Category: Medical/Health Care

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17 more patients die of COVID-19 in Sindh

KARACHI:As many as 17 more patients died overnight across Sindh, lifting the death toll to 3,319 and 1,120 new cases emerged when 10,372 tests were conducted.

 

This was stated by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah in a statement issued here from CM House on Saturday. He said that overnight 17 more patients lost their lives, lifting the death toll to 3,319 that constituted 1.6 percent death rate.

 

Shah said that 10,372 samples were tested which diagnosed 1120 cases that constituted 10.8 percent current detection rate. He added that so far 2,222,406 tests have been conducted against which 204,103 cases have been detected, of them 88 percent or 179,780 patients have recovered, including 914 overnight.

 

CM said that currently 21,004 patients are under treatment, of them 20,158 in home isolation, 15 at isolation centres and 831 at different hospitals. He added that the condition of 727 patients was stated to be critical, including 66 have been shifted to ventilators.

 

According to the statement, out of 1120, 910 have been detected from Karachi, including 347 from East, 290 South, 117 Central, 71 Malir, 61 Korangi and West 24. Hyderabad has 33 cases, Sanghar 28, Thatta 15, Shaheed Benazirabad 13, Jacobabad and Shikarpur 12 each, Mirpurkhas and Ghotki 10 each, Nousheroferoze and Badin seven each, Larkana and Umerkot six each, Khairpur and Matiari five each, Tando Allahyar four, Sukkur three, Dadu and Kambhar one each. The CM has urged people to follow the SOPs to prevent the spread of the virus.

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Medics working without PPEs at KMC hospitals

KARACHI:Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC ) hospitals has been facing acute shortage of personnel protective equipment (PPEs), but KMC and Sindh government have failed to provide PPEs to them, credible sources told PPI Wednesday.

 

According to the sources, the doctors, nurses and paramedical staff working in Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, Karachi Institute of Heart Diseases (KIHD), Sobhraj Maternity Hospital, Spencer Eye Hospital, Sarfraz Rafique Shaheed Hospital and others have not been provided PPEs to protect themselves from coronavirus during the second wave of the virus in the country.

 

The medical staff of these health facilities were performing duties without safety gloves, masks, aprons, sanitizers and other safety kits. The doctors and supporting staff working in KMC hospitals are performing their duties under deep stress and pressure because their lives are at risk and in the present situation, they are examining the patients at the cost of their lives and even their families are also at risk.

 

The doctors, nurses and paramedics have also been reluctant to continue their job in the hospitals in such circumstances.

 

Spokesperson for Young Doctors Association (YDA), ASH, said the provision of PPEs was the responsibility of Sindh government and KMC, but they had failed to provide PPEs during second wave of COVID-19 so far.

 

Medical Superintendent, ASH, Dr Nadeem Rajput, while talking to PPI, said there was no shortage of PPEs in the hospital.

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81 million jobs lost as COVID-19 creates turmoil in Asia-Pacific labour markets: ILO report

BANGKOK/ISLAMABAD:Massive drops in working hours due to the COVID-19 crisis have had a devastating effect on jobs and incomes in Asia and the Pacific. according to a new report by the International Labour Organization (ILO) issued Wednesday.

 

According to Asia–Pacific Employment and Social Outlook 2020: Navigating the crisis towards a human-centred future of work estimates, the economic backlash of the COVID-19 pandemic wiped out some 81 million jobs in 2020. In nearly all economies with available quarterly data for 2020, employment levels contracted compared to 2019, says a press release issued by UN Information Centre Islamabad.

 

The impact of the crisis has been far-reaching, with underemployment surging as millions of workers are asked to work reduced hours or no hours at all. Overall, working hours in Asia and the Pacific decreased by an estimated 15.2 per cent in the second quarter and by 10.7 per cent in the third quarter of 2020, relative to pre-crisis levels.

 

Working-hour losses are also influenced by the millions of persons moving outside the labour force or into unemployment as job creation in the region collapsed. Using available quarterly data, the report provides a preliminary estimate that the regional unemployment rate could increase from 4.4 per cent in 2019 to somewhere between 5.2 per cent and 5.7 per cent in 2020.

 

“COVID-19 has inflicted a hammer-blow on the region’s labour markets, one that few governments in the region stood ready to handle. Low levels of social security coverage and limited institutional capacity in many countries have made it difficult to help enterprises and workers back on their feet, a situation compounded when large numbers remain in the informal economy. These pre-crisis weaknesses have left far too many exposed to the pain of economic insecurity when the pandemic hit and inflicted its toll on working hours and jobs,” said Ms Chihoko Asada Miyakawa, ILO Assistant Director General and Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific.

 

Women and young people are disproportionately hit

 

According to the report, most countries in the region saw a larger decline in working hours and employment for women than men. Also, women were more likely to move into inactivity than men. Young people have also been especially affected by working-hour and job losses. The youth share in overall employment loss was 3 to 18 times higher than their share in total employment.

