logo
'Love-sick' US woman diagnosed with bipolar disorder

'Love-sick' US woman diagnosed with bipolar disorder

Express Tribune05-02-2025

KARACHI:
Onija Andrew Robbins, a 35-year-old American woman who travelled to the metropolis driven by her love for a 19-year-old Pakistani man, has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder apart from other health issues.
Robbins - who refuses to return to the United States without Nidal Ahmed Memon, a resident of Garden West, who she claims to have married online via International Utah website - is currently admitted to the Special Ward of JPMC. She is undergoing continuous medical evaluations and tests by a team of doctors.
Robbins, mother of two, has been given an extension after her three months visit visa expired, while Nidal and his family have been hiding since the American woman caught the media's attention in Karachi.
According to JPMC's medical staff, Robbins has been receiving treatment for bipolar disorder, a condition she is also managing in the United States. During her medical tests at JPMC, it was revealed that her hemoglobin levels were dangerously low, triggering the need for two blood transfusions. Moreover, liver issues were identified, which are being closely monitored.
Prof Chooni Lal, head of the Dept of Psychiatry at JPMC, told The Express Tribune that Robbins underwent a series of tests, confirming both psychological and physical health issues. She was initially admitted to the Psychiatric Ward, but was later transferred to the Special Ward under police custody due to overcrowding in the psychiatric facility.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Safer, smarter healthcare services: Federal, Punjab Health ministries to launch joint initiatives
Safer, smarter healthcare services: Federal, Punjab Health ministries to launch joint initiatives

Business Recorder

time4 days ago

  • Business Recorder

Safer, smarter healthcare services: Federal, Punjab Health ministries to launch joint initiatives

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Health Ministry and the Punjab Health department have decided to join hands for stronger, safer, and smarter healthcare services. The major development for national health collaboration came here on Thursday during a high-level meeting between Federal Minister for Health Mustafa Kamal and Punjab Minister for Primary and Secondary Healthcare Khawaja Imran Nazir. The meeting focused on strengthening coordination between the federal and provincial governments to address critical healthcare challenges and launch joint initiatives across key health areas. The meeting decided taking joint action against counterfeit medicines, coordinated efforts on polio eradication and dengue prevention and advancement of digital health systems and regulatory reform. The meeting was also attended by Special Secretary Health Syed Waqarul Hassan, Additional Secretary Health, Chief Information Officer of DRAP, Director General Health, and the President of the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC),Dr Rizwan Taj. Kamal reiterated the federal government's resolve to address healthcare issues with urgency. He stated that under the direction of the prime minister, particular focus is being placed on eliminating polio and ensuring timely implementation of health programmes. 'The fight against polio continues with full zeal, until the virus is eliminated, our children remain at risk,' he emphasised. He shared plans for a new national strategy for polio eradication and urged parents to disregard negative propaganda and ensure their children are vaccinated. 'In Palestine, even during war, mothers call for vaccinators with whistles. Pakistani mothers must also play their part in protecting their children,' he said. Kamal highlighted steps being taken by DRAP to combat counterfeit medicines, including the rollout of a modern barcode system. This will enable every medicine to carry a unique code that patients can scan to verify authenticity and price. Additionally, export certifications such as GMP, CoPP, and NOCs are now being processed online via the Pakistan Single Window, and all regulatory submissions are handled through the new 'e-App' online platform. Provincial Minister Khawaja Imran Nazir reaffirmed Punjab's full support for the federal government's health agenda. 'Punjab has greater capacity and resources, and we are ready to share these to benefit all provinces. The health of our people must come before all else,' he stated. He also praised DRAP's initiatives under the leadership of Minister Kamal, particularly, those targeting counterfeit pharmaceuticals. The two ministers agreed on the importance of coordinated measures to prevent dengue outbreaks in Islamabad and Rawalpindi and committed to united efforts in disease prevention, vaccination campaigns, and health system strengthening. They stressed that collaboration between federal and provincial levels is crucial to achieving meaningful progress in the health sector. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025

Surging plastic pollution poses environmental crisis
Surging plastic pollution poses environmental crisis

