Category: Health & Safety

Lahore, Since its establishment in 2004, Sunshine Trust has been dedicated to transforming the educational landscape for underprivileged children in Lahore, offering them access to quality education and nurturing their potential.

According to Aman Foundation, Sunshine Trust was founded with the vision of creating a world where every child, irrespective of their socio-economic background, can access quality education. The Trust aims to mitigate the divide between deteriorating public-school education and costly private schooling. It focuses on providing contemporary, quality education to out-of-school children, primarily from underprivileged backgrounds, as a means to break the cycle of poverty and enable these children to become productive and respected members of society.

At the core of Sunshine Trust’s philosophy are values of equality, respect, and empowerment. The Trust is committed to providing an inclusive environment where children are treated equally, fostering self-respect and dignity, and empowering them with essential knowledge and skills.

One of the Trust’s flagship projects, Sunshine School, stands as a symbol of hope in the slums of Township Lahore. The school, which aligns its English-medium curriculum with the Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BISE) and places an emphasis on science subjects, has made significant strides. It boasts a fully functional science laboratory, a digital learning center, and a playground. Since its inception, Sunshine School has expanded its student body from 150 to over 750 children, many of whom had previously lacked access to formal education.

The Trust’s impact is evident in its achievements. Notably, 70% of the students at Sunshine School study free of cost. Academic success is a hallmark of the school, with 10% of students scoring above 95% in BISE exams and all students consistently passing their matriculation exams. Many alumni have pursued successful careers, a testament to the school’s emphasis on science and critical thinking.

Sunshine Trust’s efforts represent a significant contribution to the community, demonstrating the power of education to transform lives and uplift underprivileged sections of society.

Islamabad, The Pakistan Islamic Medical Association (PIMA) has called for urgent international intervention to rescue Gaza’s crumbling health system. In a plea directed to international bodies and countries, PIMA emphasized the dire situation of Palestinian civilians and the deteriorating state of healthcare facilities in the region.

According to Pakistan Islamic Medical Association, Dr. Abdul Aziz Memon, the central president of PIMA, highlighted the severe challenges faced by the health sector in Gaza. He reported that the number of active hospitals in the Gaza Strip has drastically reduced from 66 to 11 temporary facilities, which are currently under siege and frequent attacks. These hospitals face critical shortages of medications, medical supplies, fuel, and are grappling with severe water scarcity. Additionally, 110 health centers have been shut down.

Dr. Memon emphasized the grave violations of the Geneva Convention by Israel, citing targeted attacks on Gaza’s hospitals, the killing of over 300 healthcare workers, the arrest of senior doctors, and the destruction of ambulances. He described the situation as unprecedented, with hospitals being systematically deprived of essential resources like fuel, electricity, water, and medical supplies.

The temporary active hospitals in Gaza are overwhelmed with wounded patients and are struggling to contain the spread of diseases such as stomach ailments, pneumonia, meningitis, and scabies. The scarcity of clean drinking water has escalated the risk of various infectious diseases.

PIMA, representing doctors worldwide, has urged international organizations, including the United Nations, to take immediate actions. These actions include ensuring the continuous operation of hospitals in Gaza, enhancing their functionality by providing essential items like medical supplies and fuel, sending medical personnel, and establishing safe humanitarian corridors for evacuating severely injured and ill individuals.

This call to action from PIMA underscores the critical condition of Gaza’s healthcare system and the urgent need for global support to prevent further humanitarian crises in the region.

Karachi, Sardar Yasin Malik, a leading taxpaying industrialist and philanthropist in Pakistan, has pledged full support for a charitable initiative aiming to enrol 100,000 out-of-school children in Sindh by 2025. The campaign is spearheaded by the Green Crescent Trust (GCT), a non-profit focused on education.

According to Green Crescent Trust, the commitment was made during a fun gala organized by GCT at an amusement park in Karachi’s suburbs, which hosted approximately 2,000 orphaned students from underprivileged families enrolled in GCT schools. The GCT has already established 166 charitable schools in remote and underdeveloped parts of Sindh, serving 32,000 students from needy families.

During the event, Sardar Yasin Malik, who also serves as the GCT’s Patron-in-chief, announced his and other philanthropists’ and businessmen’s support to help GCT expand its network to 250 schools, thereby enrolling 100,000 children from disadvantaged areas by the end of next year. “I and my fellow businessmen will make sure that the Green Crescent Trust achieves this goal to address the issue of out-of-school children in Sindh,” Malik stated.

Malik urged other philanthropists and donors to increase their support for committed charities and NGOs like the GCT, which are dedicated to establishing quality education facilities in marginalized Sindh regions. He also encouraged the children at the gala to focus on their studies and strive for excellence in their future endeavours.

GCT CEO, Mr. Zahid Saeed, spoke at the gala, highlighting it as a regular part of GCT’s year-round efforts to support orphans and their families. He called for collaboration among reputable non-profit organizations in the education sector to tackle the challenge of out-of-school children in Sindh. Saeed also expressed gratitude to the federal government for awarding him the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz, recognizing his efforts in building schools in underserved Sindh areas. He thanked celebrities like Shahid Afridi and Anwar Maqsood for endorsing GCT’s campaign.

