Ghafoor Shoro – BOL News Staging

PMA concerned over reporting of polio case from Balochistan

March 15, 2024 by Abid Khan

KARACHI: Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) is very much concerned about a Polio case reported from Dera Bugti district of Balochistan.

This marks the first polio case reported in the country in 2024. It highlights the urgent need for enhanced vaccination efforts and increased public awareness.

It is disheartening to see the first polio case which indicates the gaps in our immunization efforts and underscores the importance of ensuring that every child receives the polio vaccine. PMA urged parents to cooperate with healthcare workers and vaccinate their children.

Polio is a highly infectious disease that mainly affects children under the age of five. It causes paralysis, permanent disability, and, in severe cases, can be fatal. Despite substantial progress in the fight against polio, Pakistan remains one of the two countries where the disease is still endemic.

Hon. Secretary General, PMA(Centre) Dr Abdul Ghafoor Shoro emphasized that this recent case serves as a wake-up call for health authorities, frontline healthcare workers, and communities across Pakistan. The only way to protect children from polio is through vaccination. Consistent and widespread immunization campaigns are critical to eradicating this disease once and for all.

He calls upon the government, healthcare authorities, civil society organizations, and religious leaders to join forces and renew their commitment to the polio eradication campaign. Together, they must work towards ensuring that every child in Pakistan is protected against this preventable disease.

Furthermore, the Dr Shoro emphasized the role of public awareness in addressing vaccine hesitancy and dispelling misconceptions surrounding polio immunization. Efforts must be made to inform communities about the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine, encouraging them to fully participate in vaccination campaigns.

Vaccination efforts must be intensified while simultaneously ensuring the safety of healthcare workers and communities.

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PMA condemns issuance of arrest warrants of health employees

February 2, 2024February 2, 2024 by Abid Khan

KARACHI: The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) has strongly condemned the issuance of arrest warrants against 267 employees of the Sindh Health Department by Returning Officer (RO), PC-110 South. These employees allegedly did not attend their election duties. The association has deemed this act as unjust and unreasonable.

Hon. Secretary General, Pakistan Medical Association (Centre), Dr Abdul Ghafoor Shoro believes that issuing arrest warrants is very unjust and excessive. The concerned authorities should immediately withdraw the warrants issued against healthcare professionals.

He stresses upon authorities to avoid assigning election duties to healthcare providers. We are extremely concerned about the impact this could have on the already strained healthcare system in Sindh.

Dr Shoro emphasized the dedication and commitment of healthcare professionals in serving the public and stated that they deserve respect and appreciation for their tireless efforts. We urge the authorities to address the issue in a fair and just manner, taking into consideration the challenging circumstances faced by healthcare workers.

He also appealed to the government and relevant authorities to ensure the safety, security, and well-being of healthcare professionals, especially during these testing times.

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PMA urges Sindh govt to invest in primary healthcare system

November 9, 2023November 9, 2023 by Abid Khan

He said improving healthcare system will ensure timely medical attention.
Dr Ghafoor Shoro said primary healthcare system is backbone of health sector.
He said govt first improve basic system instead of investing in high-cost machinery.

KARACHI: Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) has emphasized the need for improving the primary healthcare system in the country instead of investing in high-cost machinery for tertiary care without an improvement in the former.

Hon. Secretary General, Pakistan Medical Association (Centre), Dr. Abdul Ghafoor Shoro, said as an organization that promotes healthcare advancement, PMA acknowledges that tertiary care is important, but it believes that the government’s focus should be on the primary healthcare system. Strengthening the primary healthcare system will ensure that people receive timely and adequate medical attention without the need for expensive tertiary care.

He said primary healthcare system is the backbone of the health sector and caters 70- 80% of healthcare in Pakistan. Unfortunately it is weak, and we need to focus on improving it before investing in tertiary care.

