Category: Health

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) Ufone, the Pakistani cellular company has partnered with Pakistan Red Crescent (PRC), a member of ‘International Red Cross Red Crescent Movement’, to support the communities affected by flash flooding and heavy snow in Balochistan. The two organisations have joined hands to distribute food packs in the affected communities.

The recent floods in Balochistan have so far claimed 13 lives, left 14 injured, disrupted the livelihoods of over 1000 families and caused damage to nearly 2000 properties. Ufone has always been at the forefront, in support of Pakistani people – providing network facilities, and supporting communities in times of natural calamities. The telecom company has a large customer base in the province, and has been awarded projects for the provision of voice and data facilities in areas deprived of it.

Amir Pasha, Head of PR and CSR, said, “Ufone wants to help these victims rebuild lives. We want to help our people through this crisis and ensure that adequate essentials reach them in time. Food assistance will get them through the critical days.”

Food packs will be distributed in Pishin, Khuzdar, Chaghi, Killa Abdullah, Killa Saifullah, Muslim Bagh, Ziarat and Loaralai.

Dr. Saeed Elahi, Chairman Pakistan Red Crescent said, “Food, water and shelter are the immediate needs of those affected in Balochistan floods. Quick and effective action is required to prevent further loss. PRC is distributing relief items to the families of affected areas through its vast network of volunteers.”

Karachi (Muhammad Yasir) As anext stepfor the launch of a government sponsored emergency medical response service, the Sindh Governmentvia the Patients Aid Foundation, has now transferred the first tranche of the ‘grant-in-aid’ toAman. These funds are meant for the sponsorship of its existing fleet of 60 lifesaving ambulances.

This first critical step for the upkeep of Aman’s existing fleet in Karachi sets the stage for the promised expansion to the required 200 lifesaving ambulances for Karachi as per WHO guidelines. The service is then intended to be expanded throughout the province of Sindh later. For an interim period, theseAman ambulances will continue to be operated by Aman Health Care Services itself underSindh Rescue & Medical Service or a similar name.

The expansion and long term operations are to be executed by an independent entity to be set up under a Private Partnership (PPP) framework between the Sindh Government, the Aman Foundation and Patients Aid Foundation at the earliest. Upon its creation, in addition to providing oversight and governance support to the new entity, Amanwill transfer its existing ambulance fleet, human capital and operating capabilities by way of donation to this new entity as a gift to the people of Karachi and Sindh.

It is to be noted that Aman Health Care Services operates the only fleet of lifesaving ambulances in Karachi and parts of Sindh, and has till date carried out over one million interventions. This ISO 9001 certified service isoperated in accordance with the international MPDS protocols and was bestowed with the Asian Emergency Medical Service Award in 2014.

The Aman Foundation, a not for profit trust setup in 2008, has spent in excess of PKR 5 billion within the healthcare sector of Karachi and Sindh only which is part of the approximate total of PKR 15 billion of philanthropic capital spent by it within health and education sectors across Pakistan and globally.

The implementation of this agreement brings Aman Foundation another step closer to achieving its founding mission of creating sustainable solutions for the betterment of Pakistan’s healthcare and education systems and scaling them through strategic partnerships with large-scale private and public sector players.

Karachi (Muhammad Yasir) Depilex Smileagain Foundation (DSF) hosted a press conference to commemorate the success of an acid burnt victim, Sana Naz’s case on Monday, 4th March, 2019 in Karachi.

Sana Naz, a young girl from Karachi was registered with DSF in 2016 after a man threw acid on her because of a grudge due to which she got severely burnt on her face and body. DSF arranged several surgeries for her and also trained her as a beautician, currently employed at Depilex Beauty Clinic in Karachi.

Sana Naz, with the support of DSF, filed a FIR against the said man and on February 13, 2019 justice was served, as the legal decision came against the perpetrator and under sections 324/34 336-B PPC, the perpetrator is sentenced for 14 years of imprisonment. He is further directed to pay PKR 500,000/- as compensation to the victim.

“This victory for Sana is a perfect beginning to March – a month where the entire world raises their voice to honor women who have shaped history and to ending discrimination against women and girls” Masarrat Misbah, the founder of Depilex Smileagain Foundation said.

