Category: Health
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The Aga Khan University Hospital’s Nurse Becomes Pakistan’s First DAISY Award Winner
The Aga Khan University Hospital’s (AKUH) Head Nurse of Daycare Oncology, Ms Amber Hussain, has been awarded the prestigious DAISY Nurse Leaders Award. She becomes the first nurse from Pakistan to get this international award that recognises, honours and celebrates the compassion and skills nurses bring to their patients every day. The award was presented…
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AKU alumna returns to Pakistan after 30 years as Dean
Dr Salimah Walani has been named the next Dean of the Aga Khan University School of Nursing and Midwifery, Pakistan, effective August 1, 2024, as announced by AKU Provost and Vice President, Academic, Dr Tania Bubela. The appointment follows a thorough and competitive recruitment process, which was facilitated by an international search firm and overseen…
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AKU-EB’s Role in Developing Global Standards in Educational Assessment Recognised
The Aga Khan University Examination Board (AKU-EB) proudly announces its significant contribution to the development of the International Standards for Educational Assessment, recently launched by the International Association for Education Assessment (IAEA) in May 2024. These globally accepted standards set benchmarks for best practices in examinations and assessments worldwide. Aligned with IAEA’s vision, these standards…
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AKUH Awarded Platinum Performance Achievement Award for Treatment of Heart Attack Patients
The Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) has received the Chest Pain – MI Registry Platinum Performance Achievement Award for 2024. This is an award by the American College of Cardiology’s (ACC) National Cardiovascular Data Registry (NCDR). It places the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi among the world’s top hospitals for offering high-quality cardiac care to…
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FrieslandCampina Institute Launches as a Trusted Platform for Healthcare Professionals
The FrieslandCampina Institute was officially launched in Pakistan by Kashan Hasan, Managing Director of FrieslandCampina Engro Pakistan Limited (FCEPL). The inauguration ceremony, held at the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad, marks a significant milestone in advancing healthcare professionals’ education and nutritional awareness across the region. The Institute in Pakistan aims to equip local healthcare professionals with…
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FCEPL Leadership Visits Raast School for Educational and Nutritional Outreach
Managing Director FrieslandCampina Engro Pakistan (FCEPL), Kashan Hasan, along with senior leadership of the company, spent the day with the students of RAAST Welfare School in Qayyumabad, Karachi, as part of their ongoing collaboration to provide milk, quality education, and vocational training to underprivileged communities in Pakistan, and to mark the start of the company’s…
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AKU unveils plans to establish CVD intervention centres in rural Sindh
The Aga Khan University’s Center for IMPACT for Cardiovascular Risk Reduction Studies held an inception meeting where it laid out its research and development plans to combat the rising incidence of cardiovascular diseases, mostly in rural Sindh. Prof Zainab Samad, Chair of the Department of Medicine at AKU, who presided over the meeting said, “While…
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AKU, WHO, and UNICEF stress the need to save youth from non-communicable diseases
The Aga Khan University’s Department of Community Health Sciences (CHS) has kicked off a three-day conference to discuss and resolve adolescent health issues, with participation from the World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF). The conference, titled “Healthy Futures: Preventing Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in Young Hearts and Minds,” sheds light on…
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Aga Khan University’s (CIME) Hosts Groundbreaking SIMPACT 2024 Conference
The Aga Khan University Centre for Innovation in Medical Education (CIME) launched its first-ever international conference, SIMPACT 2024, in Karachi, Pakistan, and Nairobi, Kenya. SIMPACT 2024 brings together a diverse array of simulation professionals, including doctors, nurses, educators, researchers, engineers, students, expert and industry leaders, to revolutionize healthcare education for a safer and more skilled…
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The Coca-Cola Foundation and charity: water Partner to Bring Clean and Safe Water to Communities in Pakistan
charity: water, a non-profit organization bringing clean and safe water to people around the world, has received support from The Coca-Cola Foundation to launch a transformative clean water project in the Balochistan province in Pakistan. The project aims to support 372 new and rehabilitated community water points to ensure access to clean and safe water…
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International Nurses & Midwives Day Conference 2024
The International Nurses and Midwives Day Conference, hosted by the Aga Khan University School of Nursing and Midwifery (AKU-SONAM) in collaboration with the Division of Nursing Services, Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH), successfully convened to commemorate the invaluable contributions of nurses and midwives worldwide. The conference, titled “Economy and Environment: Impact through Nursing and Midwifery…
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Bridging the Evidence Gap for Children and Adolescents’ Health
In a groundbreaking article published in the prestigious Nature Medicine journal, experts from various parts of the world collaborated to address evidence gaps for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in children and adolescents. Notable experts, including Dr Zulfiqar Bhutta and Dr Jai Das from the Institute for Global Health and Development at Aga Khan University (IGHD-AKU) in…
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How to Meditate?
