Dewan launches Daehan Shehzore at an spectacular ceremony

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal has said that Pakistan is fast coming back on its real economic track and would be looking at its future in the year 2018 when its GDB will be close to 6 percent as against 5.3 percent in 2017. 

He was speaking as chief guest at the grand launch of Shehzor truck, the most popular light commercial vehicle produced in the automotive history of Pakistan with over 50,000 units in operation.

Shehzore has become the generic name for pickups in the country, Dewan Muhammad Yousuf Farooqui, Chairman, Yousuf Dewan Motor Company remarked in his welcome speech at the launch of Daehan Shehzore at the Mohatta Palace Museum on February 25.

Ahsan Iqbal recalled that there was a time when big industrialists and businessmen would be speaking about relocating their industries and concerns to Canada and Dubai and smaller ones to Lahore but today they are coming back to Karachi and Pakistan because of the peaceful conditions and positive investment climate here. 

He said that today international media including Economist and Finance Times are describing Pakistan as the fast emerging economic nation more because of much peaceful conditions today when present government responded stubbornly and cleared our territories of terrorists and subversive elements because of sacrifices of the armed forces and the nation. 

He recalled when the country faced acute power crisis just 5 years back and within four years of this regime, there is a turn around and Pakistan is rising and brought back on the world's economic map. He said in four years the government added 11000 MW of electricity to the national grid and constructed a record number of highways and motorways.

He informed that at present the government is constructing 1600 KM of motorways and will have 2200 KM of motorways by 2019 as against 1400 KM in India. 

"Time has come now to focus on the prosperity of our people and future economic boom", the Minister stated adding that now it is for our entrepreneurs to take advantage of infrastructure developed and they have the potential for this. 

He pointed out that with the steps being taken by this government Pakistan will be among the top 20 world economies by 2025 and top 10 by 2030 provided the country maintained the continuity of economic development with political stability.

Ahsan Iqbal while referring to the development of automotive industry assured of his government's all out support and cooperation for the industry and hoped that all the business groups of Pakistan will make fast advancement to achieve the desired objectives.

“The government through the Automotive Policy is fully committed to extending full support to the local automotive industry of Pakistan. The policy has already attracted significant investment of over US$ 800 million,” he observed while congratulating Dewan Yousuf and his team for their relentless efforts to revive their automotive assembly plant.

Earlier in his speech, Dewan Mohammed Yusuf Farooqui, Chairman Yusuf Dewan Motor Company said that reproduction of Shehzo was made made possible by the acquisition of Brownfield status from the Ministry of Industries and Production, a landmark achievement.

He said our collaborators the JVA and Kolao Group will help us keep our promise of delivering only the best quality vehicles to our trusted customers as we stay committed to contributing our best to our motherland’s socio-economic development.

He described th day as the most special day of his life and Dewan Group.

Speaking on the occasion, Oh Sei Young, Chairman, Kolao Group, and the joint venture partner in Daehan-Dewan Motor Company, expressed the confidence that the Daehan Shehzore pickup will achieve the desired results.

He assured that the Kolao Group will consistently provide total support to the JVA in achieving the mutual objective of regaining market leadership in its segment.

“The government through the Automotive Policy is fully committed to extending full support to the local automotive industry of Pakistan.

The policy has already attracted significant investment of over US$ 800 million,” he observed while congratulating Dewan Yousuf and his team for their relentless efforts to revive their automotive assembly plant.

It may be recalled that Yousuf Dewan Companies, one of Pakistan’s most prominent business houses, had entered into a joint venture with the Kolao Group of South Korea in April 2016.

The new joint venture, Daehan-Dewan Motor Company, unveiled Daehan Shehzore, setting up its automobile assembly plant in Sujawal.

The launching ceremony at the Mohatta Palace was nothing short of spectacular. The cultural programme, featuring performances by the local as well as the South Korean artists, followed by the musical concert provided glamour to the evening at the most historical of venues.

UNICEF, AKU embark on National Nutrition Survey

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

A country-wide survey to collect information on the nutritional status of women and children, food security and household water quality is about to begin under a joint collaboration between the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, the Aga Khan University and UNICEF. 

For the first time, the 2018 National Nutrition Survey (NNS) will collect data at the district rather than provincial level, providing targeted insights about the areas that face the greatest nutrition challenges besides barriers to adequate food intake and nutrition-related health status, according to speakers at the NNS launch ceremony at the Aga Khan University on February 12. 

The NNS will also see researchers analyse the country’s progress in nutrition since 2011, the year of the previous survey which found that more than half of all households in Pakistan suffer from food insecurity, in other words are hungry or face the threat of hunger. 

