Infection Control Society Pakistan

KARACHI, April 3: Health experts speaking at a conference on Saturday highlighted the need to improve the methods employed for the safety and preservation of vaccines to maintain their effectiveness when administered.

The speakers mainly comprising senior paediatricians and pathologists were of the view that it was a collective responsibility of doctors and pharmacists to maintain safety and effectiveness of vaccines so that not only the desired results against preventable diseases were obtained but also misconception and controversies related to various vaccines were done away with.

The conference on “Updates in vaccination” was organised as part of the 6th Health Asia Exhibition and Conferences.

Continue reading Call for better ways to preserve vaccinces – DAWN

The 2009 AIDS Epidemic Update by UNAIDS can be viewed by clicking here.

Source: UNAIDS

In a move to counter social exclusion and change discriminatory practices, a dialogue has begun in Pakistan between the government, parliamentarians and communities often overlooked by policymakers. An historic meeting was held late last month when a number of parliamentarians began a dialogue with community members on the challenges facing transgendered people, people who use drugs and people living with HIV. This meeting was a first, and aimed to create an enabling environment for policy changes related to HIV.

Continue reading Going beyond social taboos: Parliamentarians begin inclusive dialogue with key groups in Pakistan

Click here to read the online paper ‘DNA photolyase of enterococci: possible explanation for its low sunlight inactivation rate’ published in Biologia.

KARACHI, May 9: Experts speaking at a seminar on Saturday said that swine flu (A H1N1) virus, if at all entered the city, would have little chance to survive or surge owing to the hot and humid environment here. However, they warned, health providers were required to remain alert till the advent of winter.

Dr Iftikhar Ahmed and Dr Rafique Khanani, both associated with the Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS), were expressing their views at the seminar on “Swine Influenza”, a virus that has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organisation (WHO). The virus, after its outbreak in Mexico, has infected more than 2,500 people in about 25 countries and already caused dozens of deaths.

Continue reading Experts say swine flu virus not likely to strike in hot Karachi weather

You can learn more about the H1N1 flu, more commonly known as swine flu, from the following resources-

• The Lancet H1N1 Flu Resource Center
• CDC H1N1 Flu Website
• Questions and Answers about H1N1 – World Bank
• Swine influenza A (H1N1) Outbreak in US & Mexico: Potential for a Pandemic – Lecture by Rashid A. Chotani, MD, MPH, DTM, Adjunct Assistant Professor, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (HSUHS)
• The Flu and How to Avoid it – UPMC

Free vaccination in Lyari Town Karachi by ICSP on 19th April, 2009.

Free Vaccination in Lyari Town, Karachi15 pictures

Like previous years, Infection Control Society Pakistan (ICSP) has planned a three day program to commemorate the ‘World Health Day’ 2009. This program is being organized in collaboration with The Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS) and Karachi Press Club (KPC), in the premises of Karachi Press Club.

The first program was a free Hepatitis B and C screening camp held at KPC.

Dr.Majeed Chotto, program manager Hepatitis Control Program Sindh, addressing the inauguration of the camp said that it is very encouraging to see institutions like Karachi Press Club and organizations like Infection control Society Pakistan working hand in hand for the important cause of disease prevention.

He informed the audience that this program was Chief Ministers’ initiative for Hepatitis Free Sindh. He said that MOUs have been signed with the Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi and Liaqat University of Health and Medical Sciences, Jamshoro for providing PCR test for Hepatitis B and C patients. He said that Jail inmates are also being screened for Hepatitis B and C under this program. Facilities for diagnosis and treatment of hepatitis B and C, including Interferon, are being provided free of cost. He informed that up to now 2000 jail inmates and 2000 persons from the general population have been provided PCR test. Hepatitis Control Program Sindh is paying Rs.1800/- for each test to the collaborating universities.

Dr.Syed Ali Anjum, deputy program manager, Hepatitis Control Program Sindh, said that journalists are a very important and responsible community of the society and it is commendable that KPC and ICSP have joined hands in this noble cause of public health importance.

Like previous years, Infection Control Society Pakistan (ICSP) has planned a three day program to commemorate the ‘World Health Day’ 2009. This program is being organized in collaboration with The Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS) and Karachi Press Club (KPC), in the premises of Karachi Press Club.

The first program was a free Hepatitis B and C screening camp held at KPC.

Mr. A.H.Khanzada said that it is heartening to see that this activity is being held at KPC. He said that journalists are a very important and responsible community of the society and it is commendable that KPC has collaborated in this noble cause of Public Health importance.

Mr.Wajid Ali of ICSP said Hepatitis B and C is increasing day by day. These diseases are usually diagnosed very late when a lot of damage to liver has already occurred. That is why ICSP advocates for prevention and early diagnosis of Hepatitis and other infectious diseases. Since Hepatitis B is incurable and the treatment of Hepatitis C is very long, expensive and not very successful, it is very important that these diseases are diagnosed early and that is the main purpose of holding this free screening camp.

Professor Masood Hameed Khan, Vice Chancellor Dow University of Health Sciences in his address said that Pakistan is among those countries where Hepatitis B and C are prevalent at a high rate. This is so because we have not been able to control the various factors responsible for spread of these infectious diseases. He said that for the diagnosis and treatment of one hepatitis C patient more than one lac rupees are needed. Considering the seriousness and economic loss due to this disease we must eliminate the factor responsible i.e. unsafe blood transfusion, IV drug abuse, lack of infection control in health care. He lauded the efforts of ICSP and KPC for fulfilling their responsibility in the prevention of such diseases.

Pictures from the Hepatitis Screening Camp held on April 5, 2009-