Latest news with #Waqar
Economic Times
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Economic Times
Bangladesh Army chief rejects Rakhine corridor, demands December elections
Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tensions have heightened between Bangladesh Army chief General Waqar-uz-Zaman and the Muhammad Yunus-led interim regime over the creation of Rakhine corridor to Myanmar, elections and law and order situation, among other a meeting of army officers in Dhaka on Wednesday, Gen Waqar rejected any notion of a "corridor" and declared it completely unacceptable, ET has learnt. It is understood that he expressed concerns about the interim regime making key decisions while keeping the armed forces in the dark. He firmly stated that the parliamentary elections must be held by this December and that only an elected government should determine the nation's course and not an unelected administration, it has been further strong views came in the backdrop of the move to ban the Awami League and India's decision to ban certain Bangladeshi exports to northeast India. During Wednesday's meeting, some of the officers emphasised that the 'Liberation war' legacy and national prestige were non-negotiable and must not be compromised under any circumstances. There are concerns within the army over efforts to undermine the legacy of Sheikh Mujib and the Liberation army also decided that it will no longer tolerate mob violence or lawlessness, signaling a shift toward stricter enforcement of order. The officers appeared to rally behind Gen Waqar as of now. While there is no imminent move by him to take over the reins of the nation, Bangladesh watchers do not rule out stringent steps by the army after the strong message, interim regime NSA Khalilur Rahman, who was allegedly instrumental in pushing the proposal for the Rakhine corridor, went on the backfoot and claimed that Dhaka has not talked about any corridor. Rahman said he is on the same page as the army and the foreign ministry on the issue. It is widely believed that certain external powers have been influencing Rahman to create a corridor to weaken China and the junta. But the move would also adversely impact India's interests in the region.
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Bangladesh Army chief rejects Rakhine corridor, demands December elections
Tensions have heightened between Bangladesh Army chief General Waqar-uz-Zaman and the Muhammad Yunus-led interim regime over the creation of Rakhine corridor to Myanmar, elections and law and order situation, among other issues. Addressing a meeting of army officers in Dhaka on Wednesday, Gen Waqar rejected any notion of a "corridor" and declared it completely unacceptable, ET has learnt. It is understood that he expressed concerns about the interim regime making key decisions while keeping the armed forces in the dark. He firmly stated that the parliamentary elections must be held by this December and that only an elected government should determine the nation's course and not an unelected administration, it has been further learnt. His strong views came in the backdrop of the move to ban the Awami League and India's decision to ban certain Bangladeshi exports to northeast India. During Wednesday's meeting, some of the officers emphasised that the 'Liberation war' legacy and national prestige were non-negotiable and must not be compromised under any circumstances. There are concerns within the army over efforts to undermine the legacy of Sheikh Mujib and the Liberation war. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Play War Thunder now for free War Thunder Play Now Undo The army also decided that it will no longer tolerate mob violence or lawlessness, signaling a shift toward stricter enforcement of order. The officers appeared to rally behind Gen Waqar as of now. While there is no imminent move by him to take over the reins of the nation, Bangladesh watchers do not rule out stringent steps by the army chief. Hours after the strong message, interim regime NSA Khalilur Rahman, who was allegedly instrumental in pushing the proposal for the Rakhine corridor, went on the backfoot and claimed that Dhaka has not talked about any corridor. Rahman said he is on the same page as the army and the foreign ministry on the issue. It is widely believed that certain external powers have been influencing Rahman to create a corridor to weaken China and the junta. But the move would also adversely impact India's interests in the region. Live Events
Express Tribune
27-04-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
Privatization risks burdening masses
Work is currently underway to hand over several primary health centers, district health centers and tehsil centers to the private sector in an initial phase of privatization across Punjab. Although the government claims that the decision will aim to improve the quality of healthcare at public hospitals, doctors and patients argue that the contracting policy will gradually pave the way for contactors to entirely control the healthcare system, making it difficult for the underprivileged masses to access free healthcare. One such patient was 65-year-old Sheikh Waqar, who regularly visits government hospitals for treating his diabetes. "If this privatization actually does happen, I will not be able to afford the tests that the doctors suggest. I have no stable source of livelihood. Therefore, now it seems that I will no longer be able to get proper treatment for my health condition," lamented Waqar. Similarly, Khursheed Begum, a 70-year-old cardiac patient from Allama Iqbal Town, was also worried about the course of her treatment in the event that the public hospitals were privatized. "Even right now, I have to wait in long queues to seek medical help. The government has already reduced the medicines given to cardiac patients by half therefore, it should come up with a plan to provide treatment facilities and free medicines to low-income patients," said Khursheed. According to sources of the Express Tribune, the privatization of public health facilities will affect nearly 165,000 patients seeking medical help on a daily basis across Punjab. More than 90 per cent of these patients are living hand-to-mouth hence they cannot