 

“The report shows a clear picture of young people and women being pushed out of work compared to other workers,” says Ms Sara Elder, Senior Economist at the ILO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific and lead author of the report. “With increased unemployment, young workers are likely to find it difficult to compete for new jobs. When they do find work, it may well be a job that does not match to their aspirations. Millions of women have also paid a high price and it could take years for those who have exited the labour force to return to full employment.”

 

Labour income as another crisis victim With fewer paid hours of work, median incomes are falling. Overall, labour income is estimated to have fallen by as much as 10 per cent in the Asia–Pacific region in the first three quarters of 2020, equivalent to a 3 per cent loss in gross domestic product. A further consequence is the increase in working poverty levels. In absolute numbers, preliminary estimates in the report find an additional 22 million to 25 million persons could fall into working poverty, which would push the total number of working poor (living on less than $1.90 a day) in the Asia–Pacific region to between 94 and 98 million in 2020.

 

The report also warns that given the scope of the damage to labour markets, the overall size of the fiscal response in the region has been insufficient, especially in the region’s developing economies. As a result of fiscal expenditure gaps, the crisis is likely to exacerbate inequalities among countries in the Asia and the Pacific.

 

“On the more positive side,” says Ms Elder, “we are able to show in this report that government efforts to help enterprises retain workers, albeit on reduced hours, have worked to prevent what would otherwise be larger job losses. Given the mounting evidence that social protection and employment policies save jobs and incomes, the hope is that the crisis brings about a more permanent and increased investment in elements needed to boost resilience and promote a more people-centred future of work.”

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Pakistan, UNICEF urges strict COVID-19 SOPs

ISLAMABAD:The Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination (MoNHSRC), provincial health departments and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have urged the public to strictly adhere to COVID-19 Standard Operating Procedures (SoPs) in the wake of increasing number of infections in the country during the second wave of COVID-19.

 

While chairing an online event about Reinforcing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) during Second Wave of COVID-19, organized jointly by MoNHSRC and UNICEF, Dr. Faisal Sultan said, “The second wave of COVID-19 is rapidly spreading and the virus is reaching areas in the country where the virus did not reach during the first wave. The number of positive cases is increasing at a rapid pace and we have had to increase the capacity of treating COVID-19 cases in our hospitals.”

 

“COVID-19 is deadly virus but we can control it just as we controlled it by following the SoPs during the first wave. The Government of Pakistan is seeking your full cooperation in adhering to the SoPs. We can save precious lives including those of our near and dear ones by taking preventive measures. Wear a mask, maintain social distance, wash hands with soap frequently and avoid crowded places. Do celebrate on Christmas and wedding events but please keep the gatherings limited and take all precautions by following the SoPs. We are a strong nation and can defeat COVID-19 but for that cooperation from the provincial government is imperative, he added.”

 

Referring to the incident of the Army Public School on this day in 2014, the SAPM said, “We shall always remember our martyrs from the tragic event of APS in Peshawar and they shall always be alive in our hearts”.

 

With over 440,000 confirmed cases in the country till date, the Government of Pakistan is once again taking strict measures to mitigate the spread of coronavirus infection in the country. Provincial governments are following suit with health departments and administrative services enforcing necessary preventing measures at public places and encouraging people to protect themselves and others from the virus by adhering to the SoPs.

 

“With increase in number of coronavirus infections, the number of patients in the hospitals has also increased, said Dr. Yasmin Rashid, Health Minister Punjab. “This has happened because we did not continue to practice SoPs. We must wear a mask when going out as it reduces transmission of infection by 70 per cent. Proper handwashing with soap is very beneficial and so is social distancing. If we continue to practice all SoPs, I assure you that we will counter the second wave of COVID-19 just as successfully as we managed the first time.”

 

In his message for the occassion, Taimur Saleem Jhagra, Minister for Finance and Health, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa said, “It is after 102 years that a pandemic such as COVID-19 has hit the world. Pakistan countered the first wave very well but now the second wave has hit the country and it can be even more dangerous.

 

“Despite all difficulties, the first wave of COVID-19 was tackled by Pakistan in a very efficient manner, “said Ms. Rubaba Khan Buledi, Parliamentary Secretary Health, Balochistan. “Responsible civic behaviour of the general public made it possible. Now that the second wave of COVID-19 has hit Pakistan and we need the people to follow the SoPs very diligently. Please ensure that you wash your hands frequently, wear the mask properly when going out, do not go out unnecessarily and maintaining social distance with others. We in Balochistan are taking all possible measures to curb and curtail this disease.”

