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ARY NEWS

Jahangir Khan

  • PMDC to ‘inspect’ medical and dental colleges across Pakistan

    PMDC to ‘inspect’ medical and dental colleges across Pakistan

    ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has ‘decided’ to conduct inspections of all medical and dental colleges across the country, ARY News reported on Tuesday, citing sources.

    As per details, the government has directed Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) will carry out the inspections, covering both public and private sector institutions.

    According to sources, master trainers have been fully trained to oversee the process and will now train inspectors for on-ground evaluations.

    During the inspections, college standards, infrastructure, and faculty quality will be assessed. However, non-compliant institutions will not face immediate penalties. Instead, they will be given a six-month grace period to improve their standards.

    The admission process at institutions will not be suspended, and substandard colleges will be given an opportunity to enhance their facilities before facing any action, health ministry sources confirmed.

    Read more: PMDC ‘bans’ fee collection by medical colleges

    Last month, the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) reportedly banned the collection of fees by private medical and dental colleges.

    The PMDC sent a notice to the institutions to avoid collecting fees following a recommendation by the Senate Committee. The Senate’s Health Sub-Committee had advised the suspension of fee collection.

    A ban was imposed on fee collection until the Medical Education Committee submits its recommendations. This committee, headed by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, was formed by the Prime Minister to review the situation.

    The committee is currently evaluating the standards and issues faced by private medical universities and colleges. Over the past five years, private medical colleges have been collecting over Rs15 million in fees, the sources said.

  • DRAP recalls batch of THIS medicine

    DRAP recalls batch of THIS medicine

    ISLAMABAD: The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has suspended the use of Mirzpan Suspension and imposed a ban on its supply and sale, ARY News reported.

    According to details, after the discovery of the supply of counterfeit antibiotics in Balochistan, DRAP issued a product recall alert for fake Mirzpan Suspension.

    In the alert, DRAP confirmed that the drug testing lab in Quetta had declared batch 007 of Mirzpan as counterfeit.

    The DRAP has prohibited the use of Mirzpan Suspension and imposed a ban on the supply and sale of 100 mg packs.

    DRAP stated that the sample did not pass the quality test standards, and the presence of Cefixime salt could not be verified.

    Read More: DRAP seizes unregistered, counterfeit medicines

    The 100 mg pack contained fabricated details, while the 5 ml pack listed Miraaz Pharma, Kasur as the manufacturer, with a fake registration number on the sample’s packaging.

    The alert emphasised that the use of counterfeit antibiotics could be dangerous for patients. The field force has been directed to seize the fake Mizpan Suspension batch from the market.

    DRAP has instructed the field force and provincial drug control authorities to increase market surveillance, and the Balochistan government has been urged to identify suppliers of counterfeit drugs.

    The alert also advised distributors to check their stock for fake medicines and report the affected batch to DRAP. Doctors and patients have been advised not to use the counterfeit suspension.

  • President Asif Ali Zardari visits National Aerospace Science and Technology Park

    President Asif Ali Zardari visits National Aerospace Science and Technology Park

    President Asif Ali Zardari visited the National Aerospace Science & Technology Park (NASTP), a flagship project spearheaded by Pakistan Air Force.

    During the visit, the President was briefed in detail regarding various set-ups established at NASTP. Declaring NASTP a major landmark in PAF’s journey towards progress, the Chief of the Air Staff was also present on the occasion.

    Asif Ali Zardari that the project is of national importance, poised to form basis of knowledge and technology-based economy in Pakistan. NASTP aims to bridge the gap by seamlessly fusing private and public sector enterprises in Space, Cyber, IT, Artificial Intelligence & Aerospace domains.

    It was emphasized that the National Aerospace Science & Technology Park is all set to become one of the best Aerospace, Cyber & IT clusters in the world and will transform the national landscape with design, R&D and innovation centres for emerging and disruptive technologies to foster research, innovation and development in related technologies.

    This endeavour will for sure maximise social, economic, security and scientific dividends for the country.

