Threat of a malnourished, underachieving generation of Pakistanis calls for simple accelerated actions

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Malnutrition has a lifelong effect on Pakistan’s children and adults and severe consequences for the economy, experts opined at the launch of the Global Nutrition Report 2016 and in the subsequent discussion on policy responses to the country’s nutrition crisis.

The seminar on Towards Sustainable Nutrition in Pakistan: Unlocking Barriers focused on identifying multi-sectoral interventions that could help reduce malnutrition and nurture future generations. 

The speakers called for simple accelerated actions to improve the quality of life and to meet commitments under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Goals 2 and 3 on ending hunger, and ensuring healthy lives and well being for all ages. 

“Inadequate access to nutrition in the first few years of a child’s life results in irreversible neurological and physical effects, diminished mental ability and learning capacity, increased vulnerability to deadly diseases as well as lower work productivity and earning capacity as adults,” Professor Zulfiqar Bhutta, Aga Khan University’s Founding Director of the Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health and a member of the Independent Expert Group which produced the Global Nutrition Report 2016, observed. 

“Worse, girls, who are malnourished in their early years, are more likely to give birth to underweight children meaning that these health problems have a multi-generational impact. This is why stakeholders need to focus on early, high-impact interventions and preventive strategies,” he added. 

The speakers at the event noted that many factors are contributing to Pakistan’s nutrition crisis which calls for a multi-sectoral approach to the problem. 

They noted that reaching these vulnerable people requires interventions that take into account factors such as gender, socioeconomic status and regional inequalities.

“The menu of multi-sectorial interventions is still being debated, yet to be financed and implemented in Pakistan. Lessons are particularly needed in agriculture and livestock, water and sanitation, pulling in the private sector market, single cohesive leadership and specialized technical assistance,” Dr Shehla Zaidi, Director, Graduate Programme for Health Policy and Management, AKU, commented. 

Altaf Bijarani, Secretary, Planning and Development Department, Government of Sindh, used the occasion to express the government’s commitment to root out malnutrition and stunting in the province. Findings from the Global Nutrition Report highlighted that other countries in SAARC (the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) have a faster stunting reduction rate as compared to Pakistan. 

“Malnutrition is a condition that directly affects one in three people. The economic consequences represent losses of 11 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) every year in Africa and Asia, whereas preventing malnutrition delivers $16 in returns on investment for every $1 spent. The world’s countries have agreed on targets for nutrition, but despite some progress in recent years the world is off track to reach those targets,” the report stated. 

The other speakers, in person and via video links, included Inam ul Haq and Sylvia Kauffman from the World Bank, Charlotte Dufour from the United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organization, Mahbubur Rehman from the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, and Azra Pechuho and Shahnaz Wazir Ali from the Oversight Committee on Primary Health Care and Polio, Government of Sindh. 

The event was organized by the AKU in collaboration with the Planning Commission of Pakistan, the International Food Policy Research Institute and Palladium.

Umeed-e-Nau launches maternal child health project in 14 districts

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Aga Khan University and key government officials marked the launch of a major new project aimed at improving maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health in Pakistan. 

Funded by a US$25 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Umeed-e-Nau (new hope) is a five-year project that will see AKU work with public sector programmes and primary care providers such as Lady Health Workers and Community Health Midwives to deliver proven interventions and improve the quality of care at health facilities in 14 mainly rural districts in Balochistan, Southern Punjab and Sindh, as well as urban slums in Karachi. 

The districts include Badin, Dadu, Hyderabad, Matiari, Karachi, Jafferabad, Jamshoro, Lasbela, Mirpur Khas, Muzaffargarh, Nasirabad, Qambar Shahdadkot, Rahim Yar Khan, Sanghar and Thatta. 

The project also includes a ground breaking effort to provide health education through schools for adolescent girls in Pakistan. 

“Federal and provincial governments, public and private institutions, civil society and every one of us have to team up to meet the United Nation’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030,” Professor Zulfiqar Bhutta, Founding Director of the Aga Khan University’s Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health, remarked. 

“Projects like Umeed-e-Nau can help Pakistan achieve Goal 3 for health, which also requires additional investments in improving nutrition, keeping children in schools and addressing environmental health and gender equity,” he added. 

The project will operate through a new research centre, the Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health, which will be established through a generous gift of Rs 2 billion from the Hashoo Foundation. Muhammad Ayub Shaikh, Secretary, Ministry of National Health Sciences, Regulations and Coordination, Government of Pakistan, expressed their commitment to join hands with AKU and accelerate progress. 

