Tag: (TIH)

Karachi, December 09, 2021 (PPI-OT):Voices Against Tobacco (VAT), an initiative of Indus Hospital and Health Network (IHHN), today announced the results of a community research survey that showcases the dire need for change in tobacco control policies in Pakistan. The results were presented by VAT Student Ambassadors, who are rallying for the health and well-being of their communities, emphasizing that better policies are needed in order to reduce tobacco consumption.

“VAT aims to create a dialogue about the need for meaningful change to improve tobacco control measures in Pakistan and empower the youth to take ownership of their health and future,” said Dr. Saima Saeed, Director of IHHN’s Lung Health Program. Through trainings in tobacco control and community mobilization, students of the Islamabad/Rawalpindi campuses of the Punjab Group of Colleges carried out surveys within their communities, families and peers.

Over 1,200 households were surveyed to understand their attitudes and habits around tobacco. Out of these, over half (55%) included a tobacco user, and the average expenditure on tobacco was almost PKR. 70,000 per year. And yet, of those who consumed tobacco, only 48% perceived tobacco as extremely hazardous.

“There is clear, persistent use of tobacco in Pakistan, supplemented by a lack of understanding of the extent of the dangers of tobacco. While the entire population is affected by this, the youth are especially vulnerable and susceptible,” said Malik Imran, Country Head of Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids.

Students found that 70% of households believe that tobacco advertisement influence children into consumption. While stress relief was the most commonly chosen reason as to why people start smoking, households also agreed that curiosity, peer pressure and influence by elders play a significant role. In addition to outside influences, accessibility of tobacco also creates a gateway to usage. 70% of households agreed that cigarettes are affordable for the youth, and 76% agree that sufficient measures are not being taken to decrease consumption.

“This clearly indicates that people are ready for a change and are expecting the policymakers to do more” said Dr. Abdul Bari Khan, Chief Executive Officer, IHHN also noted that making tobacco products unaffordable comes under WHO guideline for tobacco control that Pakistan being a member, is obliged to follow.

Because the youth are more sensitive to the cost of goods, making tobacco products less affordable is likely to impact their consumption directly. A 30% increase in Federal Excise Duty on tobacco will result in 219,000 fewer smokers, 348,000 lives of future young smokers saved and PKR 19 Billion in additional total tax revenue.

As part of the initiative, VAT has launched a national petition asking for improved tobacco control policy, starting with a 30% tax increase on tobacco products. By signing the petition, supporters can push for greater measures for tobacco control, reducing consumption and protecting the health of Pakistani youth.

The Community survey shows the dedication and passion in our youth to work for the betterment of the future of Pakistan, now it is our time to help them realize their dream and work towards increasing the tax on tobacco products. The chief guest, Dr Nausheen Hamid, Federal Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of National Health Services, noted as well that it is our duty and responsibility to provide a safer and healthier future for our youth to thrive in.

For more information, contact
The Indus Hospital (TIH)
C-76, Sector 31/5, Opposite Darussalam Society,
Korangi Crossing, Karachi – 75190, Pakistan
Tel: +92-21-35112709-17
Fax: +92-21-35112718
Email: crd@indushospital.org.pk
Website: http://www.indushospital.org.pk/

Karachi, December 07, 2021 (PPI-OT):Indus Kay Sitaray – Indus Hospital and Health Network’s (IHHN) hospital-based school – was established for pediatric patients. The school held its first annual sports day on Tuesday, December 7, 2021. It was a monumental event that celebrated the little warriors who had spent a significant duration of their childhood battling cancer and other deadly diseases.

The day took place on a gloriously sunny morning, yet the brightest thing in the event were the children’s faces that showed happiness and enthusiasm. The children running around, under adult supervision, participated in several activities, including races and puzzles. No child was left out, and there was an activity designed for everyone. The children enjoyed the spirit of competition and cheered each other on as the audience applauded their efforts.