    Read more: PAF chief visits IDEAS 2024 at Karachi Expo Centre

    The President Asif Ali Zardari lauded PAF, and its skilled personnel and conveyed his admiration for the state-of-the-art technological ecosystem witnessed during his visit to the National Aerospace Science & Technology Park which will serve as a beacon of innovation to promote futuristic aerospace and aviation capabilities.

    He also commended Pakistan Air Force’s leadership for the vision and proactive approach towards addressing modern warfare challenges and completing this project of national strategic importance in an unprecedented time frame.

    The National Aerospace Science and Technology Park will play a pivotal role in shaping the country’s aerospace industry, fostering strategic partnerships and contributing to the economic growth of Pakistan.

    The visit of the President of Pakistan to the National Aerospace Science & Technology Park is a testament to the success of this mega project and highlights the unwavering dedication of the Pakistan Air Force in promoting an environment of research and development in the country.

  • Pakistan to ‘launch’ anti-polio campaign next month

    Pakistan to ‘launch’ anti-polio campaign next month

    ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will ‘launch’ first nationwide anti-polio campaign of 2025 from next month, ARY News reported on Monday, citing sources.

    As per details, the anti-polio drive will be launched from February 3 to 9. It will target over 4.54 million children across the country.

    Sources privy to the development said that a three-day campaign with two additional catch-up days will be carried out in general areas of the country.

    A five-day campaign followed by two catch-up days, featuring community-based vaccinations and deployment of special mobile teams in the sensitive areas, sources within NEOC said.
    Over 450,000 workers will be mobilized for the effort.

    In 2024, Pakistan reported 73 polio cases and collected over 480 polio-positive sewage samples nationwide, underscoring the critical need for comprehensive vaccination campaigns.

    Read more: Polio virus detected in sewage samples from Sindh districts

    Earlier, the Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health (NIH) confirmed the detection of the wild poliovirus case type 1 (WPV1) in the country.

    Polio

    Polio is a paralyzing disease that has no cure. Multiple doses of the oral polio vaccine and completion of the routine vaccination schedule for all children under the age of five is essential to provide children high immunity against this terrible disease.

    The Pakistan Polio Program conducts multiple mass vaccination drives in a year, bringing the vaccine to children at their doorsteps, while the Expanded Program on Immunization provides vaccinations against 12 childhood disease free of charge at health facilities.

    The year’s first Polio vaccination campaign is scheduled to be conducted nationwide from February 3- 9, 2025.

    It is crucial for parents to ensure vaccination for all their children under the age of five to keep them protected.

  • PPP ‘unhappy’ with PML-N over no-consultation on key matters

    PPP ‘unhappy’ with PML-N over no-consultation on key matters

    ISLAMABAD: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), a major coalition party in the centre, is ‘unhappy’ with Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government for ‘consistently side lining’ them in key matters, ARY News reported on Wednesday, citing sources.

    Pakistan People’s Party has been complaining about neglecting their lawmakers in Punjab and in the centre and the recent canal issue has further heated the matters between both the parties.

    The recent disruption of quorum in the National Assembly was reportedly a deliberate move by the PPP to convey its dissatisfaction. Party insiders claim that the PPP leadership is frustrated by the lack of consultation on significant national issues.

    A major point of contention is the decision to draw a link canal from the Indus River, a move that has raised serious concerns within the PPP.

    Sources indicate that the party is prepared to explore all possible options to oppose the project.

    Read more: PPP, PTI’s jointly planned to ‘break’ National Assembly quorum

    The PPP leadership has expressed a desire to meet with the Prime Minister to address these grievances. Reports suggest that PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto is expected to hold key meetings in Islamabad later this week.

    Earlier it emerged that Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) jointly planned to ‘disrupt’ National Assembly quorum during the ongoing session.

    According to sources, the disruption of quorum in yesterday’s National Assembly session, was orchestrated through a collaboration between the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

    The plan to break the quorum was a joint effort between PPP and PTI, the sources knowing the matter said and added on the instructions of Pakistan People’s Party, PTI ended its protest and pointed out the lack of quorum, which led to the collective decision to walk out of the House.

