Latest news with #PunjabHealthDepartment
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Health
- Express Tribune
Gluttony lands many in hospitals
Heatstroke patients are being treated at the Civil Hospital's emergency ward on Wednesday. Photo: Jalal Qureshi/express A large number of citizens were rated in the emergency wards of hospitals across the province because of overeating on Eidul Azha. According to doctors, extremely hot weather and consumption of spicy and unhygienic food caused gastroenteritis and other stomach diseases. Patients injured in road accidents and while slaughtering sacrificial animals were also brought the hospitals. Hospital officials in Lahore said a large number of patients were treated on the three Eid days. The people host parties with relatives to eat dishes cooked after the sacrifice. A large number of them faced health issues, resulting in an increased workload on the doctors and paramedical staff in the hospitals. A large number of patients was recorded in the Mayo, Sir Ganga Ram, Lahore General, Jinnah, Government Nawaz Sharif, Shahdara and Services hospitals along with the private health facilities. "In the hospitals of the city, a large number of patients were those who had consumed oily and unhygienic food or overeaten meat of sacrificial animals," said Mayo Hospital Senior Medical Officer Dr Fareed Ahmad. He said healthcare experts had advised the people to avoid overeating amid the hot weather and to eat light food. The doctor said the families should avoid cooking spicy dishes that were the major cause of stomach problems. He said the patients of heart, kidney and liver disease should especially avoid overeating. Besides overeating, patients of heat stroke, victims of road accidents and untrained butchers were also among the patients treated during the holidays. The Punjab government had instructed the all public sector hospitals to make arrangements to treat patients during the Eid holidays, including preparation of duty rosters to ensure day and night service in the emergency wards. "Although there was load on the hospitals during the Eid days, their arrangements were excellent this time as the health ministry was monitoring the situation. Our doctors, nursing and paramedical staff were on duty and they sacrificed their Eid to provide treatment facilities to the people and we salute them," said Punjab Health Department spokesperson Sayed Hamad Raza. According to figures released on Monday by the Punjab Local Government Department, more than 1.1 million sacrificial animals were sold across the province for the Eid. A total of 1.5 million animals were brought to 292 livestock markets established across the province. Lahore division recorded the highest sales, with 665,000 animals sold, including 443,000 goats and sheep, and 222,000 cows and bulls. In Faisalabad, 112,000 animals were brought to the markets and 88,000 were sold. Bahawalpur recorded over 100,000 sales. In contrast, Dera Ghazi Khan had modest activity, with 38,000 small and 30,000 large animals sold. The Rawalpindi markets saw 84,000 animals brought in, of which 46,000 were sold.
News18
28-05-2025
- Health
- News18
40-Year-Old Dies Of Covid-19 At Chandigarh Hospital
Last Updated: Health authorities said that the deceased was suffering from liver complications, and a Covid-19 test conducted on Tuesday confirmed he was positive for the virus. A 40-year-old man succumbed to Covid-19 at the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) in Sector-32, Chandigarh on Wedneday morning, reigniting concerns about the virus. The deceased, identified as Rajkumar, originally hailed from Firozabad in Uttar Pradesh but had been residing in Ludhiana, Punjab. Rajkumar had been admitted to GMCH four days prior in a critical condition, having been referred from Ludhiana. Health authorities revealed that he was suffering from liver complications, and a Covid-19 test conducted on Tuesday confirmed he was positive for the virus. In response to his death, GMCH set up a dedicated isolation ward with 10-12 beds to manage any potential surge in Covid-19 infections. Health officials are tracing and testing individuals who may have come into contact with the deceased. The Punjab Health Department also expressed heightened alertness following the fatality. A senior official from the state Health Department urged the public to remain vigilant of the virus even as broader fears of the pandemic have receded. As of the latest figures, Punjab has reported three active Covid-19 cases, while neighbouring Haryana has twelve. Rajkumar's death marks the first recent fatality linked to the virus in the area, prompting renewed focus on containment and surveillance efforts. Haryana has recorded a total of 14 active cases, with reports emerging from districts including Karnal, Faridabad, Gurugram, and Yamuna Nagar. What makes the recent cases more alarming is that not all have a clear link to foreign travel or known hotspots. Some patients had not left their local areas, suggesting potential undetected community spread. First Published: May 28, 2025, 15:11 IST
Indian Express
26-05-2025
- Health
- Indian Express
Punjab's first covid case: Haryana woman tests positive in Mohali