Former Pakistani Cricketer Muhammad Shoaib, and Nudrat Imam, Principal of Shahwilayat Public School were the guests of honour. Amongst those in attendance were Dr. Abdul Bari Khan, Chief Executive Officer, IHHN, Dr. Muhammad Fareeduddin, Senior Consultant and Chair, Pediatric Services, IHHN. Faculty members from several departments also stopped by to show their support and became a part of the festivities.

The event concluded with a prize distribution where each child was presented with a toy and trophy. Dr. Bari Khan gave a speech where he congratulated the organizers for their tremendous efforts and praised the children for making this event a memorable day for everyone involved. Nudrat Imam thanked IHHN for inviting her to be part of this historic event. “I am proud of these children and would like to offer my sincerest thanks to the audience, Dr. Abdul Bari Khan, and Indus Hospital and Health Network for organizing such a wonderful event.”

Dr. Fareeduddin Ahmed said, “I am pleased to see that the children’s spirits were uplifted. The holistic approach we use to treat these children has ultimately led to this successful event. Their happiness and perseverance give us the strength and resolve to continue fighting for them. “Where there is a will, there is a way, and thanks to the Grace of Allah, we will continue to help these children,” he added. The event concluded with the media interviewing the little warriors, who have proven to be a beacon of hope and inspiration for all.

For more information, contact
The Indus Hospital (TIH)
C-76, Sector 31/5, Opposite Darussalam Society,
Korangi Crossing, Karachi – 75190, Pakistan
Tel: +92-21-35112709-17
Fax: +92-21-35112718
Email: crd@indushospital.org.pk
Website: http://www.indushospital.org.pk/

Karachi, December 02, 2021 (PPI-OT):More than 100 participants from different public and private healthcare organizations participated in the ‘1st National Patient Safety Conference – Patient Centered Care’ on December 2, 2021. The conference was organized by the Government of Sindh in collaboration with Indus Hospital and Health Network (IHHN) and World Health Organization (WHO).

The conference provided an opportunity to promote safety culture among healthcare providers as well as address patient safety challenges faced by public and private hospitals and the role of policymakers in combating those challenges. Syed Ehsan Shah, Health Minister, Balochistan, was the guest of honor, while Dr. Abdur Rashid, Director, Drug Regulatory Authority Pakistan, was the keynote speaker at the conference. Dr. Sara Salman, Provincial Head of Office – Sindh, WHO was also present at the conference.

Leading healthcare experts from Pakistan included: Dr. Quaid Saeed, Chief Executive Officer, Islamabad Healthcare Regulatory Authority, Dr. Mairaj Shah, Chief Operating Officer, Secondary Hospitals Aga Khan University Hospital, Dr. Bashir Hanif, Executive Medical Director, Tabba Heart Institute, and Dr. Ahson Qavi Siddiqi, CEO, Sindh Healthcare Commission.

“We are grateful to the Government of Sindh and WHO for the tremendous support they have provided for this conference. We would also like to acknowledge the presence of policymakers in attendance. It is a great initiative that will bring change across the country,” said Dr. Abdul Bari Khan, Chief Executive Officer, IHHN.

“Patient safety is a critical global issue, and it is vital how we deal with it. Every year many patients are harmed because of unsafe practices. We are working on plans to take action in addressing the issues of patient safety. In collaboration with WHO Pakistan, the federal ministry of health is working on initiatives and national strategies that I believe will improve quality of care and expand patient safety to primary care and engage communities,” added Dr. Palitha Mahipala, Head of Mission – Pakistan, WHO while addressing the conference virtually.

Patient safety has become an essential healthcare discipline in recent times due to the complexity of healthcare systems and the rising trend of patient harm in medical facilities. Global efforts to reduce the burden of patient harm have not achieved substantial change over the past 15 years, despite pioneering work in some health care settings.

