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Category: Lifestyle

  • Injection causing vision loss withdrawn from market

    Injection causing vision loss withdrawn from market

    Federal Health Minister Nadeem Jan has banned the sale and usage of Avastin injection that led to severe eye infections and loss of vision.

    On Sunday, Caretaker Chief Minister of Punjab, Mohsin Naqvi, held a meeting with the Health department and doctors to discuss the matter.

    The number of patients affected by the injection across Punjab has increased to more than sixty, with the highest number of cases in Multan. The number of patients affected is expected to increase.

    According to the health minister, diabetic patients in Lahore, Kasur and other districts were given Avastin injections to tackle retinal damage, however, it led to severe infections and loss of sight in a dozen patients.

    Punjab Chief Minister has also halted sales of the injection in question and to remove stock from the market till the inquiry report is finished.

    Moreover, a case has been lodged against the two absconding suppliers of locally manufactured injection Avastin, while Punjab government has formed a five-member committee of experts to look into the matter and submit a report in three days.

    The Chief Minister has stated that strict action will be taken against all concerned drug inspectors for negligence and the affected persons will be treated free of cost.

    The Punjab government has also decided to monitor the supply of eye medicines, forming a committee for the sale of eye medicines and injections to issue licences.

    All the details of medicines and injections will be compiled in the data of the health department and there will be monitoring of surgeons’ procedures.

    The issue was raised by Chaudhary Manzoor Ahmed, member of Pakistan Peoples Party, who had posted on X (formerly Twitter) that his friend got infected and eventually blinded after getting the injection.

  • Increase in Pink Eye cases; IHRA releases SOPs

    Increase in Pink Eye cases; IHRA releases SOPs

    Lahore is in the throes of the spread of Pink Eye — medically known as conjunctivitis.

    According to health department officials, 85 new cases of conjunctivitis have been reported in the city within the past 36 hours.

    Several cases have also been reported in Karachi, Hyderabad, Rawalpindi and other cities.

    What is Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis)?

    Eyes have a transparent membrane called conjunctiva which covers it. Pink Eye is when the blood vessels become swollen or inflamed, which causes the eye to turn red.

    This often causes irritation and severe itching.

    While in some cases conjunctivitis heals on its own, some cases are severe and require consultation with the doctor.

    Symptoms

    According to Aga Khan University Hospital, symptoms include redness in the eye, increased tears from the affected eye, burning sensation, itchiness, and thick yellowish discharge from the eyes

    How does it spread?

    Pink eyes can be caused by a virus, bacteria or an allergy from dust, pollen, chlorinated pool, or any other item.

    It can also spread from person to person through close contact with the infected person or by touching the used items of the infected person; coughing and sneezing

    Treatment

    Islamabad Healthcare Regulatory Authority (IHRA) has released guidelines for the viral infection.

    It states that viral conjunctivitis can be treated with an antibiotic eye drop and/or a steroid eye drop. This helps in reducing the inflammation but does not treat the infection.

    The symptoms can also be countered with cool compress and lubricant eye drops like artificial eye drops (which can also be refrigerated to keep it cool and soothe the eyes).

    How to stop Pink Eye?

    1. Discard tissues that come in contact with the infected eye discharge.
    2. Do not share towel, soap, pillow and other similar items with others if you are infected.
    3. Do not share eye drops even with the infected person.
    4. Wash hands with soap for at least 20 seconds; especially before and after washing applying the ointment to the infected eye.
    5. Wash your hands after coming in contact with the infected person or with the items used by the patient.

    Remember to seek medical help in case of severe pain and sensitivity to light, weakening of vision, and if redness persists more than 10-14 days.

  • Karachi-Lahore flights encounter GPS signal disruptions

    Karachi-Lahore flights encounter GPS signal disruptions

    GPS signals for flights between Lahore and Karachi reportedly ran into difficulties in receiving signals.

    The GPS signals got disrupted approximately 100 nautical miles around Karachi and Lahore.

    Civil Aviation Authority has issued Notices to Airmen (NOTAM) regarding the problem and instructed the pilots of the aircraft to immediately inform them about difficulty in receiving the GPS signal.

    Complaints were also received around Rahim Yar Khan Airport that the planes were not getting the signal.

    This raises safety concerns for aircrafts.

    According to Samaa news, issues regarding GPS signals have been raised before as well but it still has not been resolved.

  • We need more conversations about women and postpartum depression

    We need more conversations about women and postpartum depression

    After giving birth to a daughter for the third time, a woman jumped off the second floor of the hospital in Lahore, sustaining severe injuries.