“Umeed-e-Nau will test a variety of approaches in an effort to develop insights and evidence that can influence policy across the country and beyond its borders. We believe that the project will reduce stillbirths and new born deaths by 20 per cent, as well as deaths from pneumonia and diarrhoea by 30 per cent through these strategies,” Professor Bhutta reckoned. 

On the occasion, a message from Dr Christopher Elias, President of the Global Development Program at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation was delivered: 

“We are proud to support Pakistan’s efforts to improve the quality and reach of health services to reduce preventable deaths and make progress toward the country’s 2030 development goals.” 

The AKU President Firoz Rasul thanked the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for its partnership and support to improve maternal and child health in Pakistan. 

“As part of its activities to support the Sustainable Development Goals, AKU has pledged to invest more than US$85 million over the next decade in support of the Global Strategy for Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health, which is designed to help achieve Goal 3 of SDGs,” President Rasul said. 

The ceremony was also attended by AKU donors, members of the Hashoo Foundation, and Dr Muhammad Usman Chachar, Secretary of Health, Government of Sindh.

Civil society leaders share strategies towards more peaceful Pakistan

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi 

(Pakistan News & Features Services) 

The experts in the field of medicine, business, the arts, and social policy highlighted a range of strategies to build peace and stability in Pakistan on the final day of the National Health Sciences Research Symposium, the Aga Khan University’s annual event on November 6. 

Neuroscience researchers and clinicians shared insights on how the mind and brain can contribute to, or take away from, individual and social peace while people from the arts and humanities narrated their efforts to introduce positive change in society and the process of overcoming challenges in their private and public lives. 

Creative arts play a vital role in human development, from rehabilitative treatments for post traumatic stress disorder after violent incidents to programmes to treat mental illnesses noted Dr Saad Shafqat, Professor of Neurology at AKU while moderating the session on Art, Music, Literature and the Mind. 

Actor and social worker Nadia Jamil described the performing arts as being one of the most empowering tools for social change. She explained how many societies were able to create powerful narratives that enabled them to unite their people and progress. 

“I wish more Muslim societies picked up the pen rather than the sword in order to change the world around us. Art helps us connect with other people’s experiences and nurtures empathy. It makes us remember what came before us and enables us to spread positive messages for social good,” she added. 

Nigeria-based psychiatrist Olayinka Omigbodun agreed about the idea of art for change. Television and theatre plays can be used to confront long standing traditions and stigmas in society and noted that the Nigerian film industry, Nollywood, is beginning to play an important role in shaping perceptions about mental health. 

Jamal Shah, actor and director, while also talking about art as a vital outlet for society, spoke about how on an individual level each person faced inherent loneliness. Only by embarking on a creative journey can one fill this void and as one becomes self-aware the creativity that results can have an impact on the community and the world around them. 

In another session on Mindfulness, Spirituality and the Human Condition, mental health experts discussed how to heal wounds in society. David Arthur, Dean of the School of Nursing and Midwifery at AKU, spoke of the soothing impact that spirituality can have on the soul. 

Dr Arthur mentioned that techniques such as mindfulness, the practice of making oneself aware of the present instead of being worried about the past and the future, can be very beneficial. 

“Don’t always be in a hurry. Be interested in every interaction and truly live in the moment. When you do this you’ll notice that everything you do is more enriching. We should all focus on experiencing the moment,” he observed. 

Consultant psychiatrist Sarah Eager, from the UK, agreed with Dr Arthur and mentioned the negative influence of stress in society on our individual well being. 

“We should try to return to the silence and peace prior to the stressful moment. People also tend to be very critical of themselves and others which is very harmful to society. Instead we should focus on being compassionate to ourselves and each other,” she remarked. 

In the session on Psychopathology of Violence and Terrorism, Dr Murad Khan, Professor of Psychiatry at AKU and moderator of the session, noted that violent incidents and terrorist attacks in Pakistan has led to many people being exposed to trauma and many families having to cope with the consequences of violence with little recourse to help. 

Social activist Jibran Nasir noted that Pakistani society, over time, has become more violent and intolerant. Conflicts over political ideology, religious doctrine and regional separatism have spilled over into public space with the result that people have become increasingly concerned about their own safety and more indifferent to the plight of others. 