Dr. Lubna Mushtaq, Head of Department, Quality and Monitoring Directorate, IHHN said that this conference was the need of the hour. “Times are changing due to COVID-19 and the Omicron variant. This conference is the first of many to use augmented and virtual technologies to bring everyone together.” “The purpose of the conference is to recognize the challenges each one of us faces and the uncertainty of whether we will receive proper care or not. IHHN recognizes the significance of quality of patient safety and institutional support,” she added.

Patient safety is an urgent and serious global public health concern. It is estimated that the cost of harm associated with the loss of life or permanent disability, which results in lost capacity and productivity of the affected patients and families, amounts to trillions of US dollars every year. Additionally, the psychological cost to the patient and their family (associated with the loss or disabling of a loved one), is undoubtedly significant, though more difficult to measure.

Patient harm due to adverse events is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The available evidence suggests that hospitalization in low and middle income countries leads to 134 million adverse events annually, resulting in 2.6 million deaths. Syed Ehsan Shah said that the 1st National Conference on Patient Safety gives us a chance to talk about this critical aspect of healthcare on a larger level and take urgent action to ensure patients are looked after during their hospital stay.

“I want to thank the Government of Sindh and WHO for this conference. In addition, I would like to acknowledge the organizing committee’s efforts in making this conference possible. Our purpose for this conference is to ensure a safe and secure environment for our patients with quality care. This is the first conference where we are focusing on this aspect of health care,” he said.

Shah continued, “Paramedics have the most critical role in this and require proper training to ensure that qualified professionals are at the helm and can perform an even better job. Third-world countries suffer the most from poor patient-centered care, which has resulted in over 2.5 million deaths. If we look at this closely, it is a statistical tragedy.” “In my opinion, this is an unacceptable number, and through awareness, we can create better environments in hospitals,” he added.

Qasim Siraj Soomro, Parliamentary Health Secretary Sindh, said, “Patient-centered care is one of the key areas the Government of Sindh is focusing on. There is an enormous burden on our health sector, despite the many initiatives to address them. Our specialized areas are neglected, and the root cause for diseases like HIV and others still has more questions than answers.” He added that through conferences such as these, they hope to make this a number one priority in hospitals.

According to GALLUP report based on Pakistan Economic Survey 2015-16, in 2015, the number of hospitals was 1,167; 5,695 dispensaries; 5,464 basic health units; 733 maternity and child health centers; 675 rural health centers; and 3339 TB centers. The utilization of this infrastructure has remained low over the years due to many reasons. Pakistan only spends 0.9% of its GDP on health public sector health expenditures while total public and private sector health expenditures of GDP is 2.4%. During the past five years, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Sindh provincial assemblies have formulated and approved Punjab and Sindh Healthcare Commission Acts to enhance patient safety and minimize adverse event by registering and licensing all healthcare facilities in Pakistan.

The conference held three sessions titled ‘access to care and health literacy, patient safety culture-leadership commitment, and patient advocacy’. The sessions given by some of the most notable names in healthcare touched about the topic of challenges of disease burden and health equity in the healthcare system of Pakistan, role of regularity authority in patient-centered care, culture of safety as a performance indicator, and building patient safety in the healthcare system among others.

For more information, contact
The Indus Hospital (TIH)
C-76, Sector 31/5, Opposite Darussalam Society,
Korangi Crossing, Karachi – 75190, Pakistan
Tel: +92-21-35112709-17
Fax: +92-21-35112718
Email: crd@indushospital.org.pk
Website: http://www.indushospital.org.pk/

Karachi, December 01, 2021 (PPI-OT):It was a cold evening of January 2021 when Naureen brought her husband to the Emergency Department of the Indus Hospital. John was unconscious. Naureen was holding their newborn baby and also taking care of her ailing husband. She was scared and pleading to the doctors to save his life.

The staff admitted John on a priority basis and started conducting tests. They were simultaneously talking to Naureen and found out that John works as a cashier at a fuel station. He has been consuming alcohol and drug since the age of 15. After the initial support, John regained consciousness and once stable was sent back to home.