GCT Trustees, Saad Zia and Faizan Jawed, also addressed the gathering, emphasizing the importance of the trust’s mission and the impact of their educational initiatives in the region.

Karachi, In observance of World Diabetes Day on November 14, 2023, Indus Hospital & Health Network (IHHN) conducted a comprehensive diabetes awareness campaign throughout November 2023. The campaign, which spanned multiple IHHN campuses, was focused on educating healthcare professionals and the community about effective diabetes management and lifestyle modifications.

According to The Indus Hospital, Pakistan is facing a critical challenge with a diabetes prevalence rate of 26.7% among adults, translating to 33 million individuals in 2021. Additionally, a significant portion of the population remains undiagnosed, and an additional 11 million adults are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. In response to this national emergency, The Indus Hospital, Korangi Campus, has been providing care for an average of 1500 diabetic patients each month.

Key events held during the campaign included:

1. Continuing Medical Education (CME) Session at Indus Hospital, Korangi Campus: Held on November 14, 2023, this session titled “Breaking Ground in Diabetes Management” featured experts discussing the latest diabetes management strategies. Dr. Sumerah Jabeen led the session, with presentations by Dr. Aisha Sheikh on SGLT2 inhibitors and Dr. Qamar Masood on in-patient management of hyperglycemia. Dr. Asma Ahmed discussed GLP-1 agonists and their role in diabetes care.

2. Diabetes Awareness Session at The Indus Hospital, Korangi Campus: On November 15, 2023, this session aimed at raising community-level diabetes awareness and featured presentations by Dr. Sumerah Jabeen, Dr. Ayesha Sarfaraz, and Dr. Saba Akhter, covering various diabetes-related topics.

3. Empowering Expectant Mothers at Shaikh Saeed Memorial Center: On November 28, 2023, an awareness session for pregnant women was conducted by Dr. Ayesha Sarfaraz, focusing on diabetes during pregnancy.

4. Diabetes Awareness Initiatives at PIB Colony & Baba Island Campuses: These sessions, held on November 20, 2023, were led by Dr. Tania Najeeb, Dr. Dileep Kumar, Dr. Ayesha Sarfaraz, and Dr. Naushaba Sheikh, emphasizing lifestyle changes in diabetes management.

5. Diabetes Awareness Walk at Al Ghazi Trust Campus, Bhong: The event on November 14, 2023, featured a walk and an awareness session by Dr. Laiba, focusing on diabetes management basics.

The campaign was a part of IHHN’s broader efforts to address the growing diabetes menace in Pakistan and showcased the organization’s commitment to empowering both healthcare professionals and the community in tackling this health crisis.

Karachi, The Indus Hospital and Health Network (IHHN) successfully conducted its i-Hope Winter Volunteer Program at the Indus Hospital, Jubilee Town Lahore in December 2023. The program, part of the Indus Yaqeen initiative, is designed to engage youth in societal development, while enhancing their leadership and public-speaking skills. Students from Roots IVY School participated in this enriching experience.

According to The Indus Hospital, the i-Hope Volunteer Program provided students with a diverse range of activities. They visited various departments of the hospital, including the OPDs, wards, and the ER, under the guidance of Dr. Seemi Sadia. The program included insightful sessions on Empathy, Health & Safety, Mental Wellbeing, Giving Back to Society, and Motivation. The opening session was led by Dr. Shafiq, COO of IHHN North, with contributions from several other notable speakers.

The program concluded with the students presenting their experiences of interacting with IHHN’s patients, the activities they undertook, and the insights gained from the sessions they attended. Dr. Tasman Ibne Rasa, CEO of IHHN North, delivered a closing speech, encouraging the students to work diligently towards their goals and support the noble cause of IHHN. The students were awarded certificates of participation and shared their positive experiences at the hospital. They expressed admiration for the free-of-cost health facility, the friendly staff, the infrastructure, and the hospital’s cleanliness.

Karachi, The Indus Hospital and Health Network (IHHN) Clinical Laboratory has successfully attained accreditation from the College of American Pathologists (CAP), a prestigious recognition that underscores its commitment to healthcare excellence. This accreditation follows a rigorous evaluation process and a successful live inspection, marking a significant achievement for the laboratory in its first attempt at CAP compliance.

According to The Indus Hospital, the IHHN Clinical Laboratory met the stringent 2131 standards set by the CAP, demonstrating proficiency, accuracy, and reliability in its test results. The comprehensive accreditation covers various sections of the laboratory, including Chemical Pathology, Cytogenetics, Flow Cytometry, Hematology, Histopathology, Immunology, Microbiology, and Molecular Biology. This achievement is an endorsement of the laboratory’s exceptional quality and its contribution to delivering optimal patient care.

Dr. Nazia Khursheed, Chair of Pathology at IHHN, expressed her gratitude and congratulations to the team for their hard work and dedication, which made this achievement possible. Dr. Zafar Zaidi, CEO of IHHN, also commended the outstanding staff for their teamwork and dedication in realizing the dream of achieving CAP accreditation.

This accreditation from CAP not only enhances the reputation of IHHN as a leader in healthcare services but also reaffirms its commitment to maintaining the highest standards in patient care and laboratory services.