He stressed the importance of speaking out against injustice and of continuing the mission of those who had been silenced by violence. When asked whether everyone should pursue political change through activism, he replied: 

“Be a good citizen first by paying your taxes and by abiding by the law. There is room for everyone to contribute to society but remember that society needs all kinds of people to prosper. Everyone shouldn’t aspire to becoming a political activist but they should do as much as they can to improve what is around them.” 

At the conclusion of the conference, Dr Ayesha Mian, Chair of the Department of Psychiatry at AKU said: “We’ve brought together experts from around the world to share their scientific and medical expertise. Sessions throughout the conference have led to new ideas and much excitement about the field of neuroscience which is important not only to every person’s health but has insights that can impact society as a whole.”

Breakthroughs in artificial intelligence set to help Pakistani doctors, neuroscience researchers and IT experts

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The application of revolutionary computer models to complex problems in neuroscience, the study of the mind, brain and nervous system, is making a range of scientific and medical breakthroughs possible, said experts at the National Health Sciences Research Symposium, the Aga Khan University’s annual event on November 5.

Computer simulations and algorithms have enabled researchers to emulate the complex electrochemistry of the brain. 

This has resulted in new insights into mental disorders such as epilepsy, which affects 2 million people in Pakistan, and a range of medical innovations that is enabling children, who were born deaf, to hear for the first time and soldiers, who lost arms and legs in war, to control robotic limbs with their minds. 

These were some of the discussions at the three-day conference, Mind and Brain: Neuroscience Today and Tomorrow, that saw specialists from around the world share scientific achievements and advances in treatment in neurology, neurosurgery and psychiatry. 

Speaking about the importance of neuroscience research, Dr Saad Shafqat, Professor of Neurology at AKU, said: “The human brain and its enigmatic product, the mind, are at the core of human identity, intelligence, character and personality. Together, their activity determines what it means to be human.” 

“Diseases of the brain and mind such as epilepsy, stroke, depression and schizophrenia are devastating as they alter the person as we know them. Just as studies in the 1990s on clot-busting drugs revolutionised stroke treatment, we hope the research and clinical insights shared today will lead to changes in treatment for mental, neurological and neurosurgical illnesses in Pakistan,” he added. 

Dr Ali Minai, Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Systems at the University of Cinncinati, USA, a keynote speaker at the conference, spoke about how both the brain and the computer are complex systems that use electrical activity to process information. 

“Insights from the brain are already expanding the frontiers of medical and scientific knowledge. The future is even more promising as the creation of artificial intelligence or ‘learning computers’ can be used to augment our bodies for a wide variety of uses from entertainment to education and even applications related to security,” he observed. 

Knowledge sharing through workshops at the conference enabled medical researchers and practitioners to share the latest advances in the treatment of diseases and to discuss steps that government and civil society can take to make Pakistan a more accepting society for those suffering from neurological and psychiatric disorders. 

Dr Fowzia Siddiqui, a leading epilepsy researcher based at AKU, spoke out about the centuries-old myth about epilepsy, still widely believed in Pakistan, that epileptics are ‘possessed’ by supernatural forces and so to be shunned or feared. 

She pointed out that research has shown that only 2 out of 100 people in rural areas and less than 3 out of 10 epileptics in urban settlements are taking any medicine to control their disorder. Alarmingly, international studies estimate that 80 per cent of epileptics living in developing countries still remain untreated. 

“Once the family decides that epilepsy is not an illness, they either ignore the problem or take patients to quacks or faith healers. This is unfortunate as we know that 70 per cent of epilepsy cases are well-controlled with medication. Encouragingly, the presence of new devices and surgical techniques promise an even better future for many more epileptics,” she reckoned. 

Reinforcing the message, Dr Ayesha Mian, Chair of the Department of Psychiatry at AKU, said: “Patients suffering from mental illnesses are often stereotyped as being violent, lazy or ‘possessed’. We need to stop being afraid of the symptoms and effects of mental illness and instead focus on raising awareness about the wide range of therapies and treatments available for common psychiatric disorders.” 

Professor Olayinka Omigbodun, a leading psychiatrist from Nigeria, agreed and suggested that awareness has to be complemented by advocacy, sharing her experiences of overcoming obstacles in promoting the need for improved mental health services for children. 

The conference was preceded by a day of workshops in which experts from the UK, US, Lebanon, Tunisia, Austria, Nigeria, Spain and Pakistan shared their expertise in neurosurgery, psychiatry and neurology with over 500 people in attendance.

