Latest news with #DistrictHealthAuthority
Express Tribune
17 hours ago
- Health
- Express Tribune
Cervical cancer prevention drive on the cards
As part of Pakistan's ongoing national immunisation programme to protect children from twelve life-threatening diseases, a new and critical initiative is being launched to vaccinate girls aged 9 to 15 against cervical cancer — a highly fatal yet preventable disease. The vaccination campaign is set to begin in Rawalpindi on September 18, with the District Health Authority (DHA) already initiating the training of master trainers in preparation. Cervical cancer, primarily caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), carries a staggering mortality rate of 85%. Health experts emphasise that a single dose of the vaccine is sufficient to provide lasting immunity against the virus, offering a powerful defence against one of the most lethal forms of cancer affecting women globally. Until now, Pakistan's immunization efforts have focused on protecting children from twelve major diseases — tuberculosis, diphtheria, measles, whooping cough, tetanus, pneumonia, polio, diarrhoea, typhoid, TB, and hepatitis B. However, the rising number of cervical cancer cases, particularly among young girls, has raised alarm across public health circles. Pakistan now ranks seventh globally in cervical cancer prevalence. Medical experts stress that early vaccination — between the ages of 9 and 15 — not only strengthens the immune response but also offers long-term protection before potential exposure to the virus. According to Dr Ehsan Ghani, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of DHA Rawalpindi, the campaign will be rolled out in phases, beginning in Punjab and Sindh, and later expanding to Islamabad, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), and Balochistan. To ensure smooth execution, training programmes for vaccination teams are already underway. Master trainers are being equipped with specialised knowledge, and a comprehensive micro-planning framework has been finalised. Teams will function at three administrative levels — Union Council Medical Officers (UC MOs), Deputy District Health Officers (DDEHOs), and District Health Officers (DHOs) — to ensure coordinated implementation. The initiative will be closely monitored by international partners, including UNICEF and the World Health Organisation (WHO), to uphold global standards of safety, efficiency, and effectiveness.
Express Tribune
17 hours ago
- Health
- Express Tribune
Anti-dengue drive ramped up
In response to the increase in dengue mosquito breeding during the rainy season, the District Health Authority (DHA) has accelerated its dengue prevention efforts. To curb the spread of dengue, the authority has significantly enhanced indoor and outdoor surveillance, with field teams focusing on intensified larvae detection and elimination activities. "Wherever larvae are found, we are conducting Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS), and in areas where adult mosquitoes are detected, fogging is also being carried out as recommended by entomologists," said DHA Chief Dr Asif Arbab Niazi. He said the authority was targeting daily hotspots, such as open plots and areas with stagnant water to prevent larvae development.
Express Tribune
10-07-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
Two more identified in hospital video scandal
Two more individuals allegedly involved in making inappropriate videos of female patients at Kahuta THQ Hospital have been identified and are currently under investigation by the District Health Authority's inquiry committee. The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) had previously arrested Shakil, a radiology machinist, and Zainul Abideen, a ward servant at Tehsil Headquarters Hospital (THQ) Kahuta, for harassing female patients and recording illicit videos. Shakil is also accused of blackmailing women using the footage. The arrests, made on July 9, 2025, followed a complaint that led to the filing of an FIR under the PECA Act of 2016, marking a significant breach of medical ethics and public trust. Kahuta Health Authority CEO Dr Asif Arbab Khan Niazi, in a statement to the APP on Thursday, revealed that the issue dates back to 2022, when Shakil was warned and monitored by male and female officials under Dr Zaheer's supervision. Despite an earlier inquiry and punishment, Shakil did not reform his behaviour. "Recently, a complaint with the videos was submitted to the FIA, leading to the arrest of Shakil and another individual. We've suspended them, launched a new inquiry, and also suspended two other staff members who knew about the videos but failed to report them. The department has ordered strict punishment to prevent such incidents in the future," the CEO stated. "We have expanded the inquiry, and two more employees are being investigated for not informing the hospital management despite being aware of the illicit activities," he added. "The health authority will not tolerate any malicious acts by hospital staff." The initial inquiry into the allegations confirmed that Shakil acted inappropriately with a female patient in the X-ray room, while Zain recorded the incident. A three-member inquiry committee has been formed by the DHA.
Express Tribune
07-07-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
Privatisation deadline for health units extended
Patients from rural localities suffer as 30 per cent of posts in 16 basic health units lie vacant. PHOTO: FILE The District Health Authority has extended the deadline to July 11 for the privatisation of 1,418 Basic Health Units and Rural Health Centres in its third privatisation phase. Initially, applications were invited until July 7, but due to low submission ratesattributed to the Muharram holidaysthe deadline has now been extended. The privatisation process is scheduled to be completed by July 31. Following the sale of these health units, all government-approved positions are being cancelled. Notices have also begun to be issued to doctors and nurses instructing them to vacate government housing. The health department plans to complete the privatisation of major public hospitals in Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan, Gujranwala, and Rawalpindi by June 30, 2026. The process has already begun in Lahore. According to government policy, only district headquarters hospitals and tehsil-level hospitals will remain under public control. All other public hospitals will be privatised in phases. To date, 23,000 BHUs and RHCs have already been sold, and all temporary and contract staff at these facilities have been laid off.
Express Tribune
23-06-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
'Legislation key to support family planning'
The gap between Pakistan's economic growth rate and its rapidly increasing population is just one per cent, experts warned during a seminar held in Rawalpindi. They described the unchecked population boom as a "blast" that has already occurred, severely affecting progress in health, education, employment, and overall national prosperity. Speakers urged the public to become champions of family planning and help the country escape the looming threat of overpopulation. They also called on lawmakers to introduce effective legislation to support family planning efforts. Suggestions included offering incentive packages to parents who practice family planning, ensuring better opportunities in health, education, and employment for their children. The seminar, titled Family Planning Champions, was organised by Greenstar's Challenge Initiative Programme in collaboration with the District Health Authority. It featured contributions from doctors, civil society members, journalists, and social activists. Dr Asif Arbab Niazi, Chief Executive of the District Health Authority Rawalpindi, Dr Naveed Akhtar Malik, District Coordinator IRMNCH, Shireen Sukhan from the Population Welfare Department, and Greenstar's Alia were among the key speakers. A robust Q&A session was also held. Dr Niazi and Dr Malik stated that family planning champions are true benefactors of the nation. They emphasised that no country can achieve development, security, and prosperitynor access to science, technology, quality healthcare, or educationwithout population control. Pakistan now ranks second only to Afghanistan in terms of rapid population growth. While its population growth rate stands at 2.5pc, economic growth is at 3.8pc. In contrast, China's growth rate is just 0.5pc, despite having a significantly larger population. Speakers stressed the need for awareness alongside access to family planning services. Encouragingly, from June 2022 to May 2025, around 350,000 clients have availed family planning services in 15 districts of Punjab. The seminar concluded with a consensus on the need to raise voices in legislative assemblies through elected representatives and to push for lawmaking around effective family planning. It was also proposed that making all contraceptive methods tax-free would encourage broader adoption.
