Day: November 3, 2020

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ASH needs Govt attention

KARACHI:The management of Abbasi Shaheed Hospital (ASH) has been facing multiple problems for long to run the affairs of hospital as high-ups in Karachi Metropolitan Corporation and Sindh government are unable to address financial problems of the institution.

 

The number of visiting patients and their admission has declined in this third largest public sector hospital of the megacity due to financial crisis of Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC). The hospital’s financial and administrative affairs have been run on limited KMC funding and philanthropic donations for last ten years.

 

The shortage of staff and life-saving medicines, unavailability of advance diagnostic facilities, suspension of food supply to patients, non-operational wards, insufficient supply of water, out of order equipment and other problems have badly affected the smooth functioning of this major healthcare institution.

 

Sources told PPI more than 700 posts, including that of doctors, nurses, paramedical and administrative staff are lying vacant in the hospital, which has badly affected the functioning of this healthcare facility. There are 2,100 sanctioned posts in the institution; out of them over 700 are lying vacant.

 

Not a single employee has been hired in this health facility in last ten years. The shortage of doctors, nurses, paramedical staff and administrative staff has badly affected the patient care.

 

Many diagnostic machines are very old and outdated. The MRI machine, ventilators, incubators and other equipment’s are also lying out of order while the administration is unable to get them repaired due to shortage of funds.

 

This 900-plus beds hospital did not receive even 15 per cent of its budgetary allocation; resultantly t all units of the hospital, including intensive care and emergency units face an acute shortage of life-saving medicines and other essential items.

 

The major departments of hospital are on verge of closure due to shortage of specialist doctors and consultants. Junior doctors are running these departments due to unavailability of seniors.

 

The patients are facing hardships due to the dearth of specialist doctors in the hospital, but KMC administration and Sindh government authorities concerned have miserably failed provide staff to this institution to improve its patients care.

 

Ongoing financial crisis has seriously affected almost every service of the healthcare facility, which once used to provide not only costly medicines free of charge but also food to its indoor patients. Currently, 40 per cent of the diagnostic machines at the facility are out of order. Director, Abbasi Shaheed Hospital (ASH), Dr Salma Kauser was not available for comments.

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Sindh retain National U19 One-Day title

KARACHI:Northern presented the National U19 One-Day Tournament title to Sindh on a silver platter when they lost their last nine wickets for 38 runs to lose the final by 53 runs at the Gaddafi Stadium on Monday.

 

Chasing 243 runs in 50 overs for victory, Northern were cruising at 151 for one before they were mesmerized by wrist-spinner Aaliyan Mehmood to be spun out for 189 in 44.3 overs.

 

Aaliyan Mehmood returned figures of 10-0-45-4 to not only pick up the player of the final award, but also finish the tournament as the third most successful bowler with 24 wickets, including four four-fers. He averaged 15.6, while his economy-rate remained at 3.69.

 

Left-arm spinner Faisal Akram of Southern was the most successful bowler with 27 wickets, including two five-fers, while Mubasir Khan of Northern ended the tournament with 26 wickets at an average of 12.42, including two four-fers.

 

Faisal was later declared best bowler of the tournament, while Mubasir for his 26 wickets and 332 runs was named player of the tournament.

 

After Hassan Abid Kiyani departed early, Mohammad Shoaib Khan and Abdul Faseeh stitched up a 147-run second-wicket partnership to put Northern on course for a comfortable victory.

 

But the dismissal of Shoaib Khan, who scored a 84-ball 71 with six fours, and Abdul Faseeh within a space of four runs opened all floodgates as Sindh bowlers got on top of Northern batsmen to run through the innings.

 

Abdul Faseeh, who became one of the two Adeel Meo’s victims, scored 70 with five fours from 99 balls. The 17-year-old, who was adjudged best batsman of the tournament, finished the competition as the most impressive and consistent batsman with 524 runs, including a century and five half-centuries. Sindh’s Mubashir Nawaz was the second most successful batsman with 390 runs, followed up by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Maaz Sadaqat (363 runs).

 

Besides Aaliyan, Zameer Shah took two for 26, Adeel Meo bagged two for 32 and Talha Ahsan snapped up two for 36.

 

Earlier, and after being put into bat, Sindh were helped by wicketkeeper-batsman Ghazi Ghouri and Rizwan Mehmood to a respectable 242 for eight after they were in a spot on bother at 93 for four.

 

Rizwan had held the top-order together with a quality 53 from 87 balls with six fours and a six, and later, Ghazi, in association with Kashif Ali (38 off 39 with five fours and a six), added 70 runs for the seventh wicket. Ghazi contributed 62 from 83 balls with seven fours.

 

For Northern, Faizan Saleem and Mubasir Khan equally shared four wickets between them conceding 19 and 47 runs, respectively.

 

The National U19 three-day Tournament will now commence on Thursday. In the first round action, Balochistan will take on Sindh at the LCCA, Lahore, Central Punjab will meet Southern Punjab at Rana Navedul Hasan Cricket Academy in Sheikhupura, and Northern will square off against Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at the Lahore Country Club in Muridke.