    22-year-old Sidra Afzal was suffering from postpartum depression after giving birth to a baby girl for the third time in a row. She jumped from the second floor of the Lahore General Hospital.

    Postpartum depression is the name given to the wave or phase of sadness and anxiety some women experience after giving birth.

    Resultantly, oftimes, women do not feel like looking out or caring for the baby or themselves. They have trouble sleeping and eating and might constantly worry about the baby’s well-being. This condition can also make it difficult for mothers to bond with their baby or enjoy motherhood.

    As in Sidra’s case, according to Dawn newspaper, the initial investigation revealed that she wanted to avoid the “comments or taunts” passed by her relatives for not giving birth to a boy.

    As per hospital management officials, the incident took place when Sidra was undergoing treatment in the hospital’s labour room where she jumped from the window and sustained severe injuries and was admitted to the Punjab Institute of Neurosciences (PIN) in a critical condition.

    Sidra gave birth on September 18 at a private hospital in Kasur and was then brought to General Hospital Lahore.

    According to sources, Sidra had gone to use the washroom from where she jumped from the window and sustained several serious injuries.

    The Medical Superintendent of the hospital, Professor Nudrat Sohail, said that Sidra reached the facility from Kasur, the doctors conducted tests and decided to again operate on Sidra. Considering her medical condition and complications, she was shifted to the intensive care unit where two female attendants looked after her.

    Postgraduate Medical Institute (PGMI) Principal Prof Al-Fareed Zafar formed a five-member committee headed by Professor of Urology Dr. Dr Khizar Hayyat Gondal to investigate the matter and bring the facts before the public. The police are currently investigating the matter further.

  • ‘Mastermind’ behind MDCAT cheating scam arrested

    ‘Mastermind’ behind MDCAT cheating scam arrested

    Peshawar police have arrested seven suspects on Friday, including the mastermind “facilitating” cheating in the recent Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT).

    City police issued a statement saying that they had received several complaints of some students cheating via Bluetooth devices and more.

    So far, 74 candidates, including men and women have been arrested and 19 cases have been registered at eight police stations in the provincial capital.

    The police claim to have arrested Zafar Khattak, the alleged mastermind of the scandal following the initiation of a formal investigation — a joint operation by the Peshawar and Kohat police led to the arrest.

    Khattak’s brother, along with Fahad, Fazal Subhan, Arshad, Fazl Wahab and Aminullah have also been arrested; all of whom are said to be highly-educated people.

    Electronic devices have been recovered which are to be sent to the Federal Investigation Agency for forensic examination.

    According to the police, other districts have also recovered 44 devices including microphones, mobile phones and a smart watch.

  • Father sentenced to death for raping daughter

    Father sentenced to death for raping daughter

    The Model Court for Sexual Violence in Lahore has awarded death sentence to Rafiq for raping his 14-year-old daughter.

    The verdict was read out by Judge Mian Shahid Javed. The court also ordered that the father should also pay Rs 10 lakh as compensation to the daughter, adding that in case of non-payment, the criminal will have to undergo another six months of imprisonment.

    The court directed the jail superintendent not to carry out the death sentence until confirmation from High Court.

    A case was registered against Rafiq back in in March 2019 by Satwa Katla police station.

  • Arshad Sharif murder case proceedings on halt

    Arshad Sharif murder case proceedings on halt

    The proceedings of senior journalist Arshad Sharif’s murder trial have been put to halt in District and Sessions Courts Islamabad.

    According to the details reported by Samaa news, witnesses have failed to appear and there is a lack of interest on their behalf; and so the case’ file was sent to the record room.

    Judicial Magistrate Abbas Shah issued the written decision of the previous hearing.

    According to the decision, on March 16, the court received a challan of Penal Code Section 512 in the Arshad Sharif murder case. On April 5, the court summoned witnesses to record their statements. They were summoned several times, but no one appeared.

    The court says that they are not interested in recording the statements of the witnesses in the Arshad Sharif murder case; the prosecution was given an opportunity to submit evidence 15 times. And so, at the previous hearing, the prosecution was given notice that perhaps the file should be sent to the record room. According to the prosecutor, private and official witnesses are not coming to the court to record their statements.

    In the judgement, it has been said that the prosecution can file an application for a new date considering the appearance of the witnesses, till further orders the Arshad Sharif murder case file is sent to the record room.