PSQCA, NED University enter into agreement

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Pakistan Standard Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) and the NED University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi, have entered into an agreement which will provide for creating an awareness and education programme on standardization. 

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in this regard was signed between the Director General of the PSQCA M. Khalid Siddiq, and the Vice-Chancellor of the NED University, Prof Dr M Afzal Haque. 

Under the agreement both the PSQCA and the NED University will collaborate with each other in creating an awareness and education programme on standardization, standards and their role in profession and academia at Karachi.

Dr Gazan Bozai covers technical capabilities, soft skills and managerial actions in unique lecture

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The civil engineering department of the Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET), Karachi, striving hard for the promotion of intellectual and indigenous seminars and forums related particularly in industrial terms, organized a guest lecture entitled ‘Importance of soft skills and emotional intelligence for technical professional’ on October 31.

The lecture was delivered by Dr Gazan Bozai, CEO, Soft Skills Development Institute International (SSDII), USA, and it was attended by a large number of faculty members from the civil engineering department. 

Dr Gazan Bozai, having graduated in civil engineering from the NED University of Engineering & Technology, Karachi, before doing Masters of Science and PhD from Auburn University, USA, has worked in the capacity of development and deployment of leadership training and coaching programs for the C-level and key executives. 

The lecture was designed in a way to prepare the engineers, integrating the engineering issues with soft skills. The idea was demonstrated by presenting various practices as an example keeping in mind the lack of patience among the practitioners. 

Brainstorming ideas were shared in the lecture in order to create a balance between the assigned tasks of an individual, technical expertise, management perspective and more on the side of emotional acuity of a person. 

According to his lecture, the emotional support of a personality is more important rather than IQ concerns. The complete lecture was much valuable and interesting for the listeners. 

In the programme, the SSUET Dean Engineering, Prof Dr S M Makhdumi, appreciated the efforts of the speaker and his profound lecture. 

He expressed gratitude to the worthy speaker as these types of informative lectures were of great importance for field and academics as well. 

According to him, the lecture was somehow different from technical lecture as it was a blend of technical capabilities, soft skills and managerial actions taken by professionals.

SSUET trials for HEC Games commence

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News &  Features Services)

The 10-day long trials for selection of teams for the Higher Education Commission (HEC) Games started at the Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET), Karachi, on November 2.

The SSUET will be selecting 14 teams including those of cricket, football, hockey, volleyball and basketball. 

These teams will play in the HEC Games, scheduled to start from December 2016 at different venues of various universities all over Pakistan. 

The trials for selection of the SSUET teams are being organized by the SSUET’s sports department. 

The Director Sports, SSUET, Mubbashir Mukhtar, informed that the trials will help find out new talents to replace those who passed out after completion of their studies. He said that about 1,200 to 1,500 students will be participating in trials for 14 to 16 different disciplines.

The SSUET has shown good performance in sports competitions. 

During 2016 the university has won bronze medal in Judo, Silver in Boxing and three Bronze while won tournaments in cricket and football at universities level. 

Meanwhile, the Registrar SSSUET, Syed Sarfraz Ali, along with Director Sports Mubbbashir Mukhtar, witnessed the students participating in the trials. 

The Registrar was quite impressed with the performance of students and expressed the confidence that the university will be able to raise good teams through talent hunt, competent enough to bring laurels for the university in upcoming sports events. 

He reckoned that the SSUET’s sports department was making commendable efforts to boost the university’s image through sports.

SSUET staffers earn ISO certification

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Around 20 employees of the Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET), Karachi, which included both faculty and non-faculty staff, were awarded ISO-9001:2015 Internal Auditor Certificates at a ceremony held in the newly renovated conference room of the university. 

The ceremony was organized by the University's procurement department for the recipients of the certificate who participated in the 3-day ISO 9001:2015 Internal Auditor programme held under the supervision of Total Quality Certification Services International (Pakistan), led by Riaz Wasaya, CEO TQCSI as well as programme trainer. 

Presenting the certificates to recipients the SSUET Chancellor, Jawaid Anwar, under scored the importance of such programmes which, he observed, play an important role in the field of education. 

He announced that the university will continue to hold such type of programs in future as well. The Chancellor said that since the programme related to quality management system, the university would like to have far better quality management system so as to bring it at par with organizations having top class quality management systems. 