The 2011 survey also found that 44 per cent of children are stunted, too short for their age, and noted that the indicators of mother and child nutrition had not improved in the decade leading up to 2011. The study will see information gathered from 115,500 households, with field teams going door-to-door in villages, towns and cities across the country. 

The data to be collected includes blood and urine samples which will highlight the presence of key minerals for growth and good health; height and weight measurements to detect development delays; and an assessment of the state of household drinking water quality and sanitation facilities which can cause illness and malnutrition. 

Field teams will also collect information on household income, gender empowerment, education levels, and breastfeeding practices which are known to have an impact on nutrition indicators. 

“Poor nutrition in the crucial early years of a child’s life triggers irreversible mental and physical defects that have a lifelong impact on a child’s productivity, immunity against disease and earning capacity as an adult,” Dr Atif Habib, assistant professor in the department of paediatrics and child health at AKU, remarked. 

“Malnutrition also has a vicious, multi-generational impact since malnourished mothers are more likely to have underweight children. This survey will analyse Pakistan’s progress on a variety of fronts that influence nutrition and will enable us to design targeted interventions to boost the health of our young women and children,” he added. 

UNICEF’s Field Office Chief, Sindh, Cristina Brugiolo noted that insights from the survey would help Pakistan develop evidence-based initiatives to achieve targets under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals which call on countries to end all forms of malnutrition by 2030 and to address the causes of preventable deaths in newborns and children. 

“Good nutrition lays the foundation for healthy, thriving and productive communities and nations. The scale of the nutrition problem in the country necessitates the need for regular monitoring. Findings from the National Nutrition Survey will show provincial and federal governments where they can make the quickest and highest-impact gains. UNICEF is happy to share how such programmes can be scaled up,” she added. 

The fndings from the survey are also expected to shed light on the impact of the 2011 decision to devolve responsibility for health from federal to provincial governments. 

Dr Baseer Achakzai, director of nutrition at the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, said that the 2018 survey would be the largest such survey in the country. 

He added the findings of the survey would help the government of Pakistan to assess how the country’s nutrition indicators have changed following the introduction of provincial nutrition support programmes and in light of other social safety net schemes such as the Benazir Income Support Programme and other province-level initiatives. 

The data collection phase of the survey is expected to take eight months with stakeholders gathering to assess the data at monthly intervals. 

The Pakistan Bureau of Statistics and the Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources are also acting as technical partners on the National Nutrition Survey.

The other speakers at the event included Dr Salman Kirmani, chair of the department of paediatrics at AKU, Dr Sher Baz from the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination; Dr Iftikhar Mallah from the Sindh health department, and Dr Naveed Bhutto from the Sindh Nutrition Support Programme.

Canadian, Pakistani researchers collaborate on molecular research

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

New research into the molecular structure and genetic make-up of tumours is enabling more targeted cancer treatment, said experts attending the 3rd Annual Surgical Meeting Surgical Oncology-Evidence and Practice at Aga Khan University.

Molecular analysis of brain tissue is revealing the distinctive ‘signature’ of tumours that are otherwise of a similar type and stage, according to speakers who noted that a partnership between Pakistani and Canadian researchers is resulting in the transfer of knowledge and skills stemming from this novel research. 

The faculty from Aga Khan University is currently working with researchers on the tumour boards of the Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto, Canada, to explore how these molecular insights can enhance the treatment of complicated cases of brain cancer. 

“Insights from molecular biology are helping oncologists select the most suitable course of cancer treatment and more accurately predict the response to targeted therapy. This will ensure optimal treatment for each tumour and a longer, better quality of life for each patient,” Dr Shahzad Shamim, an associate professor at AKU’s department of surgery, said. 

The experts from 14 countries around the world gathered at the two-day multidisciplinary conference to explore the latest developments in cancer surgery, diagnostic, pathology and treatment. 

The sessions at the conference also highlighted innovations in reconstructive surgery which were helping restore the function of organs affected by the spread of cancer. 

The speakers noted that techniques such as intra-operative monitoring enabled surgeons to stimulate parts of the spine to quickly and painlessly detect areas that can be reconstructed. This means that damaged areas of the spine, which were previously deemed too dangerous to operate on, can now be mended and rebuilt. 

The experts added that similar technological advances in orthopaedic surgery meant that high quality implants can be used to replace bones and joints damaged by the spread of cancer, thereby helping preserve essential body functions. Robot-assisted surgery was another prominent theme of the conference. 

While the experts noted that the use of robots in the operating theatre can enhance the precision of surgeries, they added that the process of learning how to work with technology was typically very demanding in terms of time and difficulty. 

