Latest news with #MasoodSadiq
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Express Tribune
25-02-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
Maryam Nawaz announces free bone marrow transplant card
Listen to article Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has announced the imminent launch of a bone marrow transplant card to facilitate treatment for patients in the province, Express News reported. According to reports, under the chief minister's initiative, 150 successful bone marrow transplants have been conducted at Lahore's Children's Hospital. The Punjab government is covering over Rs4.2 million per procedure. Children's Hospital is the first public-sector facility in Pakistan to offer bone marrow transplants. In the past year, its cancer ward has treated 2,000 patients, while more than 25,000 children have benefited from outpatient services. The hospital's bone marrow transplant success rate exceeds 89%, aligning with international standards. Patients from Sindh, Balochistan, and other provinces have also undergone procedures at the facility. Additionally, Afghan children requiring transplants have been treated free of charge in Lahore. Vice Chancellor of the University of Child Health Sciences, Dr Masood Sadiq, stated that the chief minister had directed that no child should be denied treatment due to financial constraints. The government also provides free post-operative medication, and patients undergo follow-up check-ups every 15 days. Maryam, in a statement, said, "Every child is more precious to me than my own. Free treatment is the right of every patient, and the state will fulfil its duty." She added that the introduction of the transplant card would relieve families of financial burdens. "There will be no compromise on children's health, and we will allocate all necessary resources," she affirmed.
Express Tribune
27-01-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
Sindh govt regulates formula milk sale
KARACHI: The Sindh Assembly has greenlit the Sindh Protection and Promotion of Breastfeeding and Child Nutrition Act, which aims to curb the sale of infant formula milk without a doctor's prescription. Moreover, manufacturers will now be required to label their products as "artificial milk." Experts call this law a crucial step to promote breastfeeding and protect infant health in the province, including Karachi. According to the Pakistan Pediatric Association only 48% mothers in Pakistan breastfeed their children, leaving 52% dependent on formula milk. This dependency has been linked to rising cases of infant diseases, including measles, diarrhea, pneumonia, and typhoid. Medical experts, including Pakistan Pediatric Association (PPA) President Prof Masood Sadiq and PPA Sindh chapter President Prof Waseem Jamalvi, and PPA General Secretary Dr Khalid Shafi, stressed the importance of breastfeeding for infants' health and development. Breastfeeding for up to two years not only strengthens a child's immunity but also enhances cognitive abilities and emotional confidence. Unlike formula milk, breast milk is naturally sterile and provides protection against several diseases. Prof Jamalvi and Dr Shafi referred to the alarming rise in the use of artificial milk, which is currently sold by 20 companies in Pakistan. Imported formula milk costs families between Rs25,000 to Rs30,000 per month, amounting to an annual expense of Rs360,000. This practice not only strains household budgets but also depletes Pakistan's foreign exchange reserves, with billions spent on formula imports. Beyond economic concerns, the experts warn that formula milk lacks the immunity-boosting properties of breast milk, leaving infants susceptible to illnesses. Many children experience severe digestive issues, such as diarrhea, due to formula consumption, underscoring the need to promote breastfeeding. The Sindh government has taken concrete steps to ensure the law's enforcement. A special board, including representatives from the Sindh Healthcare Commission and the Pakistan Pediatric Association, has been established to monitor compliance. The law imposes strict penalties for violations: 1) Doctors promoting artificial milk face fines up to Rs500,000 and six months of imprisonment. 2) Hospitals are prohibited from displaying advertisements for formula milk; 3) Medical stores cannot sell formula without a doctor's prescription. In emergencies, formula milk can only be administered under a doctor's supervision and for a limited period. The medical experts have stressed the need for public awareness about the law and the dangers of formula milk. They reiterated that artificial milk should never be considered a substitute for breastfeeding, except in rare medical cases.