  • PPP, PTI’s jointly planned to ‘break’ National Assembly quorum

    PPP, PTI’s jointly planned to ‘break’ National Assembly quorum

    ISLAMABAD: In a surprise move, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) jointly planned to ‘disrupt’ National Assembly quorum during the ongoing session, ARY News reported, citing sources.

    According to sources, the disruption of quorum in yesterday’s National Assembly session, was orchestrated through a collaboration between the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

    The plan to break the quorum was a joint effort between PPP and PTI, the sources knowing the matter said and added on the instructions of Pakistan People’s Party, PTI ended its protest and pointed out the lack of quorum, which led to the collective decision to walk out of the House.

    Sources further revealed that PPP had already decided to challenge the quorum before the session began and consulted PTI. Agha Rafiullah, representing Pakistan People’s Party, had discussions with PTI on this strategy.

    Read more: PPP blasts PML-N govt on constitution of maritime body

    Prior to the session, Agha Rafiullah informed the party’s Members of National Assembly (MNAs) about the decision.

    PPP leadership had instructed their MNAs to leave the House under any circumstances, with disciplinary action threatened against those who refused. To ensure coordination, PPP provided a briefing to its MNAs in the lobby about the quorum issue.

    Pakistan People’s Party leadership has also reportedly lauded Agha Rafiullah for the successful execution of the plan.

  • PIMS gets state of the art operation theatres

    PIMS gets state of the art operation theatres

    Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) has achieved a significant milestone by completing the construction of state of the art modular operation theatres, ARY News reported on Monday, citing NIH sources.

    Following the upgradation of the operation threatres, PIMs has become the first government medical facility in the country to have modular operation theatres.

    A total of seven modular operation theatres have been established at PIMS, according to sources from the Ministry of Health. These theatres are equipped with the latest medical technologies and facilities, ensuring a high standard of care.

    The project, which cost Rs1.4 billion, was funded to enhance the hospital’s surgical capabilities. The modular theatres were imported from Germany and are designed to be easily relocated from one place to another.

    In addition to advanced sterilization units, these theatres are equipped with audio-video recording systems, allowing for precise monitoring of surgeries.

    Read more: PIMS, other hospitals to be ‘handed over’ to Islamabad administration

    They also have backup batteries to function during power outages and are designed with a temperature control system for medical gases.

    The new operation theatres also feature wireless cameras that assist during surgeries, further enhancing the precision of medical procedures.

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif  is scheduled to inaugurate the modular operation theatres at PIMS later this week.

    Established in 1985, the PIMS includes three semi-autonomous hospitals including the Islamabad Hospital (IH) which is a 592-bed hospital spread over 3.5 hectares, the 230 Bedded Children’s Hospital spread over 1.6 hectares specializing in pediatric care and the 125 bedded Maternal & Child Health Care Centrel which specializes in obstetrics and gynaecology.

  • Govt makes registration mandatory for medical students going abroad

    Govt makes registration mandatory for medical students going abroad

    ISLAMABAD: The federal government has decided to make registration mandatory for medical students going abroad for studies, ARY News reported citing sources.

    The registration will be compulsory for students going abroad for MBBS and BDS studies, the sources said that the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) will register students going abroad.

    No medical student of Pakistan nwill be allowed to go abroad without PMDC registration. The registration process will be facilitated through the PMDC website.

    The decision aims to ensure the protection of Pakistani medical students going abroad and to facilitate their admission to recognized foreign medical colleges. In 2024, several incidents of violence against Pakistani students in Kyrgyzstan were reported, highlighting the need for greater oversight and protection.

    The registration will also help ensure that students receive quality education abroad. Currently, thousands of Pakistani students are studying in foreign medical colleges, particularly in China, Cuba, and Central Asian countries.

    Earlier, the National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee on National Health Services, Regulation, and Coordination emphasised the need for transparency, fairness, and equity in the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT).

    The meeting of the NA body was held with Dr. Mahesh Kumar Malani in the chair.