The next day, he visited the hospital again. After a detailed assessment, the doctors discovered that John is HIV positive. It was very difficult for the doctor to break this devastating news to the vulnerable wife. However, they took the bitter pill and told Naureen about his disease.

As expected, the wretched girl broke into tears. The doctors consoled her and told her to go through a medical checkup as there was a strong probability that John might have passed the infection on to his wife and child. Their worst nightmare came true when the tests confirmed that Naureen and her child is also positive.

Once only worried for her husband’s life, now Naureen was thinking about her and her child’s safety. The experts from the Infectious Diseases Department enrolled them in the HIV clinic and started their protocol. The doctor and counsellors started working on the family. After a long and tedious process, the family accepted that though it’s a deadly disease, however, there’s still light at the end of the tunnel and it is possible to live with HIV.

Now, John has quit drug and alcohol. His health has improved and he has started working again. Naureen and her child is also on medicine but they are hoping to live a happy life. The family is grateful to the Indus Hospital and their doctors for supporting them.

For more information, contact
The Indus Hospital (TIH)
C-76, Sector 31/5, Opposite Darussalam Society,
Korangi Crossing, Karachi – 75190, Pakistan
Tel: +92-21-35112709-17
Fax: +92-21-35112718
Email: crd@indushospital.org.pk
Website: http://www.indushospital.org.pk/

Karachi, November 29, 2021 (PPI-OT):House of Habib, Pakistan’s leading group of companies has a legacy of unmatched support in health and education in Pakistan. The Group donated for the construction of the Family Medicine and Community Health and Consulting Clinics at the new building project of the Indus Hospital and Health Network which will benefit the lives of more than 400,000 patients annually.

Speaking at the partnership signing ceremony Mr. Mohamedali R. Habib, Chairman House of Habib said, “Each year, House of Habib contributes towards institutions and events that are providing service in health and education. The work I have seen today is absolutely miraculous. I am proud of my team that they have worked with Indus on this national cause”.

Addressing Dr. Bari Mr. Habib acknowledged Dr. Bari as an inspiration for the whole country particularly for the youth of Pakistan. He also said that this is just the start and House of Habib and the family will continue to extend the cause of Indus. His views were greatly appreciated by Karim Paracha, Chairman Board of Directors, IHHN; Dr. Abdul Bari Khan, CEO, IHHN; Salim Razzak Tabani, Chairman Fundraising Committee of the BoD and other members of the IHHN leadership.

The Group was highly impressed that the grey structure has been completed of both the Hospital and the University and hope that people of Karachi and people of Pakistan will come forward to finish the project of this magnitude ahead of its stipulated timelines.

In attendance were Salman Burney, Vice Chairman (VC) – Building Products, Real Estate and Packaging, Tayyab Tareen, VC – Auto Engineering, Corporate Finance, Business Development and Strategy, Naila Kassim, Group Director, Human Resource, Tariq Khan, Group Director, Technical, Ali Jamali, CEO, Indus Motor Company and Mohsin Nathani, CEO, Habib Metro Bank. From IHHN: Mr. Abdul Karim Paracha, Chairman Board of Directors; Mr. Salim Razzak Tabani, Chairman Fundraising Committee of BoD IHHN; Dr. Shamvil Ashraf, Medical Director, IHHN; Syed, Mashhood Rizvi, Executive Director, Communication and Resource Development Directorate; Mr Shahab Akhtar, Project Director; Dr Ashar Alam, Medical Director, Indus Hospital, Korangi Campus.

For more information, contact
The Indus Hospital (TIH)
C-76, Sector 31/5, Opposite Darussalam Society,
Korangi Crossing, Karachi – 75190, Pakistan
Tel: +92-21-35112709-17
Fax: +92-21-35112718
Email: crd@indushospital.org.pk
Website: http://www.indushospital.org.pk/