Latest news with #PakistanIslamicMedicalAssociation
Business Recorder
2 days ago
- Health
- Business Recorder
PIMA concerned over deteriorating state of public health
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Islamic Medical Association (PIMA) has expressed deep concern over recent media reports and the latest audit report by the international organisation, The Global Fund. These reports highlight alarming figures, including a 400 per cent increase in deaths due to HIV in Pakistan, 70 per cent of drug-resistant TB cases going undiagnosed, and a rise in malaria cases. These statistics clearly reflect the deteriorating state of public health and the failure of health policies in the country. Central President of PIMA, Prof Atif Hafeez Siddiqui stated that a major cause of this crisis is the appointment of incompetent and irrelevant individuals in key health institutions. A recent example is the appointment of a non-medical person as deputy coordinator in the TB Control Programme—an act that violates not only the orders of the High Court but also merit and advertisement requirements. He emphasised that past and present governments have deliberately excluded healthcare professionals from the policy-making process, relying instead on the advice of favoured individuals. In particular, doctors and health workers in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are facing pressure, uncertainty, and discouragement under the guise of reforms. Such decisions not only damage institutional credibility but also put public lives at risk. The PIMA has called for a high-level transparent inquiry in light of the Global Fund report. It has also demanded that only qualified, experienced, and relevant experts be appointed to key positions; that national health programmes be free from political influence; and that doctors and health professionals be formally included in policymaking to ensure better and more effective decisions in the public interest. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
12-06-2025
- Health
- Business Recorder
PIMA voices concern over 16pc cut in health budget
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Islamic Medical Association (PIMA) has expressed deep concern over the 16 percent cut in the federal health development budget for 2025–26 compared to last year, noting that it represents one of the lowest health budget allocations in the region. Pakistan spends less than 0.9 percent of its GDP on health far below regional and global standards. The budget for the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations, and Coordination (NHSR&C) has been reduced for the fiscal year 2025-26, despite increasing health challenges in the country. The combined non-development and development budget for the ministry has been cut from Rs 54.87 billion in the outgoing fiscal year 2024-25 to Rs 46.10 billion in next fiscal year, a reduction of Rs 8.77 billion. Central President of PIMA Prof Atif Hafeez Siddiqui emphasised that this significant reduction comes at a time of growing health challenges and will directly impact hospitals and BHUs construction and equipment upgrades, medical education, disease surveillance systems and the training of medical professionals. While operational spending on salaries and administration has increased, long-term development of healthcare infrastructure and services is being overlooked. He highlighted that Pakistan continues to face a dual burden of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, cancer, and heart disease, alongside ongoing threats from infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, hepatitis, and HIV/AIDS. In this context, reducing development allocations compromises the country's capacity to respond effectively and weakens overall health system resilience. The PIMA president urged the government to take urgent corrective steps in light of current health challenges. He called for the restoration and enhancement of the development health budget to support healthcare infrastructure and ensure long-term health improvements. He further emphasised the need to prioritise disease control programmes, both communicable and non-communicable, and to reinforce medical education and health workforce training for a sustainable and resilient healthcare system. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
30-05-2025
- Health
- Business Recorder
PIMA for effective implementation of anti-tobacco laws
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Islamic Medical Association (PIMA) urged the authorities to ensure the effective implementation of existing anti-tobacco laws, stricter regulation of emerging nicotine products, and to increase taxation on tobacco products to safeguard public health, on this World No Tobacco Day. In a joint statement, PIMA President Prof Atif Hafeez Siddiqui and health experts Prof Sohail Akhtar and Dr Ahmar Hamid highlighted that tobacco use is causing an alarming rise in non-communicable diseases in Pakistan, due to weak enforcement of laws and poor public awareness. They cited World Health Organization (WHO) data, revealing that tobacco use results in approximately 164,000 deaths annually in Pakistan and an economic loss of over PKR 700 billion. PIMA noted that global research confirms raising tobacco taxes not only boosts government revenue but also significantly reduces consumption and related health burdens. In Pakistan, following tax increases in 2023, tobacco use declined by 19.2 percent, while 26.3 percent of smokers reduced their cigarette intake. Revenue from federal excise duty (FED) on cigarettes rose by 66 percent, from PKR 142 billion in 2022-23 to PKR 237 billion in 2023-24. Prof Siddiqui and medical experts also called for stricter regulation of emerging nicotine products like e-cigarettes, nicotine pouches, and heated tobacco, which are aggressively marketed and equally harmful. 'Alarmingly, 68 percent of student users are involved in e-cigarettes, highlighting the urgent need for targeted awareness,' they added. They urged that tobacco tax revenues be utilised for consistent awareness campaigns in all local languages, and called on provincial governments to invest in youth-focused education programmes. Additionally, they demanded the establishment of smoking cessation clinics in all teaching hospitals to support those looking to quit. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
