Adriana Smith's baby delivered by C-section after mother was declared brain-dead during pregnancy
Adriana Smith, the 30-year-old Georgia woman who was declared brain-dead earlier this year, was removed from life support on Tuesday after her baby was born via Caesarean section.
The procedure took place on Friday evening at Emory University Hospital Midtown in Atlanta. The newborn, named Chance, weighed one pound, thirteen ounces and is currently being cared for in the neonatal intensive care unit.
Smith's mother, April Newkirk, confirmed that her daughter was about six months pregnant when she was removed from life support. Her medical ordeal began after severe headaches led to a hospital visit, where she was treated and discharged without further testing. She was later admitted to Emory, where blood clots were found following a CT scan.
Smith's case has drawn national attention amid Georgia's strict abortion laws, particularly the Living Infants Fairness and Equality (LIFE) Act. The legislation recognises fetal personhood, potentially complicating medical decisions after 'a detectable human heartbeat' is present which is possible as early as six weeks. Smith was nine weeks pregnant when she started experiencing symptoms .
The case has reignited political and ethical debates around reproductive rights and medical care. U.S. Representative Nikema Williams is leading federal efforts to clarify patient rights and repeal restrictive state laws that interfere with end-of-life and reproductive care.
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Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Express Tribune
Adriana Smith's baby delivered by C-section after mother was declared brain-dead during pregnancy
Adriana Smith, the 30-year-old Georgia woman who was declared brain-dead earlier this year, was removed from life support on Tuesday after her baby was born via Caesarean section. The procedure took place on Friday evening at Emory University Hospital Midtown in Atlanta. The newborn, named Chance, weighed one pound, thirteen ounces and is currently being cared for in the neonatal intensive care unit. Smith's mother, April Newkirk, confirmed that her daughter was about six months pregnant when she was removed from life support. Her medical ordeal began after severe headaches led to a hospital visit, where she was treated and discharged without further testing. She was later admitted to Emory, where blood clots were found following a CT scan. Smith's case has drawn national attention amid Georgia's strict abortion laws, particularly the Living Infants Fairness and Equality (LIFE) Act. The legislation recognises fetal personhood, potentially complicating medical decisions after 'a detectable human heartbeat' is present which is possible as early as six weeks. Smith was nine weeks pregnant when she started experiencing symptoms . The case has reignited political and ethical debates around reproductive rights and medical care. U.S. Representative Nikema Williams is leading federal efforts to clarify patient rights and repeal restrictive state laws that interfere with end-of-life and reproductive care.
Express Tribune
19-05-2025
- Express Tribune
Nishtar officials to face action over HIV case
A joint inquiry committee has submitted its findings to the chief minister of Punjab following an investigation into the infection of 31 dialysis patients with HIV at Nishtar Hospital. The inquiry has recommended disciplinary action against several officials, including the removal of Vice Chancellor of Nishtar Medical University, Dr Mehnaz Khakwani, for administrative negligence. The recommendations, made under the Punjab Employees Efficiency, Discipline and Accountability (PEDA) Act, follow directives from Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif. The case came to light in October 2024 when over 20 dialysis patients were initially found to be HIV positive. That number later rose to 31 over four months after further screenings. Following the outbreak, the provincial government suspended key medical staff including Dr Ghulam Abbas, former Head of Nephrology; Dr Muhammad Kazim, former Medical Superintendent (MS) of Nishtar Hospital; and faculty members Dr Poonam Khalid and Dr Maleeha Johar. Head Nurse Naheed Parveen and Dr Alamgir Malik were also suspended, while a formal PEDA inquiry was initiated in December 2024. As per the inquiry report, Vice Chancellor Dr Khakwani failed to implement and monitor standard operating procedures (SOPs) across the hospital, and did not take timely action after the incident surfaced. As a result, the committee has recommended her removal and one-year suspension from public service. Former Head of Nephrology Dr Ghulam Abbas has been accused of withholding information about HIV-positive cases and failing to issue necessary written directives. The committee has recommended his compulsory retirement. Dr Poonam Khalid, Associate Professor of Nephrology, is alleged to have been frequently absent and negligent in ward management. A three-year demotion and a fine equal to one month's basic salary have been recommended in her case. The committee found that Dr Muhammad Kazim, the former MS, failed to promptly address the outbreak and was appointed without proper process as an 18-grade officer in a 20-grade position. The committee has recommended censure and withholding of his annual increment for one year. Meanwhile, Dr. Maleeha Johar, Dr. Alamgir Malik, and Head Nurse Naheed Parveen were acquitted of charges. Separately, the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) Multan has raised concerns about the integrity of the inquiry. In an emergency meeting chaired by Dr Masoodur Rauf Haraj, the PMA alleged that the inquiry failed to determine how the virus was transmitted and focused instead on penalizing Nishtar Medical University's first female Vice Chancellor. The PMA claimed that the inquiry report may have been influenced by a senior university officer with alleged aspirations to become the next vice chancellor. According to the association, this officer reportedly had connections with the inquiry convener and predicted the report's contents in advance. The PMA also pointed out that no genetic sequencing has been conducted to confirm whether HIV transmission occurred through dialysis procedures, and questioned the absence of action against unauthorised medical practitioners.