“There are about 148,000 new cases of cancer in Pakistan every year. Bringing together experts from around the world promotes the sharing of advances across the field of oncology which will boost our chances of detecting the disease in early stages and deliver more effective treatment for cancer patients across the country,” Dr Masood Umer, an associate professor in AKU’s department or surgery and chair of the conference, remarked.

The conference’s objectives are in line with global efforts to achieve targets under goal 3 of the Sustainable Development Goals: ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. Target 3.4.1 of the goal calls for special efforts to reduce deaths caused by cancer by a third by 2030. 

The 3rd Annual Surgical Meeting was organized in collaboration with the European Society of Surgical Oncology, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and the International Journal of Surgery. 

The conference’s inaugural session was preceded by a day of 25 workshops and symposiums at the University’s Centre for Innovation in Medical Education. 

Over 300 participants were in attendance over the two-day event which also saw the launch of a book consisting of 15 unique stories of Pakistani cancer survivors, families and physicians who have battled the disease.

Dr Seemin Jamali presented book Trauma Care

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Dr Seemin Jamali, Executive Director, Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Centre (JPMC), Karachi, was presented a copy of the book ‘Trauma Care’ by its author Dr Muhammad Saeed Minhas, Associate Professor of Trauma and Orthopedics Surgery at JPMC.

Appointed Executive Director of the JPMC last April, Dr Seemin Jamali, has been one of the most popular physicians, having headed the emergency department with distinction for several years. Her caring attitude towards the patients in particular has been particularly admired. 

Dr Saeed Minhas is Fellow of College of Physicians and Surgeons of Pakistan (CPSP) in Orthopaedic Surgery, having done his basic training in Accident & emergency, Chest surgery, General surgery, trauma and Orthopedics. 

Besides his teaching commitments to under graduates and post graduates in Orthopaedic surgery he is actively involved in training Primary trauma care program not only in Pakistan but in many counties of the world. 

He is giving trauma training to doctors, nurses, paramedics, motorway officials and combating soldiers. He is also leading Volunteers training program in trauma and disaster for medical students. 

He has to his credit number of original research articles published in medical journals. He is also the author of Pre hospital primary trauma care manual in English and Urdu for first responders. He has also compiled a manual of Trauma, Accident & Emergency for medical students and young doctors.

Al Mustafa Welfare Society plans to establish university

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

After having completed a number of health and education projects with an investment of billions of rupees, the Al Mustafa Welfare Society, has started spadework on yet another grand project of establishing a university in Karachi.

This was disclosed by Chairman of the society, Haji Mohammed Hanif Tayyab, a former Federal Minister and President of Nizam-e-Mustafa party during a chat at the venue of a free medical camp in Gulshan-e-Iqbal, organized by Al-Mustafa Welfare Society as part of its ongoing humanitarian activities in the fields of health and education. 

Haji Hanif Tayyab, the soul behind various multi-billion health and education projects being run under Al Mustafa Welfare Society, was highly appreciative of Jumbo Karachi Guide when presented to him during the medical camp at the Pakistan Society for Scientists and Scientific Professions. 

The camp was visited by a large number of people from different walks of life which included former parliamentarians Usman Noori and Begum Qamarunnisa besides international cricketer Muhammad Sami. 

The Al Mustafa Welfare Society is registered as a non-governmental organization and is being run by a team of highly motivated intellectuals, social workers comprising of doctors, engineers, lawyers, business executives and representatives of various fields of life.

Haji Hanif Tayyab pointed out that the society has been serving thousands of poor and needy persons daily without discrimination of cast, creed and religion through its medical centers, clinics, schools, mosques Islamic centres, vocational training and skill development centers. 

He particularly referred to the establishment of a 100-bed Al Mustafa Medical Centre in Gulshan-e-Iqbal adding that it has been expanded to six floors to cater to the ever growing medical needs of needy people. 

He also informed Al Mustafa is also running medical centers in Shah Faisal Colony, Qasba More, Pak Kausar Colony and many other places in Karachi and many parts of the country besides Muzaffarabad in Azad Kashmir. 

He specially mentioned about Al Mustafa's "Kafalat Program" through which suffering and helpless people were being served since 1983.

The objective of Kafalat program is to help the families who do not have their guardian with them or they face any severe problem. 

After all the necessary assessment, the society provide them monthly food support, help them educate their children and also provide marriage assistance for girls of needy families. 

As regards the university, he informed that land for the purpose has been acquired and now preliminary work was being done to bring the project on ground. 

However, to a question, he said it is yet to be decided whether it will be an engineering or medical or a general university. 

He said that the Al Mustafa Society has started working on the idea on establishing a university after it successfully launched big educational projects for both boys and girls in localities like Korangi.