She further stated: “This victory is a historic milestone for acid crime in Pakistan, and with the ongoing movement supporting women against harassment and mistreatment, we are so proud of Sana, who not only rose above the incident but legally fought the victim and came out successful – paving way for many others Insha Allah”

“I am ever so grateful to Amrit Shardah and advocate Mumtaz Ali Shah from Dastageer Legal Aid Center for taking up this task and to the doctors who have been a part of Sana’s journey.”

The Depilex Smileagain Foundation (DSF) was conceptualized in 2003 as a support and assistance group for women who are victims of domestic violence with special emphasis in the area of deliberate acid and kerosene burning.

Karachi (Muhammad Yasir) A seminar on Emergency Medical Services was organized by Aman Healthcare Services at the Karachi Press Club today. The seminar aimed at creating wider awareness in the media community of the critical importance of emergency medical services and the role Aman has played in this area for the past 10 years. The event also included a demonstration and on the spot basic training in lifesaving skills for the participants, keeping in mind that a medical emergency can happen anywhere and in anyone’s home, and knowing basic lifesaving skills can actually save precious lives while people are waiting for an ambulance to reach.  

Aman Foundation’s CEO, Mujahid Khan, GM Khaqan Sikander and Aman Health’s CEO, Shazina Masud, addressed the media, on operational and other aspects of emergency medical services, with a focus on the importance of life-saving ambulances in Karachi’s healthcare infrastructure. The speakers also highlighted the recently signed agreements with the Government of Sindh and Patients Aid Foundation, based on which the ambulance service will become free-of-cost for all citizens and the fleet will gradually be expanded to 200 lifesaving ambulances under a public private framework to cater to the entire population of Karachi.

It was pointed out that emergencies are reported every two minutes in the city on a daily basis. It is crucial that these emergencies are catered by lifesaving ambulances specifically as these have the facilities and equipment necessary to provide adequate medical attention on the spot. Paramedics present inside these ambulances are trained to gauge emergency situations and provide the right kind of attention on the spot to prevent further complications.

Another important aspect that was brought to attention was the need for establishing a single, fully integrated system which connects all hospitals and ambulances together, in order to make it easier for the citizens to get help in case of emergencies. With regards to this, the speakers lauded the Government of Sindh for having taken a step in the right direction by announcing the ‘Sindh Emergency Medical Services’ project. A similar public-private partnership already exists with the provincial government, established in 2017, whereby the two collaborate to provide free-of-cost ambulance services in Thatta and Sujawal.

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir)  The Hub Power Company Limited has collaborated with Al Baseer Hospital to hold free Eye Camp for the residents of Uthal, Lasbella District. The camp set up at District Headquarter Hospital carried over a thousand check-ups, eighty-nine surgeries along with distribution of free medicines and eye-glasses.

Hubco being the largest IPP (Independent Power Producer) with its flagship plant in Hub, Balochistan runs regular Health Programs for the adjoining localities. The Company also supports health centers in the neighboring villages of Hub under the supervision of the trained LHVs (Lady Health Visitors). In order to reach out to the far-flung villages, the Company has established mobile medical units that cater to the locals of twenty-seven nearby villages of Hub & Gadani. Each unit provides the villages with free medical services and medicines under the administration of a lady-doctor and a medical assistant.

The Company places special focus in ophthalmology (eye-care) to support the local community around its plant, with eye problems like cataracts, macular degeneration and glaucoma. The Company regularly conducts Free Eye Camp in Jam Ghulam Qadir Hospital, Hub, providing an opportunity for the villagers of surrounding areas to receive quality medical assistance. The Eye Camp held last year conducted around 1500 OPDs and 150 surgeries.

The Hub Power Company Limited currently produces 1601 MW through its three plants in Hub, Narowal and Azad Kashmir. The Company is the only power producer in Pakistan with interests in four projects listed in the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), namely imported coal based China Power Hub Generation Company (Pvt.) Limited (CPHGC) at Hub, Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company Limited developing Block II of Thar Coal Field, Thar Energy Limited and ThalNova Power Thar Pvt. Ltd, two mine-mouth power generation plants at Thar.

