NIH issues advisory on Human Leptospirosis

Fri, 10 Nov 2023, 9:52 PM

ISLAMABAD, Nov 10 (APP):The National Institute of Health (NIH) issued awareness and communication alert for Human Leptospirosis on Friday.

According to NIH’s Centre for Disease Control, the objective of this advisory is to alert and facilitate the health authorities and other stakeholders for ensuring early detection, timely management and laboratory detection of Leptospirosis cases.

The advisory said that Leptospirosis is a rare zoonotic bacterial disease caused by the bacterium belonging to Leptospira genus, transmits from animals mostly rodents, pets, cattle and other wild animals to humans through contact with infected animal excreta.

Leptospirosis occurs worldwide but is more common in tropical and subtropical areas with high rainfall.

In recent years, cases of human and animal leptospirosis have been reported in numerous countries in the Middle East. However, sporadic cases are reported in Pakistan since past few years.

The disease is found mainly wherever humans come into contact with the urine of infected animals or a urine-polluted environment.

It is an occupational hazard for many people who work outdoors or with animals or water-based activities.

Person-to-person transmission is very rare, there may be individuals who have been exposed to a common source.

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister for Human Rights and Women Empowerment, Ms. Mushaal Hussein Mullick calls on Dr. Mohammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, Chairman of Organization of Muslim Scholars and Secretary General of the Muslim World League at his office

Zia Ur Rehman

Fri, 10 Nov 2023, 9:47 PM

APP51-101123 RIYADH: November 10 - Special Assistant to the Prime Minister for Human Rights and Women Empowerment, Ms. Mushaal Hussein Mullick calls on Dr. Mohammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, Chairman of Organization of Muslim Scholars and Secretary General of the Muslim World League at his office. APP/ABB

Balochistan CM condoles on death of paramedical staff’s Ghaffar Khan

Ali Ali

Fri, 10 Nov 2023, 9:44 PM

QUETTA, Nov 10 (APP):Balochistan Caretaker Chief Minister on Friday expressed sorrow over the death of the Paramedical Staff of Civil Hospital Ghaffar Khan Achakzai who was affected from Congo virus.

He also paid homage to the services of all the frontline healthcare workers who were martyred in the line of duty.

The CM said that Shaheed Ghaffar Khan Achakzai performed his duties bravely for public service with the aim to control the spread of the Congo virus.

The victim Ghaffar Khan was shifted to Karachi where he was undergoing treatment at the Infectious Disease Center Karachi, he said and added that treatment of doctors and health care workers were affected by Congo virus in Karachi.

Caretaker Chief Minister Mir Ali Mardan Khan Domki said that he was an equal participant in the grief of the relatives of Shaheed Ghaffar Khan Achakzai.

Caretaker Federal Minister for Finance, Revenue, and Economic Affairs, Dr. Shamshad Akhtar presides over a meeting of the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet

Zia Ur Rehman

Fri, 10 Nov 2023, 9:42 PM

APP50-101123 ISLAMABAD: November 10 - Caretaker Federal Minister for Finance, Revenue, and Economic Affairs, Dr. Shamshad Akhtar presides over a meeting of the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet. APP/ABB

President Dr. Arif Alvi talking to the President of Palestine, Mr. Mahmoud Abbas, at Aiwan-e-Sadr

Zia Ur Rehman

Fri, 10 Nov 2023, 9:41 PM

APP49-101123 ISLAMABAD: November 10 - President Dr. Arif Alvi talking to the President of Palestine, Mr. Mahmoud Abbas, at Aiwan-e-Sadr. APP/ABB

Minister hails govt’s steps to combat smog

Ali Ali

Fri, 10 Nov 2023, 9:36 PM

LAHORE, Nov 10 (APP):Caretaker Provincial Transport Minister Ibrahim Hasan Murad has lauded the proactive measures taken by the Punjab government, coupled with timely rains, resulting in a substantial reduction in smog.

In a statement on Friday, he emphasized that sustained improvement hinges on the collaborative efforts of the public aligning with governmental initiatives.

The minister anticipates positive impact on smog in the coming days, due to the reduction in traffic on roads in four days. He refers to a report stating that 70 percent of smog emanates from public transport, including rickshaws, motorcycle-rickshaws and motorbikes. In light of this, he earnestly appealed to the public, urging them to refrain from plying smoke-emitting vehicles, cautioning of stringent fines for non-compliance.

Expressing optimism regarding the Air Quality Index (AQI) maintaining a favorable level in the coming week, Murad underscored the imperative role of public cooperation. He asserted that controlling smog is a collective responsibility, with each individual playing a crucial part. He urged the public to wholeheartedly cooperate, saying that the government alone cannot tackle the challenge of smog.