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Ali records six-fer as bowlers continue to dominate in Quaid-e-Azam Trophy for Second XI teams

KARACHI:Bowlers continued to dominate in the fourth round matches of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy for Second XI teams, as 16 wickets fell on the second day match between Sindh and Southern Punjab and 11 wickets in the match between Central Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

 

Here at State Bank Stadium, sixteen wickets fell on the second day as the match hangs in balance with Southern Punjab leading by 126 runs against Sindh with three second innings wickets in hand.

 

Earlier in the day, resuming their first innings on 52 for one, Sindh were bowled out for 149 in 62.1 overs. Shehzar Mohammad top-scored with a 137-ball 47, hitting five fours. Saad Ali was other notable scorer with 29 from 67 balls.

 

For Southern Punjab, Ali Usman took six wickets for 34 runs. Ali Shafiq and Zia ul Haq grabbed two wickets a piece.

 

At stumps, Southern Punjab in their second innings were 149 for seven in 48 overs. Zain Abbas top-scored with a 63-ball 37, laced with three fours and a six. Rameez Alam (26 off 82 balls) and Zia ul Haq (18 off 17 balls) will resume their innings tomorrow.

 

Sindh’s Abrar Ahmed took three wickets for 46.

 

Meanwhile, a 109-run opening partnership from Central Punjab’s Imran Dogar and Farhan Khan at KCCA Stadium helped their side to a 207-run lead with two second innings wickets in hand.

 

Resuming their first innings on 100 for seven, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were bowled out for 133 in 44.2 overs.

 

In reply, taking a five-run lead, Central Punjab were 202 for eight in 85 overs when stumps were drawn. Imran top-scored with a 155-ball 74, which included six fours and two sixes. Farhan’s 126-ball 45 innings included four boundaries. Bilawal Iqbal was other notable scorer with an unbeaten 38 from 88 balls, laced with four fours and a six.

 

Asif Afridi was the pick of the bowlers for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa taking four wickets for 60 runs.

 

Awais Zia’s century and Jalat Khan’s five-wicket haul put Balochistan in a commanding position against Northern on the second day of the non-first class match at TMC Ground.

 

Resuming their innings on 134 for three, Balochistan managed to score 375 for eight in 83 overs, courtesy 108 from opening batsman Awais. He struck 12 fours and three sixes in his 135 balls innings. Akbar-ur-Rehman contributed 79 from 121 balls, hitting six fours.

 

Shahbaz Khan chipped in with an unbeaten 62 from 86 balls, laced with two fours and a six.

 

For Northern, Farhan Shafiq took four wickets for 147, while Raja Farzan Khan grabbed three wickets.

 

In reply, Northern in their second innings were 112 for five from 36 overs when stumps were drawn. For Balochistan, Jalat Khan took all five wickets to fall, giving away 60 runs.

 

Ziad Khan (59 off 103 balls) and Jamal Anwar (0 from 18 balls) will resume their innings tomorrow with Northern still trailing by 94 runs.

 

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Southern Punjab defeat Balochistan by four wickets in a thriller

KARACHI:Southern Punjab recorded their second win in as many matches with a four-wicket win over Balochistan in a closely fought second round first-class Quaid-e-Azam Trophy fixture at the National Stadium.

 

Southern Punjab were 84 runs away from adding the crucial 16 points – for an outright win – to their tally when they resumed their innings on 70 for three on Tuesday morning. Led by Salman Ali Agha’s valiant 42 not out, they completed the task inside the morning session.

 

Saif Badar and Umar Siddiq built on the repair work they did last evening when Balochistan, led by Yasir Shah, reduced them to 39 for three in pursuit of 154. The pair added 24 runs to their 55-run stand for the fourth wicket as Saif scored 37 and Umar, the wicketkeeper-batsman, made 22.

 

Imran Rafiq, who recorded an unbeaten half-century in the first innings, was dismissed by Taj Wali on eight. Khurram Shahzad and Yasir, who finished the innings with three wickets for 55 runs after recording a five-wicket haul in the first innings, took the other two wickets.

 

With Balochistan gaining momentum after Southern Punjab lost their fifth and sixth wickets for 11 runs, Salman pushed the bowlers back as he played his strokes freely and hit seven boundaries.

 

Over the course of his undefeated 53-ball stay, the 26-year-old stitched a remarkable 31-run stand with Zahid Mehmood in which runs came from the former’s bat as the latter returned not out on nought after facing 22 balls.

 

Southern Punjab have now accumulated 50 points from two matches. This win earned them 22 points (16 for outright win, three for batting and three for bowling), while Balochistan added seven (four for batting and three for bowling).

 

In the next round, Southern Punjab play Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at the National Bank Sports Complex. Balochistan stay at the National Stadium to take on title defenders Central Punjab.

 

Sindh’s Ashiq Ali recorded his second five-wicket haul of the match and his first-class career as his side’s second round fixture against Khyber Pakhtunkhwa ended in a draw at the UBL Sports Complex.