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) On the sidelines of Arab Health 2019, the region’s leading healthcare exhibition, GE Healthcare and The Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) in Karachi, Pakistan, today announced a strategic partnership to give Pakistan’s leading private quaternary care hospital access to a new range of advanced medical imaging and diagnostic equipment. GE Healthcare and its distributor in Pakistan, Shirazi Trading, have already started installation of the imaging, ultrasound and lifecare solutions and anticipate the project will be completed by May this year.

The Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) is a private, not for profit, university hospital, focusing on the delivery of the highest quality health care in Pakistan for over 30 years since 1985. It also serves as the teaching hospital for the brightest doctors, nurses, and midwives in the country. AKUH is the only teaching hospital in Pakistan accredited by the Joint Commission International, commonly considered the gold standard in health care delivery, and its clinical laboratories are the only institution in the country to be accredited by the prestigious College of American Pathologists.

Mr. Al-Karim, Chief Financial Officer & Vice President Finance of the Aga Khan University Chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network Health Network Group Purchase Program, said: “Technology plays a critical role in helping our doctors, nurses and staff deliver the highest quality care.  Our strategic partnership with GE Healthcare will give our clinicians access to the most cutting-edge medical imaging systems which will ensure that patients continue to receive timely care that is of the highest standard.

Dr. Mazhar Qureshi, Country Manager, GE Healthcare in Pakistan, added: “The Aga Khan University Hospital in Pakistan has built an impressive reputation both through delivering high quality care to the patients who need it most and by setting the standard in clinical training for leading healthcare professionals across Pakistan and the region. In equipping this renowned institution with our latest suite of innovative imaging, ultrasound and life care solutions, we help enable their clinicians to deliver faster, more accurate diagnosis that ultimately support better patient outcomes.  GE Healthcare is proud to partner with the Aga Khan University Hospital in Pakistan.”

Farooq Saleem, CEO, M/S Shirazi Trading Company, said: “Each of GE Healthcare’s solutions, installed and maintained by M/S Shirazi Trading Company, are ideally suited for the busy hospital environment at Aga Khan University Hospital Pakistan, making diagnostic procedures faster, safer and more efficient.   This technology will undoubtedly benefit both patients and students of Pakistan’s best private teaching hospital.”

Among the key solutions being installed at the hospital includes GE Healthcare’s SPECT (single-photon emission computed tomography) system, the Discovery NM630, which delivers superb image quality using scan times and doses as low as half that of standard Nuclear Medicine protocols.  Designed to maximize scannable population, it reduces table time for patients as scans can be set up faster, contributing to improved scanning speed and efficiency, as well as streamlined workflow. This is ideally suited for the busy hospital offering several specialty services under one roof.

GE Healthcare will also supply the Revolution™ EVO, an innovative CT designed to support the widest variety of patients and applications, from complex trauma or cardiac cases, to large patient backlogs in busy emergency departments that strain workflows and resources.

The Senographe Essential Mammography system, a full-field digital system for high-quality mammograms, will help elevate women’s healthcare at the hospital. It helps perform a wide variety of breast procedures-from in-office screening and diagnostics to interventions to mobile screenings.

A portable, robust cardiovascular ultrasound system, the Vivid S70 N provides fast, accurate visualization and quantification, while reducing clicks and repetitive tasks, while the Vivid E95 is a premium 4D Cardiac Ultrasound System assuring better image quality, faster volume rates with higher processing power, and smaller probes. Also new at the hospital is the Voluson™ E6, a versatile ultrasound system offering the superior imaging with added flexibility.

Visit GE Healthcare’s pavilion at Arab Health 2019 at Booth #S3B10, Sheikh Saeed Hall 3, Dubai World Trade Center.

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir)  A healthier lifestyle is a must in today’s exceedingly hectic and busy way of life. Usually the first thing we compromise is the health when we make food choices during the day. Sometimes it may be the lack of knowledge or sheer laziness, other times it can just be the convenience of junk food, instead of looking for healthier options.

To kick start the New Year on a healthy note, PTCL organized a session on ‘The Importance of Nutrients for a healthier and happier life’, which was largely attended by employees and was broadcasted live through Facebook@Work.