even afford a diagnosis let alone medicinal or surgical treatment. Furthermore, the majority of teaching hospitals that have been chosen for privatization are the largest institutions in the province and are catering to patients from all over the country. Dr Masood Sheikh, a public health specialist, was skeptical about the ongoing privatization in the healthcare sector. "Pakistan is a poor country where quality treatment is hard to ensure therefore public hospitals provide essential services, including access to medicines and specialist doctors. However, if we adopt Western privatization models and infrastructure systems, it will create tremendous difficulties for our population. Instead of imposing a deadline for implementation, the government should engage with all stakeholders and develop a system that works for everyone. Before implementing a Western system, it is essential to assess Pakistan's local economic and social context to determine how adjustments can be made. A small-scale pilot project should be initiated to test its feasibility, and only after its success should it be implemented on a larger scale," advised Dr Masood. Opposing the decision of outsourcing, at least 8,000 doctors, professors, nurses, polio workers, dengue vaccinators, technicians and paramedics from all over Punjab have united in protest under the Grand Alliance and have gone on strike at the Mall Road in Lahore. Talking about the motive behind the strike, Dr Shoaib Niazi, President of the Young Doctors Association, revealed that after the privatization, labs, radiology services and the consultation system will be outsourced, and patients will have to pay a fee for treatment. "A health insurance system will be introduced, and it will become impossible for a poor person to get healthcare. Almost 8,000 to 9,000 patients visit any public hospital in Lahore every day. Similarly, the emergency room and wards are always overcrowded while the facility of a ventilator is also not available in many hospitals. Furthermore, nearly 200,000 employees will become unemployed after this decision. The pension of employees associated with the health sector will also be abolished while the contract period of the outsourced employees will be 90 days," he said.
Express Tribune
26-04-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
Privatization of hospitals risks burdening masses
Work is currently underway to hand over several primary health centers, district health centers and tehsil centers to the private sector in an initial phase of privatization across Punjab. Although the government claims that the decision will aim to improve the quality of healthcare at public hospitals, doctors and patients argue that the contracting policy will gradually pave the way for contactors to entirely control the healthcare system, making it difficult for the underprivileged masses to access free healthcare. One such patient was 65-year-old Sheikh Waqar, who regularly visits government hospitals for treating his diabetes. 'If this privatization actually does happen, I will not be able to afford the tests that the doctors suggest. I have no stable source of livelihood. Therefore, now it seems that I will no longer be able to get proper treatment for my health condition,' lamented Waqar. Similarly, Khursheed Begum, a 70-year-old cardiac patient from Allama Iqbal Town, was also worried about the course of her treatment in the event that the public hospitals were privatized. 'Even right now, I have to wait in long queues to seek medical help. The government has already reduced the medicines given to cardiac patients by half therefore, it should come up with a plan to provide treatment facilities and free medicines to low-income patients,' said Khursheed. According to sources of the Express Tribune, the privatization of public health facilities will affect nearly 165,000 patients seeking medical help on a daily basis across Punjab. More than 90 per cent of these patients are living hand-to-mouth hence they cannot even afford a diagnosis let alone medicinal or surgical treatment. Furthermore, the majority of teaching hospitals that have been chosen for privatization are the largest institutions in the province and are catering to patients from all over the country. Dr Masood Sheikh, a public health specialist, was skeptical about the ongoing privatization in the healthcare sector. 'Pakistan is a poor country where quality treatment is hard to ensure therefore public hospitals provide essential services, including access to medicines and specialist doctors. However, if we adopt Western privatization models and infrastructure systems, it will create tremendous difficulties for our population. Instead of imposing a deadline for implementation, the government should engage with all stakeholders and develop a system that works for everyone. Before implementing a Western system, it is essential to assess Pakistan's local economic and social context to determine how adjustments can be made. A small-scale pilot project should be initiated to test its feasibility, and only after its success should it be implemented on a larger scale,' advised Dr Masood. Opposing the decision of outsourcing, at least 8,000 doctors, professors, nurses, polio workers, dengue vaccinators, technicians and paramedics from all over Punjab have united in protest under the Grand Alliance and have gone on strike at the Mall Road in Lahore. Talking about the motive behind the strike, Dr Shoaib Niazi, President of the Young Doctors Association, revealed that after the privatization, labs, radiology services and the consultation system will be outsourced, and patients will have to pay a fee for treatment. 'A health insurance system will be introduced, and it will become impossible for a poor person to get healthcare. Almost 8,000 to 9,000 patients visit any public hospital in Lahore every day. Similarly, the emergency room and wards are always overcrowded while the facility of a ventilator is also not available in many hospitals. Furthermore, nearly 200,000 employees will become unemployed after this decision. The pension of employees associated with the health sector will also be abolished while the contract period of the outsourced employees will be 90 days,' informed Dr Niazi.