ECC approves extension of GOP guarantee ceiling worth Rs 100 bn in favour of PSO

NNPS Desk

Fri, 10 Nov 2023, 9:31 PM

ISLAMABAD, Nov 10 (APP): The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) approved a summary submitted by the Ministry of Energy for the extension of the GOP guarantee ceiling worth Rs100 billion in favour of PSO till December 2024, subject to the approval of terms and conditions of each financing facility by the Finance Division upon renewal.

Caretaker Minister for Finance, Revenue, and Economic Affairs, Dr Shamshad Akhtar presided over a meeting of the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet, said a press release issued here on Friday.

The meeting considered the summaries submitted by various ministries, including Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Ministry of Energy (Power Division), Ministry of Energy (Petroleum Division), Ministry of Poverty Alleviation & Social Safety and Ministry of Defence.

The ECC also discussed the summary submitted by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs regarding the “Revision of Lighthouse Dues”.

The ECC, after a detailed discussion, decided to revise the Lighthouse dues from Rs. 7/ NRT to Rs. 20/NRT, under Section 10(1) of the Lighthouse Act, 1927.

A proposal for disbursement of Rs 20 billion credited to the Federal Government Account by the Finance Department Government of Punjab for further disbursement to Green Corporative Initiative (Pvt) for Green Pakistan Initiative was also discussed.

The ECC also approved the disbursement with the observation that the provincial governments may directly engage with companies operating under the Green Pakistan Initiative for future disbursements.

The ECC also took up a summary submitted by the Ministry of Energy regarding “Uniform Quarterly Tariff Adjustments for K-Electric Consumers at par with XWDISCOs 2nd & 3rd Quarterly FY 2023”.

After detailed discussion, it was decided by the ECC that the tariff rationalization by way of adjustments for K-Electric in line with the uniform QTA application guidelines already issued to NEPRA, shall be applicable on the consumption of July, August, and September 2023 to be recovered from consumers of K-Electric in December 2023, January 2024, and February 2024, respectively.

Moreover, the application of XWDISCOs’ 2nd QTA of Rs. 0.4689/unit, already approved for K-Electric consumers, in line with the uniform QTA application guidelines already issued to NEPRA, shall be applicable on the consumption of April, May, and June 2023 to be recovered from consumers of K-Electric in December 2023, January 2024, and February 2024, respectively.

Another summary submitted by the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation & Social Safety regarding the “Grant of Special Relief Package for Daily Wage Workers on Chaman Border” was also considered.

After detailed discussion and deliberation, the ECC asked BISP to examine the cases of 8,000 registered daily wage workers employed at the Chaman border to see whether they were already in its system and provide support to the eligible ones from its allocated budget in consultation with the Finance Department, Government of Balochistan for later reimbursement of the amount to be spent on providing six-months support to the daily wage workers.

The summary submitted by the Ministry of Interior regarding Technical Supplementary Grant amounting to Rs. 47.45 million within the sanctioned budget, for repair and maintenance, during CFY 2023-24, was considered and approved.

ECC also considered a summary submitted by the Ministry of Information Technology & Telecommunication and approved the release of Rs 5 billion as bridge finance from the R&D Fund for the Digital Information Infrastructure project.

The meeting was attended by the Minister for Commerce, Industries, & Production Dr. Gohar Ijaz, Minister for Communications, Railways, & Maritime Affairs Shahid Ashraf Tarar, Minister for Power & Petroleum Muhammad Ali (via video link), Minister of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Sami Saeed, Advisor to PM on Finance Dr. Waqar Masood, Chairman SECP, Federal Secretaries, and other senior government officials of the relevant ministries.

Weekly inflation goes up by 0.73 percent

Ali Ali

Fri, 10 Nov 2023, 9:28 PM

ISLAMABAD, Nov 10 (APP):The weekly inflation, measured by the Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI), witnessed an increase of 0.73 percent for the combined consumption group during the week ended on November 08, the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) reported on Friday.

The SPI for the week under review in the above-mentioned group was recorded at 281.12 points as compared to 279.08 points during the past week, according to the PBS data.

As compared to the corresponding week of last year, the SPI for the combined consumption group in the week under review witnessed an increase of 29.86 percent.

The weekly SPI with the base year 2015-16 =100 covers 17 urban centers and 51 essential items for all expenditure groups.

The SPI for the lowest consumption group up to Rs 17,732, increased by 1.05 percent and went up to 289.19 points from last week’s 286.19 points.

The SPI for consumption groups from Rs 17,732-22,888; Rs 22,889-29,517; Rs 29,518-44,175 and above Rs 44,175 increased by 1.02 percent, 0.88 percent, 0.80 percent and 0.59 percent respectively.