Punjab's first Covid-19 case in recent months has come to light, with a 51-year-old woman from Yamunanagar, Haryana, testing positive at Fortis Hospital, Mohali. The patient had travelled to Dera Beas to attend a religious gathering (satsang) where she fell down. Her blood pressure was not coming under control. Therefore, she was referred to the Fortis Hospital, Mohali, on May 23. Following the case, the Punjab Health Department has been placed on high alert. Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh said, 'It's JN1 variant. It's mild, it's not a serious thing. We are actively testing, and all our government hospitals are fully prepared to handle any potential surge in cases.' Covid wards are already in place across hospitals in the state. District Epidemiologist and nodal officer Dr Harmandeep Kaur Brar confirmed the case. 'All necessary precautions and safety protocols have been implemented. There is no need to panic,' she said. Health officials have initiated contact tracing and are monitoring all those who may have been exposed. 'We are following standard procedures to ensure community safety,' Dr Brar added. Doctors at Fortis Hospital reported that the woman was in stable condition and was likely to be discharged within the next 24 to 48 hours. An advisory has also been issued to health authorities in Mohali district. Civil Surgeon Dr Sangeeta Jain said that the situation was under control and the patient was stable. Dr Jain urged residents to follow Covid-appropriate behaviour, including avoiding outside food, washing hands frequently, using sanitisers, avoiding crowded places, and wearing masks in public gatherings. 'She had travelled with her husband to attend a Radha Soami satsang in Mohali. During her visit, she began experiencing breathing difficulties and developed a fever. Doctors conducted a Covid test, and the report came positive.'
Express Tribune
08-05-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
Medical strike ends as Punjab declares health emergency
In response to Indian aggression targeting various parts of Punjab, the provincial government on Wednesday ordered the immediate closure of all public and private educational institutions, while placing hospitals on high alert to handle potential emergency situations. All intermediate and practical examinations scheduled for the day were cancelled by the Punjab Boards, including the Part-II Islamiyat and Accounting papers. Matriculation practical exams across all boards were also postponed. Colleges and universities suspended their semester exams, with new dates to be announced once the institutions reopen. The Punjab Health Department has directed all public hospitalsincluding District Headquarters (DHQs) and Tehsil Headquarters (THQs)to operate on a 24-hour emergency footing. Senior medical staff, including professors, doctors, nurses, and paramedics, were ordered to remain on duty without exception. In a significant development, the Grand Health Alliance, which had been on strike for over a month, suspended all protests and resumed duties to support emergency preparedness. Their return marks a unified response from the medical community amid heightened national tensions. A high-level security and preparedness meeting was convened at Lahore General Hospital (LGH), chaired by Prof Al-Fareed Zafar, Principal of Ameer Uddin Medical College and PGMI. The meeting was attended by senior faculty, administrative doctors, and hospital officials, including LGH Medical Superintendent Prof Dr Faryad Hussain and Dr. Umar Ishaq, MS of Punjab Institute of Neurosciences (PINS). Prof Zafar placed all LGH departments on high alert and appointed Prof. Armghan Israr Mirza as Director of Disaster Management to lead coordination across departments. Detailed briefings were held with each department to ensure readiness, with special emphasis on emergency supplies, availability of life-saving drugs, standby ambulances, functional operation theatres and uninterrupted power backup. Medical personnel were instructed to remain available at all times with their phones switched on and were prohibited from leaving their posts without prior approval. Coordination was also established with the Blood Donation Society of AMC to guarantee timely supply of blood during any mass casualty event. Reinforcing the need for discipline and national unity, Prof. Al-Fareed Zafar stated, "The country is in safe hands, and our Armed Forces have the full support of the nation. As medical professionals, we stand ready to work on the front lines around the clock, offering our services without hesitation in this critical time." He praised the nation's resilience and urged the medical community to uphold their responsibilities with dedication and professionalism.
Express Tribune
02-05-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
Health staff recalled amid emergency preparedness
The Punjab Health Department has cancelled all types of leaves for medical professionals under its jurisdiction, citing the need for maximum workforce availability amid heightened security concerns following recent developments along the eastern border. According to a notification issued by the Secretary of the Specialized Healthcare & Medical Education Department, all earned, casual, and extraordinary leaves (EOL) for doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals have been revoked with immediate effect. The directive, referenced as NO.E&A(Health)1-454/2019, follows an earlier order dated April 28, 2025. The notification explicitly states that all kinds of leaves stand cancelled until further notice, with a few exceptions. These include ex-Pakistan leave, Hajj/Umrah leave, medical leave, maternity leave, study leave, and Iddat leave. Medical professionals currently on leave have been instructed to report back to their respective departments or institutions without delay. In compliance with the order, medical and paramedical staff across Rawalpindi's hospitals and health education institutions have returned to duty.