    Read more: MDCAT 2024: Only 10 Karachi students rank in top 100 of final results

    During the meeting, a single and nationwide curriculum was proposed to address regional disparities in education and ensure a level playing field for all students.

    Final decisions on this and other reforms will follow further legal reviews and stakeholder consultations.

    Concerns about out-of-syllabus questions in recent exams were discussed, with the committee recommending greater accuracy in question papers to avoid post-exam corrections. A revised answer key had previously addressed students’ grievances about deleted questions.

  • ‘Over 1.1mn children left unvaccinated in Pakistan’s 2024 anti-polio drive’

    ‘Over 1.1mn children left unvaccinated in Pakistan’s 2024 anti-polio drive’

    ISLAMABAD: The final sub-national polio campaign in Pakistan for the year 2024 has not reached its intended target and a total of 1,122,537 children remained unvaccinated, ARY News reported citing sources.

    The campaign primarily aimed to vaccinate 36,360,037 children, but only 35,712,922 children were successfully vaccinated which indicates that 98 per cent of the vaccination target was achieved, the sources said.

    They added 739,201 children were not available for vaccination during the polio campaign in Pakistan while 71,330 parents refused to allow their children to receive the vaccine.

    The sources said that in total, the sub-national campaign left 302,006 children unvaccinated.

    Read also: Polio vaccination must for Pakistani nationals traveling to THIS country

    However, the campaign saw success in Gilgit-Baltistan and Islamabad, where 100 per cent of children received the polio vaccine.

    In Punjab, Sindh, and Balochistan, vaccination rates reached 99 per cent, while Azad Kashmir managed to vaccinate 98 per cent of its children. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa recorded the lowest vaccination rate at 95 per cent.

    Read also: Poliovirus detected in environmental samples of 26 districts

    According to province-wise breakup quoted by sources, 178,406 children in Punjab, 94,229 in Sindh, 342,513 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and 60,588 and 28,705 in Baluchistan children under age of 5 years remained unvaccinated during the anti-polio campaign.

    Additionally, during the campaign in Azad Kashmir, 4,103 children were also unvaccinated.

    It is keep in view that the 2024 final sub-national polio campaign was conducted in two phases: the first phase took place from December 16 to 22, while the second phase ran from December 30 to January 5.

    The campaign was executed in a total of 143 districts and 7,396 union councils.

  • Ishaq Dar meets Zardari, Bilawal in high level meeting

    Ishaq Dar meets Zardari, Bilawal in high level meeting

    ISLAMABAD: There has been a high-level contact between the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), ARY News reported.

    According to reports, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar met with PPP leadership, and the meeting also included President Asif Ali Zardari and Bilawal Bhutto, according to sources. The meeting took place at the President House.

    Sources indicate that the discussions between the two parties are yet to reach a conclusion, with the Punjab power-sharing formula being a major point of contention.

    PML-N has reportedly requested until the second week of January for further consultation on the matter.

    While, the PPP leadership has demanded full implementation of the written agreement with the Deputy PM, sources say.

    The ongoing negotiations between PML-N and PPP are focused on addressing PPP’s demands and concerns, including the key points of the Punjab power-sharing formula.

    In response, Ishaq Dar assured PPP leadership that their concerns would be addressed, sources revealed.

    Read More: PPP ‘tasks’ party leaders to expose govt’s flawed policies

    Earlier, PPP instructed its central and provincial leaders to openly criticize the government’s policies in Punjab and at federal level.

    According to party sources, the PPP leadership has provided guidelines to its leaders to expose the government’s flawed policies.

    Sources revealed that the party has emphasized that silence on the government’s wrong policies would be tantamount to supporting them. PPP leaders had previously expressed their reservations about the government’s policies to the party leadership. The party has now decided to take a more aggressive stance against the government’s decisions.

    PPP has made it clear that it will not tolerate the government’s wrong policies and will continue to speak out against them, sources revealed.

    Earlier, PPP MNA Abdul Qadir Patel expressed concern over the internet speed in Pakistan and questioned the authorities about the type of firewall being used that is hindering internet access.