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Express Tribune
15-05-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
Vascular surgeons shortage threatens limb-saving care
The metropolitan city is facing a debilitating shortage of vascular surgeons, jeopardising timely medical care for those requiring urgent vascular intervention for traumatic injuries, The Express Tribune has learnt. Presently, only a few government-run hospitals in the metropolis have the capacity to perform specialised vascular procedures, and many victims of traffic accidents or industrial mishaps are at risk of amputation due to delayed treatment. According to hospital officials and medical experts, two vascular surgeons are available at the Civil Hospital Trauma Centre and JPMC each, while Dow University of Health Sciences and the National Medical Centre each have only one specialist. Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, the third largest public hospital in Karachi, has no vascular surgery department altogether, despite regularly handling road traffic accident cases in its emergency department. JPMC's Executive Director Dr Shahid Rasool told The Express Tribune that over 300 trauma cases are reported daily at the hospital's emergency department, with 15 to 20 of these patients at high risk of limb loss due to arterial damage. Although a vascular surgery unit has recently been set up at JPMC and is staffed around the clock, Dr Rasool said that the current number of specialists is insufficient to manage the patient load effectively. Vascular surgeons play a critical role in trauma centres, where rapid intervention can mean the difference between saving and amputating a limb. However, public hospitals in the metropolis are struggling to attract young medics to this super-specialty. The lengthy and demanding training - requiring dual Fellowships of the College of Physicians and Surgeons (FCPS) in general surgery and vascular surgery - is often a deterrent. Moreover, there is limited awareness and inadequate training infrastructure to support professional development in this field. Speaking to The Express Tribune, Dr Fahad Memon, a vascular surgeon at the Civil Hospital Trauma Centre spoke about the wide scope of vascular surgery, which includes not only open surgical procedures but also minimally invasive endovascular treatments. "Every day we handle cases involving dialysis fistula creation or repair, diabetic foot ulcers, leg bypasses, angioplasty, carotid artery disease, varicose veins, and vascular tumors," he said. "These are time-sensitive conditions, and delays can result in irreversible damage or amputation." While these procedures can cost anywhere between Rs800,000 to Rs2.5 million in private hospitals, government institutions provide such treatments free of cost. However, due to the lack of specialists and infrastructure, many patients are forced to seek expensive private care or face the loss of limbs. Currently, the number of qualified vascular surgeons remains low. The Aga Khan University Hospital has three to four specialists, Civil Hospital has two, and Dow University and NMC have one each. Among the senior vascular surgeons, Dr Zaid Sufi and Dr Iram are considered among the most experienced in the field. Most other practitioners are assistant professors or in early stages of their specialisation. Medical experts have urged the government to invest in developing the field of vascular surgery. They stress the need for expanding vascular departments in major trauma centres, particularly at institutions like Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, and for creating structured training programs and mentorship opportunities to attract young doctors.
Express Tribune
15-05-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
Non-practicing women doctors may work online
HBL had around 23 million customers out of the total of 62 million as on March 31, 2021. PHOTO: FILE Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS) has launched e-Doctor Phase 2.0 programme to train female doctors, who had left practice due to marriage or family obligations, in providing consultation online via smartphones. The programme aimed to reintegrate the women doctors back into the medical field was initiated in 2018 through a partnership between DUHS and Educast. Due to its vast potential, the project received financial support from the Islamic Development Bank. As per reports, over 30,000 female MBBS graduates in Pakistan are not practicing medicine, resulting in an estimated loss of approximately Rs35 billion to the national treasury. In the first phase, over 1,500 female doctors from 27 countries were trained in collaboration with Germany and Stanford University. The e-Doctor programme provided healthcare services in countries such as Afghanistan, Yemen, Palestine, and Pakistan. During Pakistan's recent floods, the programme provided immediate digital medical assistance to affected areas. The e-Doctor services were also utilized on the Bridge platform for elderly care. The program will provide doctors with modern online certification, observational training at partner clinics, and access to virtual clinics, enabling the patients to consult doctors via smartphones. Prof Dr Jahan Ara Hasan, Acting Vice Chancellor of DUHS, said that this is not just a programme but a movement that is becoming a means for female doctors to reconnect with medicine in a dignified manner.
Arab News
11-04-2025
- Health
- Arab News
Pakistani religious scholars say Islam permits organ donation after death
KARACHI: A group of prominent Pakistani religious scholars and medical professionals have declared organ donation after death permissible in Islam, a leading medical college said on Thursday, amid an effort to tackle low donation numbers due to religious concerns on the matter. While many Muslims consider organ donation permissible, there are varying interpretations and opinions among scholars and individuals. Some believe that the human body is sacred and should not be harmed, even in death, which can lead them to oppose organ donation. Others interpret verses in the Qur'an and Hadith that emphasize the value of saving lives, leading them to support organ donation as a compassionate act. Pakistan faces a significant shortage of organ donors. The demand for organs far exceeds the availability, leading to long waiting times and increased mortality rates for patients in need of transplants. Apart from cultural and religious beliefs and lack of awareness and education, the shortage is also fueled by Pakistan lacking the infrastructure and resources to effectively support deceased organ donation programs. While organ donations, particularly from family members, are more common in Pakistan, the country lacks a proper system for deceased organ donation. 'Donating organs after death, with proper consent and ethical compliance, is not only allowed but also considered an act of sadaqah jariyah (ongoing charity) in Islamic teachings,' Dow University of Health Sciences said in a joint declaration following an event on the ethical and religious dimensions of brain death and organ transplantation in Islam. All the scholars agreed to raise awareness among Muslims about the 'permissibility and spiritual reward' of organ donation, it added. The statement quoted Chairman of the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII), Allama Raghib Hussain Naeemi, as saying organ donation could only take place with 'prior consent or family approval' after brain death was confirmed. Another scholar Mufti Ramzan Sialvi said organ donation was only permissible if the dignity of the deceased was preserved. Doctors estimate around 50,000 lives could be saved annually in Pakistan through organ donation, the statement added, calling for widespread awareness to promote the practice. By aligning medical ethics with Islamic teachings, experts hope to encourage more Pakistanis to register as donors and help address the country's critical shortage of transplant organs.
Express Tribune
15-02-2025
- Express Tribune
'DUHS controller exams involved in MDCAT paper leak'
KARACHI: The FIA probe has revealed the involvement of the controller examinations of Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS) and several other people in the MDCAT paper leak. The test was held on September 22, 2024. An inquiry was conducted on October 18, 2024 on the complaint of Bilawal Mallah, which proved that the Controller of Examinations Fawad Shaikh and other people were allegedly involved in the paper leak. Investigation revealed that the paper was shared through WhatsApp groups and social media platforms. The forensic report also revealed evidence of financial transactions, with WhatsApp chats, voice notes. According to the report, the Controller of Examinations, Fawad Shaikh, did not implement security protocols that led to the paper leak. Due to the negligence on part of Manthar Ali and Mohammad Farooq, the unauthorised use of mobile phones continued, resulting in the paper leaked during the printing. The investigation also revealed that the accused sold the papers against hundreds of thousands of rupees, raising question on the transparency of the examination. Arrests of many people are expected. FIA has registered the case under various provisions of PECA 2016 and PPC. The scam has jeopardised the future of thousands of merit-based students. Experts say drastic reforms are necessary to ensure transparency in the entrance test system.