In today’s fast-paced world, finding moments of peace and clarity can be challenging. As the interest in mindfulness and meditation continues to grow, many are turning to this ancient practice to cultivate a sense of calm and focus in their lives. Whether you’re new to meditation or looking to deepen your practice, here are some…
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Highlighting the latest breakthroughs in the field of biological and biomedical sciences research
The 3rd Annual Biological Sciences Conference, themed ‘#TrailblazingOnwards,’ celebrated the Aga Khan University’s (AKU) 40th year of excellence in research and education. This conference provided biological science researchers within the country a platform to showcase basic science and mechanistic studies in various fields of human and animal biological sciences, as well as gathered experts from…
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Dengue Cases: Urgent Call for Awareness and Prevention
The tally of dengue cases has now soared to 11,587 this year, with an additional 232 patients reported in the last 24 hours alone, as disclosed by the Secretary of the Punjab Health Department, Ali Jan Khan, on Sunday. Among the newly identified cases, 139 were recorded in Lahore. The escalating numbers underscore the persistent…
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Unveiling Pakistan’s Ongoing Polio Battle
In a recent update from the Ministry of Health, a concerning development has unfolded in Karachi’s Eastern district, marking the fifth reported case of polio in Pakistan this year. The affected individual, a 31-month-old child from Union Council Gujru, has been diagnosed with the debilitating virus, emphasizing the persistent threat to communities with inadequate health…
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Aga Khan University’s 40th Anniversary Multimedia Exhibition Opens to Public
A multimedia exhibition that brings to life the 40-year history of the Aga Khan University opened to the public Thursday with numerous dignitaries in attendance, including former Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan Dr Ishrat Husain and Oscar-winning filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy. The first exhibition of its kind in AKU’s history, A Transformative Vision celebrates…
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Elevate Your Mood with Anxiety Superfoods
Stress and anxiety are a common part of our daily lives, and we often turn to traditional methods like meditation, deep breathing, or yoga to find relief. However, did you know that certain foods can also play a pivotal role in reducing anxiety and stress levels? In an exclusive interview with renowned Harvard-trained nutritional psychiatrist,…
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Pakistan’s resolve to eradicate this disease and to protect all children remains unwavering: Dr Nadeem Jan
Children are our future, and the Government of Pakistan will leave no stone unturned to ensure that the disability-causing poliovirus does not remain a threat to their wellbeing, Minister for Health Dr Nadeem Jan has said. The minister led an awareness walk in Islamabad to end polio on Sunday as part of a series of…
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Polio Challenge Persists: Fourth Case Surfaces in Karachi
Pakistan faces another hurdle in its battle against polio, with the Ministry of Health reporting the emergence of the fourth case this year, this time in Karachi. The nation’s caretaker Health Minister, Dr. Nadeem Jan, underscored Pakistan’s robust polio surveillance system, emphasizing its efficiency in rapidly confirming the virus’s presence in environmental samples. While reaffirming…
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Revolutionary Dengue Fever Pill Offers Hope
Pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson has announced promising results from a small human challenge trial of their newly developed pill for dengue fever. This breakthrough brings renewed hope in the fight against dengue, a growing global health threat for which there have been no specific treatments available until now. Dengue fever, prevalent in regions like…
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Sindh’s Battle Against Malaria: Over 3,000 Cases in a Day
The province of Sindh is grappling with a severe malaria outbreak, with a staggering 3,076 cases reported in a single day. This alarming surge has raised significant concerns about the health and well-being of the population, particularly in the Hyderabad Division, which alone has reported 1,455 cases, indicating a major outbreak in that region. Moreover,…
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Rotary’s Global Drive to End Polio
As the global community unites in the fight against polio, Rotary members are employing both time-tested strategies and innovative ideas to create awareness, secure funds, and garner support to eliminate this debilitating disease. From Europe to Africa, Asia to the Americas, Rotary’s commitment to eradicating polio forever remains unwavering. Germany to Turkey and Back: A…
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Dengue Season Fades: Rawalpindi Prepares for Winter
As winter sets in, there’s good news for the residents of Rawalpindi and its surrounding areas: the dengue season that has caused distress for the past three months is finally coming to a close. Dengue larvae, unable to endure the cold, are disappearing, effectively putting an end to fears of another outbreak in the region.…
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AKU’s Brain and Mind Institute joins hands with Synapse