He said that the university has already implemented ISO 9001 Quality Management System which is working so efficiently. 

Earlier Riaz Wasaya, the CEO TQSCI and Programme trainer stressed on organizing more similar type of programs like Lead Auditor, Health and Safety programs. 

The ceremony ended with vote of thanks proposed by the SSUET Registrar, Syed Sarfraz Ali, who too endorsed the proposal for organizing such programs on frequent basis.

Walk for breast cancer awareness at AKUH

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

With approximately 40,000 deaths and 90,000 new cases every year, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in Pakistan. The number of deaths can be reduced significantly with early detection and treatment, the participating experts at a walk to mark the Breast Cancer Awareness Month at the Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) reckoned.

The walk was part of a series of events organized by the AKUH to raise awareness for an early detection of the disease. Clad in pink, the walk was attended by men and women, patients, survivors, breast surgeons, medical and radiation oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, nurses and the general public. 

“Breast cancer is an uncontrollable growth of abnormal cells in breast tissue. These cells can form a tumor that may be seen on a screening mammogram and ultrasound scan even before they can be felt as a lump. Currently, medical science doesn’t know exactly what causes the disease, therefore, early detection remains the cornerstone of breast cancer control,” Dr Adnan Jabbar, an assistant professor and section head of medical oncology at the Aga Khan University (AKU), observed. 

 “Although breast self-examination has limitations, it can be the first step to examine any developments in the breast, e.g., a new lump, swelling, an unusual pain or any change in the size, shape or skin of the breast. Such changes should be reported to a health professional immediately,” he said. 

“Since the disease is increasing among young women in the country, women in their 20s and 30s should have a clinical breast exam at least every three years. After 40 years, they should have a breast exam and mammograms by a health professional every year. Doctors may also recommend breast ultrasound, MRI or biopsy, if needed,” he added. 

Dr Shaista Khan, a professor of surgery at AKU, warned that women were at greater risk than men. Key risk factors could be overweight, old age and the disease in the family. 

“Women diagnosed with breast cancer can live healthy lives given the disease is diagnosed and treated timely. Treatment for early breast cancer usually involves surgery only or some combination of surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. The AKUH’s Patient Welfare Programme and Patients’ Behbud Society for AKUH provide financial assistance to women who are fighting breast cancer and need support,” she highlighted. 

While sharing her experiences, a survivor commented: “I am a proud mother, a wife and a breast cancer survivor. I am here to support those who are fighting the disease. Activities like this are always inspirational”. 

The AKUH’s CEO, Hans Kedzierski, was also dressed in pink to show solidarity with breast cancer patients and survivors. 

“We at the AKUH have successfully established a breast cancer team, a multidisciplinary group of specialists, that offers comprehensive care under one roof – an advantage for our patients,” he said. 

Other activities of the Breast Cancer Awareness Month included marking pink Fridays by wearing pink clothes or accessories, and organizing awareness sessions at AKUH as well as at educational and corporate institutions in the city.

KPT-Bahria University agreement signed

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Karachi Port Trust (KPT) has signed an agreement with the National Centre of Maritime Policy Research (NCMPR), Bahria University Campus, Karachi at a ceremony held at KPT Head Office. 

The agreement is aimed at establishing the KPT Chair for cooperation enhancement and interaction between academia and the Maritime Industry of Pakistan. The agreement was signed by the Chairman, KPT, Vice-Admiral (Rtd) Shafqat Jawed and the Rector, Bahria University, Vice-Admiral (Rtd) Tanveer Faiz. 

Speaking on the occasion, the KPT Chairman, while unveiling the objectives, highlighted the existing gap resulting in creation of increased demand for skilled human resources in Pakistani Ports and Shipping sector. 

The establishment of chair, he observed, will fill the gap in due course as professionals and skilled human resources will be available for undertaking maritime projects within the country and pave the way for maritime education as well thus opening avenues for research and innovation to meet the emerging demands of port operations while using maritime expertise and international standards. 

He stressed on linking KPT Staff College with the Chair to establish further linkages with the international/national institutes of maritime industry. 

He said that the materialization of the project will result in benefiting the KPT through focused research for future expansions and efficient port operations as the maritime sector is gradually growing in Pakistan. 

On the occasion momentos were also exchanged. The ceremony was well attended by top management officials of KPT and the NCMPR besides Director General NCMPR Vice Admiral (Rtd) K G Hussain.