USA Today
21-03-2025
- Health
- USA Today
Allergic to cats or dogs but still want them as pets? Here's tips to help get relief.
Allergic to cats or dogs but still want them as pets? Here's tips to help get relief. Show Caption Hide Caption How to survive allergy season Spring is almost here and so is allergy season. Here are five surprising ways to survive spring allergies. Pet owners who suffer from allergies have a number of options to help relieve their symptoms, from grooming changes to medication. An allergic reaction to a dog or cat can cause sneezing, nasal congestion, itchy eyes, hives and other symptoms, according to the Mayo Clinic. The symptoms are the body's response to an allergen, such as pet dander. "When you inhale the allergen or come into contact with it, your immune system responds and produces an inflammatory response in your nasal passages or lungs," the clinic said. "Prolonged or regular exposure to the allergen can cause the ongoing (chronic) airway inflammation associated with asthma." Dr. Shaan Waqar said allergens come from a pet's saliva, dander and even urine. Waqar, an allergist at ENT and Allergy Associates in Plainview, New York, added there are ways for people to avoid a reaction. The Cleveland Clinic, an Ohio-based medical research and treatment facility, said about 30% of people in the nation have pet allergies. The clinic added it's twice as likely for a person to be allergic to a cat than a dog. Clean air in the home: Spring cleaning for clean breathing: How you can improve indoor air quality in your home Small changes may help relieve pet allergy symptoms Waqar notes that it's best to avoid bringing a pet home that will cause allergy problems. But existing pet owners may be able to make changes to their routine that can improve their allergy issues. If people are having allergy symptoms caused by a pet, Waqar suggested restricting where in the home the pet can be. That includes keeping the pet out of bedrooms to avoid prolonged, overnight exposure. If a person is petting a cat or dog, Waqar suggests thoroughly washing hands with soap and water. For the pet itself, he said regular grooming is needed. Around the home, he said a vacuum with a HEPA filter can help cut down on allergens. "They can help trap some of those very small particles that some of the other vacuum cleaners cannot, so that can be very helpful," he said. Medication can help treat pet allergies Over-the-counter and prescription medication can help, Waqar said. Those medications include oral antihistamines like Zyrtec and Claritin, and nasal sprays like Flonase, Nasal Court and Azelastine. He added people could experience side effects with the medications, the main one being drowsiness that he said accompanies oral antihistamines. Doctors could prescribe a combination of antihistamine and steroidal nasal spray if a person isn't getting relief from the other medicated options. Beyond that, he said allergy shots can decrease a person's sensitivity to an allergen. There are two phases to allergy shots: a build-up and maintenance. Waqar said the build-up phase typically requires weekly shots, then, under a doctor's direction, it converts to the maintenance phase, which would require monthly injections. Ah-choo: Tired of suffering during allergy season? These tips from an expert may offer relief "You're trying to maintain and hold that protection long-term for the patient, so that hopefully when they stop the allergy shots, the tolerance that they built will stay ‒ so that can be another really effective treatment," he said. Are there allergy-free cats and dogs? A truly allergy-free cat or dog does not exist, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. But there are some breeds known for being more tolerable for people with allergies. The American Kennel Club said less-allergenic purebred dogs do exist such as poodles, Yorkshire terriers, Bichon frise, Maltese and schnauzers. Contact reporter Krystal Nurse at knurse@ Follow her on X @KrystalRNurse, and on BlueSky @
