, is aimed at spreading awareness about the importance of milk consumption and its nutritional benefits. Milk is high in nutrition and is the primary source of nutrition in children. HFL intends to raise the awareness on the importance of milk as part of a balanced daily diet and in particular for the development of children.”

Farah Asim – Head of Corporate Communications at Haleeb Foods further added, “We partnered with SOS Village to raise awareness on how important milk is for healthy nutrition in Children’s life. SOS Village has contributed tremendously towards the development of children without parental care by providing holistic support. Partnering with SOS Village, Lahore for celebration of World Milk Day gives us the ideal platform to contribute in nurturing a healthier Pakistan.”

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) ClimateLaunchpad Pakistan competition enters into its second phase with a 2-day training boot camp starting today to apprise clean-tech innovators with an entrepreneurship curriculum that will enable them to convert their clean-tech ideas into solid green business plans. Frans Nauta, Founder of ClimateLaunchpad, will be leading the training with 25 teams participating from across Pakistan. Participants at the boot camp include teams from Karachi, Islamabad, Peshawar, Multan, Sahiwal, Mardan, Swabi and Gilgit. ClimateLaunchpad is a global competition green business ideas competition initiated in 2014 and is taking place for the first time in Pakistan through strategic partner Stimulus.

Stimulus has signed of on an understanding with the Ministry of Climate Change Pakistan to engage students of different varsities across the country to partake in ClimateLaunchpad Pakistan 2019 under the Prime Minister’s Clean Green Pakistan initiative. ClimateLaunchpad Pakistan also enjoys the support of dedicated partners including Lucky Cement, Shell Tameer, City FM 89, Dalda, Impact Network Pakistan, Women Engineers Pakistan, Funverks Global, Madvertising and Eco-Guards Impactory who have enabled Stimulus in taking this mission forward.

The competition received 100 applications for from across Pakistan addressing solutions to challenges in agriculture, healthcare, energy efficiency, water and waste management. The top 25 applications from 100 will be going through a 2-day training, followed by 6 coaching sessions and then compete locally. The top 2 teams will represent Pakistan internationally at the Global Competition in November and compete against 49 other countries.

ClimateLaunchpad Pakistan Awareness and Networking event organized by Stimulus in Islamabad last week, was attended by Ms Zartaj Gul, Federal Minister of State for Climate Change; Ms Ardi Stoios-Braken, Ambassador of The Kingdom of The Netherlands to Pakistan; Ms Shandana Gulzar Khan, Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Commerce; Mr Haroon Kanth, CEO Teradata; Mr Zain ul Abideen, Head of Brands & Communication, Lucky Cement and other stakeholders from corporate, development and government organizations.  

Endorsing the initiative, Ms Gul said that: “Addressing the negative impacts of climate change and supporting sustainable industrial development through innovation and invention is the need of the hour. A green and clean future demands thousands of innovations challenging current business models; and investing in ideas and entrepreneurs is the way to go about it.”

Ms Braken also shared her views:  “Research and development are stimulated and business opportunities and new jobs are created as we search for innovative, clean and smart solutions to deliver the goods and services that people need – these could be in the sphere of climate smart agriculture, water management, waste water treatment, renewable energy, logistics and mobility, but also in areas like sustainable city development and food security.” She congratulated Stimulus for bringing Climate Launchpad to Pakistan; and urged all stakeholders to support climate innovation in Pakistan in their professional capacity.

Stimulus is a Pakistani consulting firm, focused on supporting emerging economies towards renewable energy access and sustainable economic & social development (www.stimulusorg.com). Bringing this competition to Pakistan is aligned with their mandate to develop innovative products and services, start new companies, and train a new generation of entrepreneurs.

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir)  In order to protect consumer health and raise awareness regarding food safety, Nestlé Pakistan celebrated ‘World Food Safety Day’ at Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR) Labs, Lahore. The event was organized in collaboration with Pakistan Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (PCSIR), Ministry of Science & Technology, Punjab Food Authority (PFA), University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF), University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Lahore (UVAS) and Pakistan Society of Food Scientists and Technologists (PSFST).

The event brought to light the need for food safety regulation in Pakistan to ensure food quality and standards which protect the health of consumers.

Capt. (R) Muhammad Usman, Director General Punjab Food Authority graced the occasion as chief guest. While sharing his views he said, “This year, the theme of World Food Safety Day is ‘Everyone’s Business’; which means that all stakeholders and relevant authorities should play their role in harmonizing food safety standards based on scientific principles.”

Dr. Farhat Jameel, Head of Regulatory & Scientific Affairs, Nestlé Pakistan, said “Being one of the world’s largest food and beverage companies, its Nestlé’s global commitment and top most priority to provide safe products to the consumers. The objective requires collaborative efforts from all stakeholders including government, regulators, academia, laboratories, the media fraternity, consumers and the private sector. It is only when we have synchronised our food safety standards based on global standards, we will have access to international and domestic markets.”

Sahar Samreen, Head of Quality Assurance, Nestlé Pakistan expressing her views at the event said, “The effective implementation of food safety rules and standards enable access of national products of regional and international markets.”

Engineer Adnan Akram, Acting DG PCSIR Lahore, while speaking on the occasion said, “Putting food safety and national food rules on the agenda is the first step towards socioeconomic growth for Pakistan. This will lead to food quality and standards which will protect the health of consumers while facilitating trade at the domestic and international level for the compliance of SPS/TBT of WTO regime.”

Officials from PCSIR, Punjab Food Authority (PFA), University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF), University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Lahore (UVAS), Pakistan Society of Food Scientists and Technologists (PSFST) and other regulatory authorities participated in the event. Beside this, representatives from various certification bodies, as well as raw and packaging material suppliers also participated and graced the event.

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) Water is a fundamental resource for the existence and survival of all life forms. UNICEF reports stunted growth in 38 percent of the children under five years in Pakistan. Stunting doesn’t only affect physical growth but also impacts the cognitive and mental development of children.

To address this issue, CCI Pakistan collaborated with WWF Pakistan to set up safe drinking water filtration plants across the country under project name “PAANI”. Under this initiative, 24 water filtration plants have already been installed between 2013-2018 which continue to serve safe drinking water to approx. 750,000 underprivileged people.

Keeping in view the success of “PAANI” project, Mr.  Ahmet Kursad Ertin, General Manager CCI-Pakistan, and Mr. Hammad Naqvi Khan, Director General WWF-Pakistan, have signed an agreement to install four more water filtration plants in 2019 across Pakistan.

CCI Pakistan is a subsidiary of CCI- a multi-national beverage company operating in Turkey, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Jordan, Iraq, Syria and Tajikistan. CCI is a key bottler company in the Coca-Cola system which produces, sells and distributes the Coca-Cola Company beverages.