 

Dr Irshad Memon, Director General Health Services Sindh said, “In Sindh, we managed to control the situation well during the first wave of COVID-19, but just as the number of cases started to decrease, we became complacent in taking precautions against the virus. The positivity rate that had come down to around 2.5 percent has now gone up to 14 percent in the province, but we can control this by practicing the SoPs”

 

Since the outbreak of COVID-19 in Pakistan, UNICEF has been on the forefront supporting the Government of Pakistan to help prevent the spread of the virus. It has supported the national response in Risk Communication and Community Engagement by ensuring timely and accurate information to families and communities and promoting positive behavior towards following of SoPs.

 

“As we are now receiving positive news about COVID-19 vaccines, we must realise that the existence of a safe and effective vaccine alone will not end the pandemic,” said UNICEF Representative in Pakistan, Ms. Aida Girma. “We need a diverse set of tools to help slow the spread of COVID-19, including continuation of preventive measures such as hand washing, physical distancing and mask wearing, diagnostics and treatments. We can’t be complacent; we can’t let our guards down and we must continue to adhere to SOPs.”

 

“UNICEF has joined the Advance Market Commitment of the COVAX Facility to allow low- and lower-middle income countries access to COVID-19 vaccines. In Pakistan, UNICEF will be leveraging its unique strengths in community engagement and vaccine supply to make sure that COVAX facility have safe, fast and equitable access to the vaccine. This is an enormous undertaking and many challenges still lay ahead, but we are determined to make sure that Pakistan receives sufficient number and citizens have access to it”.

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12-year-old girl falls prey to dengue in Karachi

KARACHI:A 12-year-old girl died of dengue fever at a private hospital in Karachi on Monday, taking the death toll from the disease to two this year so far.

 

The Vector Borne Diseases Department of Directorate General Health Services, Sindh, has confirmed the death of the girl due to dengue fever in Malir area of Karachi. She was admitted to a private hospital since several days where he died during treatment.

 

The health authorities said today that 24 new dengue cases surfaced throughout Karachi city in the last 24 hours. Thus, the cases tally have reached 322 from 1st to 14 December 2020.

 

VBD of Directorate General Health Services, Sindh, has registered 344 dengue fever cases across the Sindh province in first two weeks of December out of which 322 were registered in Karachi and 22 in other districts.

 

In Karachi, District East was on top with 112 dengue cases this month so far followed by District South, District Central, District Korangi, District West and District Malir, respectively.

 

The VBD has registered a total of 3,899 dengue cases all over the Sindh province since 1st January to 14 December 2020 out of which 3,698 surfaced in Karachi and 201 in other districts of province so far.

 

In February 2020, a 35-year-old woman died of dengue fever in a private hospital of the city. A total of two people, both female, have died due to dengue fever in the city.

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NICVD signs MoU for renovation and equipping of Paediatric Cardiology Ward

KARACHI: The National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD) on Saturday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with American Pakistan Business Development Forum and Rotary Club of Karachi Crown to support NICVD in renovating Paediatric Cardiology Ward and providing state-of-the-art facilities in the model rooms.

 

The MoU was signed by Professor Nadeem Qamar Executive Director, NICVD, Dr Abdul Sattar Shaikh, Paediactric Cardiologist, NICVD, Zeeshan Altaf Lohya Co-Founder and Chairman, AMPAK-BDF and Assistant Governor and President, Rotary Club of Karachi Crown and Nasser Wajahat Co-Founder and Secretary General, AMPAK-BDF and Secretary General Rotary Club of Karachi Crown.

 

The ceremony was also attended by NICVD’s professors, doctors and management. Dr Abdul Sattar Shaikh later gave a tour to the guests of Paediatric Ward and various areas of the hospital.

 

According to the agreement, the Rotary Club of Karachi Crown and American Pakistan Business Development Forum in collaboration with the NICVD will renovate two rooms entrance of wards with one model room for paediatric ward having 12 beds and will provide beds, create ambiance and state-of-the-art facilities in the model room.

 

Thanking to AMPAK-BDF and Rotary Club of Karachi Crown, Prof Nadeem Qamar said that the purpose of this MoU was to continue to develop and expand a framework of cooperation between AMPAK-BDF and National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases to develop mutually beneficial programs for needy patients.

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YDA condemns theft of doctor’s car

KARACHI:Young Doctors Association (YDA) on Wednesday strongly condemned a car theft from the premises of Dr Ruth Pfau Civil Hospital Karachi (CHK) and demanded its early recovery.

 

A Cultus car of Orthopedic Surgeon Dr Asif Jatoi bearing registration number AZR994 was parked in the premises of hospital which was taken away by the thefts.

 

Similar types of theft incidents were also reported in the past but no concrete step had been taken yet to control such thefts.

 

A representative of YDA CHK chapter told PPI that the hospital security officials had failed to protect doctors and other staff. He alleged that millions of rupees were being misused annually in the name of hospital security.

 

YDA demanded of the health minister Sindh and other authorities concerned to help recover the stolen car and review the agreements with incompetent security company. He announced that YDA would observe protest by wearing black ribbon.