During the week, out of 51 items, prices of 20 (39.22%) items increased, 8 (15.69%) items decreased and 23 (45.09%) items remained stable.

The items, which recorded a decrease in their average prices on a week-on-week (WoW) included gur (2.43%), vegetable ghee 1 kg (0.36%), rice irri6/9 (0.34%), vegetable ghee 2.5 kg (0.25%), rice basmati broken (0.13%), cooking oil 5 litre (0.13%), pulse mash (0.12%) and pulse moong (0.05%).

The items that recorded an increase in their average prices on a week-on-week (wow) basis, included tomatoes (15.43%), potatoes (4.47%), wheat flour (2.36%), garlic (2.16%), salt powdered (1.82%), chicken (1.60%), tea packet (0.96%), georgette (0.95%), banana (0.94%) and shirting (0.58%).

On a Year-on-Year (YoY) basis, the items that witnessed decrease in prices included onions (32.27%), tomatoes (9.08%), mustard oil (3.88%), pulse gram (2.80%), and vegetable ghee 1 kg (1.69%).

The commodities which recorded an increase in their average prices on YoY basis included gas charges for q1 (108.38%), cigarettes (94.46%), chilies powder (84.11%), wheat flour (81.23%), rice basmati broken (77.93%), rice irri-6/9 (60.65%), garlic (58.23%) gents sponge chappal (58.05%), sugar (57.57%), gents sandal bata (53.37%), salt (53.02%) and gur (50.88%).

Dist admin issues red-alert to prevent dengue

Ali Ali

Fri, 10 Nov 2023, 9:25 PM

MULTAN, Nov 10 (APP):The district administration on Friday issued a red alert to the health department in order to prevent the spread of dengue.

Deputy Commissioner Rizwan Qadeer chaired a meeting with health department officials to review the steps taken to eliminate dengue larvae and initiatives.

Qadeer directed the officials to go out in the field and take all necessary measures to control the spread of dengue. He also warned of strict action against any negligence.

The DC emphasized the need to pay special attention to disposing of indoor larvae at domestic and commercial sites. He also ordered third-party checking to monitor the activities of the field staff.

Qadeer said that the city has become sensitive to dengue due to the change in weather conditions. He urged the citizens to adopt precautionary measures to avoid dengue mosquitoes.

The DC also stated that the district administration was collecting data from private hospitals’ laboratories to compile an accurate record of dengue patients. He added that assistant commissioners have also been given the task of special checking.

Focal person for Dengue Dr. Atta-ul-Rahman gave a detailed briefing on the campaign during the meeting.

PU ISCS organises seminar on Alzheimer’s disease

Ali Ali

Fri, 10 Nov 2023, 9:18 PM

LAHORE, Nov 10 (APP):Punjab University Institute of Social and Cultural studies Department of Public Health’s Nutrition and Well-Being society in collaboration with Alzheimer’s Pakistan organised a seminar on ‘Alzheimer’s disease awareness lecture & camp; dementia friendly session’ here at its auditorium. The purpose was to inform students about Alzheimer’s disease in Pakistan.

On this occasion, Director ISCS Prof Dr. Rubeena Zakar, Programme manager Alzheimer’s Pakistan Muhammad Salman, Dr Nauman Ali, Dr Muhammad Naveed Tahir, faculty members and a large number of students were present.

In his address, Muhammad Salman shed light on the taboo regarding Alzheimer’s and dementia, and busted some myths. He shared his work on Lahore Day Care Club for patients with memory loss. Dr. Nauman Ali briefed the students about the need of awareness in our society regarding mental illnesses and dementia. Dr. Muhammad Naveed Tahir encouraged the students to be more cooperative and empathetic towards people suffering from dementia and memory loss conditions.

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Associated Press Of Pakistan

NIH issues advisory on Human Leptospirosis

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister for Human Rights and Women Empowerment, Ms. Mushaal Hussein Mullick calls on Dr. Mohammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, Chairman of Organization of Muslim Scholars and Secretary General of the Muslim World League at his office

Balochistan CM condoles on death of paramedical staff’s Ghaffar Khan

Caretaker Federal Minister for Finance, Revenue, and Economic Affairs, Dr. Shamshad Akhtar presides over a meeting of the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet

President Dr. Arif Alvi talking to the President of Palestine, Mr. Mahmoud Abbas, at Aiwan-e-Sadr

Minister hails govt’s steps to combat smog

ECC approves extension of GOP guarantee ceiling worth Rs 100 bn in favour of PSO

Weekly inflation goes up by 0.73 percent

Dist admin issues red-alert to prevent dengue

PU ISCS organises seminar on Alzheimer’s disease

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