Dr. Nosheen Abbas, who is a certified nutritionist and an expert consultant, gave a talk on the importance of eating healthier, physical & mental health, work place obesity and stress eating. The idea behind the session was to create awareness on what is a healthy lifestyle and how to identify unhealthy eating habits. The best way to start being healthy is to control portions that you eat by taking a smaller plate, next you need to cut down on coffee, tea & fizzy drinks, complemented by physical activity like brisk walking, etc.

The nutritionist emphasized on a healthy work environment that includes taking mini breaks after every 2 hours, avoiding eating lunch at work desk, encouraging group lunches where teams can bring home cooked food, managing work stress, availability of healthy snacks at vending machines at work, listening to your body demands and most importantly, eating on set timings for a healthier life style.

Ahmed Jalal, EVP, HR Operations, PTCL, shared his experience of starting a healthy lifestyle that enabled him to control high cholesterol level through increased physical activity, eating healthy and avoiding fatty foods. He also highlighted the need to have a stress free work environment and how PTCL is taking steps like arranging this session to ensure a healthy and happy workplace for its employees.

Another significant learning from the session was that nutrient is not ‘One size fits all’ as everybody has unique nutritional needs. If you want to lose weight, random diet plan downloaded from internet or advised by a friend is not the right way to go about losing your weight.

An estimated 40M people in Pakistan suffer from High Blood Pressure, 32M from heart related diseases, 24M from Obesity, 18M from High Cholesterol, and 8M from Diabetes and about 50M from Mental Disorder. Alarming as it is, every disease in one way or another is associated with our eating habits. Any fat diet can take its toll on the body leading to multiple health issues if a proper diet plan is not being followed. To achieve a healthier life style and learn how our mind and body are connected to our eating habits, one must develop a healthy diet plan in consultation with a health professional, who can advise on the nutrient value and provide a diet plan that is suited to an individual’s lifestyle.

At the end of the ceremony, there was an interactive Q&A, where most of the questions were answered pertaining to eating healthy, increase in water intake, workplace stress management and advantages of physical activity.  A stall was also set up for PTCL employees for checking Body Mass Index (BMI), followed by consultancy and sharing of customized diet plans.

Karachi (Muhammad Yasir)  Mondelēz Pakistan Limited appointed Narmeen Khan as the new Managing Director of the company based in Karachi, Pakistan.

Narmeen’s appointment will play a critical role in supporting the Mondelez International continual growth strategy and driving its leadership position in the confectionary industry throughout Pakistan.
Having worked for Mondelēz International for around 14 years, Narmeen brings a wealth of experience and industry expertise to her new role as Managing Director. Narmeen started with Cadbury in Pakistan, was pivotal in developing the chocolates category and subsequently growing it by 25% during her time in Pakistan. This ultimately lead Cadbury Dairy Milk to its current market leader status and on the way, becoming one of the most loved brands within the country. Most recently, she was serving as the Marketing Manager, Meals Equity and Innovation lead for Middle East & Africa (AMEA region) based in Dubai, UAE. During this period, Narmeen successfully grew and developed various category businesses.

In addition to her extensive knowledge and experience, Narmeen will directly drive and lead the sales and business relationship management teams, developing strategies to support uptake of the company’s award-winning brands such as Cadbury Dairy Milk and Tang.

Commenting on her appointment; Alan Smith, Managing Director Middle East & Pakistan said that, “The company is pleased to announce the appointment of its new Managing Director, the first female in this leadership position at Mondelēz Pakistan Limited. This is a return home for Narmeen after dedicating a considerable amount of time for the EEMEA Market and spending almost a decade at Mondeléz Pakistan in various roles, especially as a Marketing Director. This is a true testament of our ‘Diversity and Inclusion (D&I)’ values which we draw upon at Mondelēz International. It’s a source of great strength and advantage for our business as it helps us bring on board the best people and the best ideas for an all-inclusive workplace.”

Narmeen led the launch of one of the largest and most successful innovation in EEMEA Cadbury Dairy Milk Bubbly, leading to receiving the ‘Launch of the Year’ award for the CDM Bubbly launch in EEMEA. Her notable contributions include the development and introduction of chocolate innovations, namely Marvellous Creations, CDM Oreo, Share bags and Perk 5 Star in the Middle East and Africa region.