 

The off-spinner took six wickets for 33 runs in 19.4 overs to finish with the match figures of 11 for 127. His scalps in the innings included top-scorer Adil Amin (38), Israrullah (eight), Ashfaq Ahmed (nine), Kamran Ghulam (12), Rehan Afridi (two) and Sajid Khan (0).

 

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were set a 289-run target and were 96 for seven in 45.4 overs when stumps were drawn on the last of the four-day contest. Left-arm orthodox Mohammad Asghar was the other bowler to take a wicket.

 

Earlier, Asad Shafiq scored his career’s 50th first-class half-century with an unbeaten 72. The right-handed Test batsman started the day at nine not out. His 130-ball innings was studded with six fours and a six.

 

All-rounder Hasan Mohsin scored 33 and Sohail Khan made 21 not out as Sindh declared at 234 for seven after resuming the day at 74 for three.

 

Both teams bagged five points for the drawn game. Overall, Sindh gained 10 points (which include two batting and three bowling) and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa pocketed nine points (which include two for batting and two for bowling).

 

Sindh, for their next round fixture against Northern, who beat Central Punjab ON Monday, will stay at the UBL Sports Complex.

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Man killed, other injured as chasing police mobile hit their bike

LARKANA:A young man died and another sustained injuries when a chasing Sachal police mobile hit their bike near Miro Khan Chowk within the limits of Waleed Police Station last night. Today morning, relatives held a protest demonstration after which SSP Larkana ordered lodging of FIR against the cops.

 

According to a report, Rahmatullah Mugheri, along with his relative Turab Ali Mugheri, were returning home after providing a dinner to one of their relatives at a private medical center when they were chased by Sachal policemen in a mobile.

 

When they reached Miro Khan roundabout, they were hit by the police mobile due to which both fell down profusely bleeding, but policemen instead of shifting them to the hospital, left them in injured condition. After sometime, Waleed police reached the spot and rushed them to Chandka Medical College Hospital for treatment where a 25-year Rahmatullah, son of Ashiq Ali Mugheri, succumbed to his injuries while treatment of Rahmatullah was underway.

 

On Tuesday morning, relatives of the deceased took his body, held a protest demonstration, staged a sit-in at Jinnah Bagh holding Holy Book in their hands, demanding justice.

 

They also shouted slogans against police brutality. Sonia Khatoon and Ashique, parents of the deceased young man, Zakiya, Majeeda, Anwar, Hanif and others said that police cruelty was evident from the fact that after hitting the bike, cops even did not shift the injured men to the hospital but ran away which was also an inhuman act. They demanded registration of FIR against the negligent policemen and their arrest. Meanwhile, after the demo, SSP Masood Bangash took notice and directed cops to lodge FIR against the involved cops but till filing of this report, no FIR could not be registered.

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Eight-year boy suspected of having polio near Naundero

NAUNDERO:An eight-year boy, Imran Ali, son of Muhammad Ibrahim Jat is suspected of suffering from polio as his one left leg has been very badly affected and his right leg has also started showing symptoms, PPI learnt Tuesday.

 

The boy is a resident of village Mangan located within the limits of Union Council Bahman, near here, and belongs to a very poor family. A WHO team of doctors recently collected samples which were sent to Islamabad for analysis but the report is still awaited.

 

His father Ibrahim Jat told newsmen on Tuesday that he is a very poverty-stricken labourer and cannot afford the high cost of treatment. He said anti-polio drops were administered to his all children but despite that his son’s one leg has been very badly affected and the other leg has started showing signs of polio due to which his son is feeling great difficulty in walking freely. He said his son’s name is Imran Khan and our prime minister now is also Imran Khan hence “I appeal to him to get his son treated abroad so that he could be saved from lifetime disability because life ahead is very hard”.

 

Dr. Akhtiyar Mangi, Focal Person for Ratodero, when contacted said that report of the sample is received between 15 to 20 days and if the test report is positive then the case will be followed and treatment will be provided to the affected boy. He further said that weakness of legs one by one can also be caused by reduced quantity of calcium or through other diseases. He further claimed that they are regularly following the case and soon its report will reach after which further action will be taken.

 

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Only Bilawal can take country out of crises: Minister

KARACHI:Provincial Minister for Information Science and Technology Nawabzada Muhammad Taimur Talpur has said that only Bilawal Bhutto Zardari could take the country out of crises.

 

In a statement issued from Talpur House on Tuesday, the minister said that if anyone had given employment in 12 years, it was Pakistan Peoples Party. Fewer jobs have been created in the last five years due to cuts in federal funding. He said that Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah would remain, there was no competition of the Chief Minister in showing performance, the performance we want to show is not visible yet but the performance will look better soon.

 

Talpur said: “NICVD is an important institution of its kind all over the world which is providing facilities to a large number of people. NICVD is treating people for free.”

 

He said that if anyone charged more for food and drink, then it was the responsibility of the district administration, but how could the district administration reduce the dollar and fix the price of oil. The minister said that PPP had already given jobs to millions of people and in the future, it would continue to give.