Express Tribune

time5 days ago

  • Express Tribune

Surging plastic pollution poses environmental crisis

World Environment Day is observed globally on June 5, with this year's theme, "Beat Plastic Pollution," drawing attention to the growing crisis of plastic waste. Environmental experts have warned that without immediate intervention, the consequences of unchecked pollution could be catastrophic for both human health and the ecosystem. While speaking to The Express Tribune, Dr Amir Alamgir, Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies at the University of Karachi, said that plastic pollution has emerged as one of the most serious environmental challenges in recent decades. "Plastic products are inexpensive and widely available, which encourages excessive use without regard for their harmful effects," he added. Dr Alamgir stressed the health hazards posed by plastic use, particularly during the summer. "Storing drinking water in plastic bottles and refrigerating them can release microplastics that enter the human body," he said. "These microscopic particles can severely damage the respiratory and digestive systems, blood vessels, and other vital organs. Prolonged exposure may even lead to fatal diseases such as cancer." He also warned against the widespread practice of waste burning, particularly plastic waste, which releases toxic gases into the atmosphere. "These gases are absorbed into the lungs and bloodstream, affecting human health in ways that are still being understood - but we know they pose grave risks," he said. Karachi, one of the most densely populated cities in the country, is at the centre of Pakistan's environmental crisis. The city generates an estimated 14,712 tons of solid waste daily, of which only 50 per cent is transported to landfill sites. The remainder is discarded in open spaces, water bodies, and streets, polluting both air and water sources. According to Dr Alamgir, 60 per cent of Karachi's solid waste is composed of plastic, much of which ends up in the Arabian Sea, endangering marine life. "If the current trend continues, Karachi could face irreversible ecological damage within the next 15 years," he warned.

US expected to block Gaza ceasefire vote at Security Council
US expected to block Gaza ceasefire vote at Security Council

Business Recorder

time5 days ago

  • Business Recorder

US expected to block Gaza ceasefire vote at Security Council

UNITED NATIONS: The UN Security Council will vote Wednesday on a resolution calling for a ceasefire and unrestricted humanitarian access in Gaza, a measure expected to fail due to a US veto. It is the 15-member body's first vote on the subject since November, when the United States – a key Israeli ally – also blocked a text calling for an end to fighting. The new resolution, seen by AFP, 'demands an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza respected by all parties.' It also calls for the 'immediate, dignified and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas and other groups.' Underlining a 'catastrophic humanitarian situation' in the Palestinian territory, the resolution additionally demands the lifting of all restrictions on the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza. US-backed Gaza aid group to halt distribution on Wednesday, UN to vote on ceasefire demand It will be put to vote at 4:00 pm Wednesday (2000 GMT), but several diplomats indicated to AFP that they expected the United States to wield its veto power. They added that the representatives from the 10 elected members of the Council, who will introduce the text, tried in vain to negotiate with the American side. The veto, if applied, would be the first by Washington since US President Donald Trump took office in January. That scrutiny has increased over flailing aid distribution in Gaza, which Israel blocked for more than two months before allowing a small number of UN vehicles to enter in mid-May. The United Nations said that was not enough to meet the humanitarian needs. A US-backed relief effort called the Gaza Humanitarian Fund (GHF) has also come under criticism for going against long-standing aid principles by coordinating relief efforts with a military belligerent. Israeli bombardment on Wednesday killed at least 16 people in the Gaza Strip, including 12 in a single strike on a tent housing displaced people, the Palestinian territory's civil defense agency told AFP. On Tuesday, 27 people were killed in southern Gaza when Israeli troops opened fire near a GHF aid site, with the military saying the incident was under investigation. Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian ambassador to the UN, on Tuesday urged the Council to act. 'All of us will be judged by history as to how much have we done in order to stop this crime against the Palestinian people,' he said. Israel's ambassador to the UN Danny Danon lambasted the draft text. 'This resolution doesn't advance humanitarian relief. It undermines it. It ignores a working system in favor of political agendas,' he was to tell the council, according to remarks released by his office. 'It ignores the one party still endangering civilians in Gaza: Hamas.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store