  • IG Punjab orders aggressive action against electricity thieves costing nation Rs600 billion annually 

    IG Punjab orders aggressive action against electricity thieves costing nation Rs600 billion annually 

    Inspector-General Police Punjab, Dr Usman Anwar, has directed top police officials in Punjab, including Regional Police Officers (RPOs), City Police Officers (CPOs), and District Police Officers (DPOs), to intensify efforts against anti-national and anti-social elements involved in electricity theft, which is causing a staggering annual loss of Rs600 billion to the national treasury. 

    In a special video message, Dr Usman Anwar emphasised that Punjab Police’s crackdown on electricity thieves has gained momentum, with over 1,000 cases registered daily, spanning the entire province, including Lahore. This financial loss surpasses the cumulative losses from 15 years of various crimes, such as dacoity and robbery, across Punjab. 

    According to Business Recorder, Dr Usman Anwar clarified that the scale of this theft far outweighs other criminal activities and assured that, following the directives of the Prime Minister and Chief Minister of Punjab, there will be no leniency for those involved in electricity theft. Offenders, regardless of their methods, will face legal consequences. 

    He expressed concern that innocent citizens must bear the financial burden of others’ theft, emphasising that no one will be allowed to rob citizens of their hard-earned money. Dr Usman Anwar urged citizens to cooperate with law enforcement, district administrations, and relevant institutions by reporting electricity theft in their areas to accelerate actions against these elements harming the nation’s financial interests. 

  • Tired of long queues at NADRA centres? Good news for you, then

    Tired of long queues at NADRA centres? Good news for you, then

    NADRA centres are to introduce various new facilities including renewal of national identity cards at post offices without waiting in queues.

    Counters have been set up in 10 General Post Offices (GPOs) in Karachi to provide facilities for national identity cards where devices are connected to the NADRA system.

    Post office counters have facilities for renewal of identity cards, change of marital status, while the facility of issuing replacements for lost identity cards will also be available at the counters.

    This means that ID cards can be renewed from the post office up to one year after expiry, while home address, signature and photograph can also be changed.

    However, biometric facility of blood relation is not available at post offices. Renewal of form is mandatory from a 16th grade officer while FRC and (b) form issuance facilities are not available.

    NADRA has agreed to set up counters at the Pakistan Post Office for 10 years.

  • Co-accused in Fatima case, Fayyaz Shah, rearrested for harboring criminals

    Co-accused in Fatima case, Fayyaz Shah, rearrested for harboring criminals

    Pir Fayyaz Shah, one of the suspects in the Fatima murder case, has been re-arrested today.

    The prosecution legal team has claimed that Fayyaz Shah has been arrested for two other pending cases filed against him after Fatima’s murder FIR was filed — one issue pertaining to a jirga and the other for harbouring criminals.

    A bench of the high court had granted Fayyaz Shah a six-day bail, ordering the police not to detain him in connection with the murder case of the child maid Fatima at the Ranipur Haveli.

    Following his arrest, Shah was relocated to an undisclosed location.

    Pir Fayyaz Shah is Asad Shah’s father-in-law, the owner of the mansion where Fatima died, and the father of the other suspect, Hina Shah. He has persistently claimed that Fatima died due to illness and the family had no involvement in the case. He claims that they are being targeted for political persecution.

    Earlier, Sindh High Court Hyderabad bench granted security bail of Rs50,000, while the decision on the bail of Hina Shah will be pronounced on September 26.

    Similarly, five-day physical remand of Asad Shah and Imtiaz Merasi were approved.

    Asad Shah and medical dispenser Imtiaz Merasi, accused in the Fatima murder case, were produced in the Anti-Terrorism Court.

    A 15-day physical remand was requested by the police, but the court granted a five-day physical remand and handed them over to CTD Sukkur.

    The accused were shifted to Sukkur CTD under tight security.

    Additionally, since the past one month, nothing, including the pin code of the mobile phone, could be recovered from the accused, Pir Shah.

    Fatima’s parents had expressed doubts over the performance of Khairpur police, on which IG Sindh handed over the accused to CTD’s DSP Abdul Qadoos.

    Caretaker Provincial Minister and IG Sindh visit Fatima’s house

    Caretaker Interior Minister Brigadier (retd) Haris Nawaz and IG Sindh visited village Khan Wahan of District Naushahro Feroze where they condoled with the father of deceased Fatima Phuriro.

    Nawaz said that he will ensure justice in Fatima’s case, giving instructions to the inquiry officer to complete the inquiry soon.