Dr Shoro said Pakistan’s and specially in Sindh primary healthcare system lacks basic facilities, and equipment, which forces people to seek treatment at costly tertiary care centers. The current infant mortality rate for Pakistan in 2023 is 55.777 deaths per 1000 live births and 154 women die for every 100,000 live birth, Vector-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue, acute watery diarrhea, cholera, skin diseases, and malnutrition are rising. maternal mortality and pregnancy-related deaths are more prevalent in Sindh Investing in high-cost machinery without first addressing this issue would be a waste of resources.

PMA has recommended that the Sindh government invest in primary healthcare centers, rural clinics, and basic health units. Providing basic health facilities, such as diagnostic labs, clinics, and trained medical staff, will help alleviate the burden on tertiary centers.

PMA is committed to working with the government to improve the healthcare system in Sindh. Our message is clear – let us focus on improving primary healthcare before investing in expensive equipment.

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SHCC imposes Rs 4.2mln fines on quacks

October 3, 2023 by Abid Khan

14th meeting of Anti-Quackery Committee held at SHCC.
A total 64 cases reviewed for imposition of penalties.
A total 4.2m imposed on 64 healthcare establishments.

KARACHI: Sindh Healthcare Commission (SHCC) has imposed Rs 4.2 million penalties on quacks over their involvement in illegal and unethical medical practices in Sindh province.

The 14th meeting of the Anti-Quackery Committee (AQC) was held at SHCC Head Office.

The meeting was chaired by Convener Anti-Quackery Committee Dr. Abdul Ghafoor Shoro, attended by Commissioners Dr. Sajjad Siddiqui and Prof. Dr Shoaib Gangat, alongside CEO -SHCC, Director Anti Quackery and team members including Deputy Director and Assistant Directors.

Under Section 28(1) of SHCC Regulations 2017, a total of 64 cases were reviewed by the Board of Commissioners for imposition of penalties.

A total fine of PKR 4.2 million was imposed on 64 healthcare establishments (HCEs), with orders to issue warnings and file FIR (First Information Report) on a case-to-case basis.

‘A robust process of follow-ups be adopted with a timeline to ensure compliance’: stated the Committee Chair Dr. Abdul Ghafoor Shoro. Further directions were issued to the team to ensure stringent penalties on “impersonators” – quacks impersonating doctors.

The committee recommended that a special plan be implemented for an increase in the process of lodgment of FIRs (First Information Report) on illegal practitioners, involved in repeated illegal de-sealing of HCE’s.

The committee ordered that all practitioners working beyond have to submit proof of qualification / relevant educational documents including verification of degrees through respective councils and SHCC to validate the same.

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PMA demands re-conduct of MDCAT exam

September 16, 2023 by Abid Khan

Dr Shoro said it is important to ensure transparency in exam.
He said irregularities happened during exam truly disheartening.
He hoped PMDC will consider students demand seriously.

KARACHI: Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) expresses serious concern over irregularities during the recent Medical & Dental College Admission Test( MDCAT) exam for medical admission in Pakistan. Many students reported issues such as technical glitches, cheating, and discrepancies in the grading system.

Secretary General, Pakistan Medical Association (Centre), Dr. Abdul Ghafoor Shoro in his statement said it is important to ensure fairness and transparency in the exam process to maintain the credibility and quality of medical education in Pakistan.

He said irregularities, malpractices and technical glitches that happened during the said exam were truly disheartening, and it has caused great anxiety and confusion among the aspiring medical students.

Secretary General PMA said as a student who took the MDCAT, everyone know that it is an essential and competitive exam that will determine the future of thousands of students who aspire to become doctors or dentists. However, the current situation has raised questions about the reliability and fairness of the examination.

He said there have been reports of incorrect and incomplete question papers, insufficient time to answer the questions, online cheating and other technical glitches which led to frustration and loss of confidence among the students. Even in the official statement released by the administration, it was acknowledged that there were problems experienced during the examination.

Dr Shoro demanded to re-conduct of the MDCAT exam. It will help restore the confidence of students and ensure that everyone has an equal and fair chance to demonstrate their abilities.

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