Synapse – Pakistan Neuroscience Institute, National Academy of Performing Arts (NAPA), British Asian Trust, and Aga Khan University’s Brain and Mind Institute (BMI) To tackle mental health challenges and empower the youth of Pakistan, Synapse Pakistan Neuroscience Institute, the National Academy of Performing Arts, the British Asian Trust, and AKU’s Brain and Mind Institute joined…
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Punjab Achieves Success in Second Polio Immunisation Drive
The second national polio immunization drive in Punjab, which commenced on October 2, has concluded on a highly successful note. Polio teams tirelessly went door-to-door during this campaign, with a mission to vaccinate every eligible child, thereby inching closer to eradicating the polio virus from its last remaining strongholds. This vital initiative, known as the…
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Congo Fever Claims 15th Victim in Quetta
The alarming rise in Congo fever cases in Quetta has taken a devastating toll, with yet another patient falling victim to the virus in the past 24 hours. Hospital sources have confirmed that a 22-year-old resident of Pishin was admitted to the Fatima Jinnah Institute of Chest Diseases. Subsequent blood tests conclusively identified the presence…
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Health Experts Cautions Against Bitter Melon as a Cancer Cure
Sri Lankan health experts have issued a stark warning to patients, urging them not to rely on bitter melon as a cancer treatment. This caution follows the circulation of a false claim on social media that this tropical vine is a “proven cure” for cancer. While studies have suggested that bitter melon may possess anti-cancer…
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Pakistan on Alert: NIH Issues Nipah Virus Advisory
In response to reported cases of the Nipah virus in South India, the National Institute of Health (NIH) has released a crucial advisory, following directives from the Federal Minister for Health. While no instances of the Nipah virus have been documented in Pakistan so far, the Ministry of Health spokesperson emphasizes that a low-risk advisory…
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Boosting Workplace Productivity Through Exercise
When it comes to the benefits of regular exercise, we’re all familiar with its ability to promote a healthy body and mind. But what if we told you that exercise could do more than just keep you in shape? It turns out that engaging in physical activity can significantly enhance your productivity at work. From…
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Surge in Spending on Children’s Mental Health Amid Pandemic
Amid growing concerns about the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on young people, a recent study conducted by the RAND Corporation has shed light on a significant increase in spending on mental health services for children and adolescents in the United States. The research reveals that spending in this crucial area surged by 26%…
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WHO Recommends Affordable Malaria Vaccine for Children
The World Health Organization (WHO) has endorsed a cost-effective and widely producible malaria vaccine created by the University of Oxford. This announcement marks a significant milestone in combatting the life-threatening disease, which is transmitted to humans by certain mosquitoes. Malaria is a pressing global health concern, particularly affecting infants and young children, and has posed…
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Research by AKU highlights the effectiveness of interventions to improve the health of textile workers in Pakistan
A multi-faceted study conducted by Dr Asaad Nafees, Assistant Professor, Department of Community Health Sciences at the Aga Khan University (AKU) is the largest of its kind to determine the effectiveness of a simple intervention in reducing cotton dust-related respiratory health effects on textile workers in Pakistan. The study titled MultiTex RCT, in collaboration with…
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Unlocking Fitness: Transform Your Walks with Weighted Rucking
If you’re one to relish a brisk walk as your favored form of exercise, there’s a remarkably simple way to elevate your fitness game: introduce “rucking” into your routine. Rucking is essentially walking while carrying extra weight on your back, and it’s a fitness trend that’s been gaining popularity. The allure lies in its straightforwardness…
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Exploring Delectable High-Protein Fall Recipes
As the days grow shorter and the air turns crisper, there’s something comforting about the arrival of fall. It’s a season that invites us to indulge in heartwarming dishes like soups, casseroles, and cheesy pasta. For me, as a Dietitian, it’s a time to celebrate the goodness of food that not only delights the palate…
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Understanding Stress in Women: Symptoms and Management
Stress affects individuals in various ways, and for women, its impact can be particularly unique. Both physical and psychological symptoms can emerge as a result of stress, including anxiety, sleep disturbances, and changes in menstrual patterns. Recognizing these symptoms is crucial, as proactive measures can help alleviate their effects. Common Symptoms of Stress in Women…
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Punjab on High Alert as Nipah Virus Threat Emerges
In response to growing concerns regarding the potential outbreak of the Nipah virus in the region, the Punjab government has declared a state of high alert, covering all areas within the province, including the capital city of Lahore. This alert represents a significant move in the battle against the looming threat of the Nipah virus.…
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Processed Food Linked to Depression Risk in Women
