A recent alert issued by the Directorate of Drugs Control, Punjab, highlights serious concerns about using intravenous (IV) ceftriaxone with calcium-containing products, such as Ringer Lactate. This alert is based on reports of adverse drug reactions and underscores the risk of IV admixture incompatibility. Healthcare professionals are advised to take immediate action to ensure patient safety.    Details of the Alert Issued By:  Punjab Pharmacovigilance Center  Key Concern Using IV ceftriaxone and calcium-containing products together can cause severe, potentially fatal complications due to precipitation in the bloodstream. This issue is particularly critical in neonates but extends to older infants and adults under specific conditions.   Pharmacovigilance Center Findings The Pharmacovigilance Center in Punjab has reported numerous adverse reactions related to the combined use of IV ceftriaxone and calcium-containing products. Investigations revealed:  ...

by Shabbir Hussain Jatial Jungshahi,Thatta: The renowned nurse activist brings light to hundreds of ailing eyes in Free Eye Camp at Jungshahi Union Council in South Sindh The Nurse Entrepreneur Noreen Farhan is founder of Zhawia زاویہ organization has been striving for sustainable changes in the lives of communities in the health sector in coastal districts of Sindh and Balochistan in liason with government and non governmental organisations. Recently she succeeded in establishing a Free Eye Camp for treatment and surgeries in Jangshahi town of Thatta district.  At Free Camp at the door steps of vulnerable population in remote Jangshahi brough from Karachi many renowned ophthalmologists to undertake minor surgery, provided lenses,spectacles and medicines to around 380 men and women who lived with ailments as their fate.  Community mobilization and transportation of needy patients at Jangshahi township was arranged by local social organization. While for complex surgeries, ...

Karachi: On June 6, 2024, a consultative meeting was held at the Director General Health Services Sindh office to discuss the enhancement of stipend rates and seat allocation for Lady Health Visitors (LHVs). The meeting, organized by Director General Health Services Sindh, Dr. Waqar Memon, brought together esteemed healthcare professionals and educators to share their expertise and insights.    The meeting was attended by:   - Dr. Zahida, Additional Director General Health Services Sindh Chairperson Committee MEMBERS,  - Dr. Farheen Meher, Principal, Public Health School, Karachi,  - Dr. Raffat Arif, Principal, Public Health School, Hyderabad - Dr. Farzana Memon, Principal, Public Health School, Mirpurkhas  - Representative, Public Health School, Sukkur - Dr. Rehana Mithi, Public Health Expert - Khair-Un-Nisa Khan, Director/Principal, College of Nursing, Dr. Ruth KM Pfaue Civil Hospital Karachi - Other healthcare professionals and stakeholders  Th...

Karachi: A Milestone in Maternal and Child HealthIntroduction In a significant stride towards maternal and child health, Pakistan's first Human Milk Bank, accompanied by an Early Childhood Center, has been inaugurated in Korangi, Karachi. This initiative, a collaborative effort between the Government of Sindh and UNICEF, marks crucial development in providing optimal nutrition and care to newborns, particularly in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).     The Shariah-compliant Human Milk Bank was officially inaugurated by Sindh Health Minister Dr. Azra Pechuho. This facility aims to support infants who are unable to receive their mother’s milk due to various reasons. It ensures the provision of essential nutrients, antibodies, and protective factors necessary for the growth and development of premature or sick infants.    The primary goal of the Human Milk Bank is to serve hospitalized infants in NICUs by offering donor milk. This milk is crucial for provi...

 ```PRESS RELEASE ```  Karachi : Pakistan's representative professional association of Midwives, Lady Health Visitors, the "Midwifery Association of Pakistan (MAP)" held its National Body Meeting in a local Hotel from 4 to 6th June in Karachi under its newly elected President Doctor Professor Rafat Jan - a known Midwifery Academia. The National Body of MAP consists of 12 Board members from all provinces, Gilgit Baltistan, AJK and four members Executive Body. The three days moot reflected on past achievements of MAP since its foundation in 2006 and, the areas of improvement and action for the coming three years.  The national congregation of midwives chalked futuristic strategic plan for coming three years focussing on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) along with Government of Sindh and partners. The concluding session of third was marked with auspicous presence of Honorable Minister of Health and Population Welfare Dr. Azra Fazal Pechu who sought liaison between Gover...

The Midwifery Association of Pakistan (MAP) held its Board Meeting from June 4 to 6, 2024, in Karachi. The National Body of MAP, which includes Board members from all provinces and Gilgit-Baltistan, along with the Executive Body, gathered for this significant event. During the three-day meeting, the participants reflected on past achievements and identified areas for improvement. They also developed a strategic plan outlining MAP's activities for the next three years. The Honorable Minister of Health and Population Welfare, Dr. Azra Fazal Pechu, attended the final session. She emphasized the importance of collaboration between the Government, MAP, Path Finder, UNICEF, UNFPA, and WHO to enhance maternal and child health care and reduce infant and maternal mortality rates in the province. Other notable attendees at the final session included Dr. Dabeer Ahmed Khan, Dr. Yasmeen Qazi, Dr. Talib Lashari, Dr. Ghambhir, and other distinguished dignitaries from partner organizations. The Bo...

By Shabbir Hussain Jatial  Karachi: True to its traditions, CONAM Indus University organized a thoughtful International Nurses & Midwives Day in the Seminar Hall of Indus Hospital on 3/6/24. The keynote speakers, Dr. Pamella Marshal, Dean of Nursing Z.U.FONAM, Dr. Khair-un-Nisa Ajani, first Nurse PhD from A.K.U SONAM, and Director/Principal Indus C.o.N, and learned Nurse Educator Sir Hakim Ali Shah, impressed the audience with their wisdom reflecting the themes of International Nursing & Midwifery Councils 2024. Dr. Marshall drew the audience's attention with interesting anecdotes on Nurse Entrepreneurship, Dr. Ajani elaborated on the process of theme evolution and background research involved by ICN & ICM leadership, while Mr. Hakim Ali Shah presented empirical evidence of how investment in nurses and midwives results in significant impacts on decreased death and disease rates. This was followed by a panel debate led by Director Nursing DIONAM - DUHS, a rising research...