Business Recorder
03-05-2025
- Business Recorder
BMP suggests uniform 1pc sales tax rate on all medicines
LAHORE: As the federal government enters the final phase of preparing the federal budget for 2025–26, the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry's (FPCCI) Businessmen Panel (BMP) has strongly urged the government to eliminate tax discrimination between different categories of medicines. The panel called for applying a uniform 1% sales tax rate on all medicines—whether allopathic, homeopathic, or herbal—to ensure fairness, accessibility, and consistency in healthcare taxation. The issue was discussed in detail during the meeting between Mian Anjum Nisar and a delegation from the Homeopathic Pharmac eutical and Chemist Association Pakistan (HPCA), who met him in the lead of Dr. Amanullah Bismil, Patron-in-Chief of the HPCA. The delegation included Dr. Ahsan Waris, Dr. Iqbal Hanif, Dr. Kashif Masood, and Saifurrahman Safi. The representatives shared their concerns regarding the unequal taxation structure, highlighting how it discourages the growth of the alternative medicine industry and limits consumer access to affordable treatment options. Chairman of the Businessmen Panel and former FPCCI president Mian Anjum Nisar pointed out that a significant disparity currently exists in the taxation system governing pharmaceutical and health-related products. Allopathic medicines—conventional pharmaceutical drugs—are taxed at a concessional rate of 1%, while homeopathic and herbal medicines are subject to a hefty 18% general sales tax (GST). This difference, he argued, is unjust and harmful, creating a disproportionate burden on consumers and manufacturers of non-allopathic medicines. 'The current tax system promotes inequality within the healthcare sector,' Anjum Nisar said. 'On the one hand, the government claims to prioritize public health and affordability; on the other hand, it penalizes manufacturers and users of homeopathic and herbal medicines with an unjustifiable tax rate. This contradictory policy undermines equitable healthcare access.' Dr. Bismil explained that the issue stems from outdated provisions in the Eighth Schedule of the Sales Tax Act, 1990, particularly Entry No. 81, which only refers to drugs registered under the now-repealed Drugs Act of 1976. That Act has since been replaced by the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) Act, 2012, which regulates all therapeutic goods—allopathic, homeopathic, herbal, and nutraceutical. According to Section 32 of the DRAP Act, its provisions take precedence over earlier or conflicting laws. However, the sales tax framework has not been updated to reflect this change, resulting in a legal loophole that excludes non-allopathic medicines from receiving the same tax relief as allopathic drugs. Dr. Bismil urged the Ministry of Finance and the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to address this gap by amending the Eighth Schedule so that all DRAP-registered medicines are treated equally under the tax regime. He stressed that the amendment should be included in the Finance Bill 2025–26 and take effect from July 1, 2025. 'This is the ideal time to correct this policy anomaly,' said Dr. Bismil. 'As budget preparations are underway, the government must take this opportunity to demonstrate its commitment to inclusive healthcare, fair taxation, and support for local industries.' Anjum Nisar supported the delegation's demands and assured them he would take the issue to the highest level to seek a resolution. He emphasized that millions of Pakistanis—especially those in rural areas and low-income groups—rely on homeopathic and herbal treatments. By taxing these products at a higher rate, the government is restricting access for the underprivileged and effectively pushing patients toward more expensive alternatives. He further highlighted the economic potential of the alternative medicine sector, which has demonstrated remarkable resilience despite facing regulatory neglect and tax pressures. 'Pakistan has a rich heritage in traditional medicine systems, including homeopathy, Unani, and herbal formulations,' he said. 'If supported through progressive policy and tax fairness, these industries can contribute billions to the national economy and expand into export markets across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.' Anjum Nisar added that a uniform 1% tax rate across all medicines would promote transparency, compliance, and a healthier business environment. It would allow all sectors of the healthcare industry to grow side by side, encouraging innovation and ensuring that patients have access to diverse treatment options at fair prices. He warned that maintaining the current dual tax system would continue to distort the market, discourage formalization, and hurt small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that make up the bulk of the homeopathic and herbal medicine industry. 'This is not just a tax issue—it's a healthcare issue and an economic opportunity,' Nisar concluded. 'The government must seize this moment to harmonize the taxation structure, promote equity in healthcare, and support the broader goal of industrial development in Pakistan.' Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