A recent study has shed light on the potential connection between a high consumption of processed foods and an increased risk of developing depression, particularly in women. Published in the JAMA Network Open journal, the study underscores the significance of dietary choices, especially those involving artificially sweetened foods and beverages. Processed Foods and Depression: Uncovering…
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Polio Virus Resurgence Sparks Concerns in Pakistan
In a concerning update, the relentless polio virus continues to pose a significant threat in Pakistan, showing no signs of slowing down. Recent reports confirm the virus’s presence in multiple regions, sounding alarms among health officials and highlighting the urgent need for action. Polio Virus Strikes Karachi and Peshawar Recent detections of the polio virus…
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Fast Flu Relief: Doctor-Prescribed Tips
Dealing with the flu can be more than a minor inconvenience, as it can lead to severe health issues requiring urgent medical attention or even hospitalization. However, there are steps you can take to alleviate the flu’s impact quickly. 1. Antiviral Medication: The flu is one of the few viral respiratory illnesses that can be…
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Prioritize Your Heart: World Heart Day 2023
World Heart Day is a global reminder to prioritize heart health, and it falls on September 29th each year. Cardiovascular diseases are a leading cause of death worldwide, claiming over 20.5 million lives annually due to conditions like heart attacks, strokes, and heart failure, according to the World Heart Federation. This day serves as an…
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Guidelines for Pink Eye Infection
In response to a significant uptick in cases of Pink Eye infection, also known as conjunctivitis, health authorities in Sindh have issued crucial guidelines to both airports and airlines. This move is designed to mitigate the spread of the highly contagious infection, ensuring the safety of travelers and the public. The Director of Border Health…
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Protein Intake a Concern for Pakistanis, But Budget a Barrier
The ‘Right To Protein’ initiative, powered by U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) introduced the ‘Pakistan Protein Perception Study 2023’, an insightful report developed basis a nation-wide survey conducted by YouGov assessing citizen’s knowledge, behaviour, and perceptions about protein foods in Pakistan. The study highlights the practical challenges that pose as a barrier to adequate protein…
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Unlocking the Secrets to Brain Health: Expert Insights and Tips
In a world where we often prioritize physical health, it’s easy to overlook the importance of our brain’s well-being. But what if we told you that our brain is at the core of everything we do, from our thoughts to our emotions and social interactions? Dr. Tarun Dua, a leading expert, sheds light on the…
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Major Depression: A Complex Landscape of Life Satisfaction
In a groundbreaking study, conventional notions about major depression are being challenged. Contrary to the widely held belief, this research suggests that individuals diagnosed with major depression do not universally perceive all facets of their lives through a negative lens. Surprisingly, many individuals living with depression reported experiencing feelings of satisfaction, particularly in areas closely…
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Mastering Stress: Holistic Approaches in Pakistan
In today’s fast-paced world, navigating life often feels like a turbulent journey. With an array of daily tasks demanding our attention, the art of managing stress becomes paramount for maintaining overall well-being. This holds especially true in Pakistan, a nation known for its bustling cities like Lahore and the serene beauty of its northern regions,…
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Rawalpindi’s Growing Dengue Challenge Demands Urgent Action
Rawalpindi is facing an alarming surge in dengue cases, with 16 new cases reported in the past 24 hours, according to the provincial health ministry. This ongoing dengue onslaught has left the city grappling with a growing health crisis, as the number of cases climbs to 261. Most of the affected individuals are currently receiving…
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Balancing Safety and Freedom: AirTags for Kids
Lately, many parents have been utilizing a new approach to monitor their children by utilizing AirTags, a $29 device sold by Apple that allows real-time tracking of kids’ locations. While it may seem unsettling at first, the practice when employed with the children’s consent, could prove beneficial in safeguarding them from potentially dangerous aspects of…
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Eight Habits for 20+ Extra Years
In a study presented at Nutrition 2023, the annual meeting of the ‘American Society for Nutrition’, researchers have pinpointed eight habits that can significantly extend a person’s lifespan by more than two decades. Drawing from data collected from 719,147 participants enrolled in the Veterans Affairs Million Veteran Program, the study sheds light on the lifestyle…
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Experts Advocate for Enhanced Lupus Disease Awareness and Care
At a recent seminar organized by the Department of Medicine and Rheumatology at the Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS), speakers emphasized the need for greater awareness of lupus disease. Lupus, an autoimmune disease primarily affecting young women between the ages of 15 and 50, currently affects around five million patients worldwide. The speakers highlighted…