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Future of Telemedicine in Pakistan

Sarmad Sahim
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Future of Telemedicine in Pakistan

Telemedicine is a more reliable way to provide healthcare facilities to the people of the underprivileged unprocurable areas. It facilitates the patients and a doctor to communicate with a specialist 100 miles away. The history of telemedicine is ancient. In 1950, Robert Ledley used digital computers for dental projects at the National Bureau of Standards. It demands the presence of both parties at the same time and a high bandwidth communication link between them. 

Video- conferencing equipment is one of the most common forms of technologies used in real-time telemedicine. The objective of telemedicine is to provide equal access to medical expertise irrespective of the geographical location of the person in need. Telemedicine has more considerable significance in developing countries since it allows people from remote areas to access medical facilities and live a healthy life.

Pakistan is one of the densely populated developing countries where most people are living in villages. There is a huge disparity in health care distribution in rural and urban areas. Pakistan spends only 2.8% of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) on the heath. 

Recent medical statistics show that the situation in Pakistan is disastrous due to a small and inadequate amount of skilled healthcare staff. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Pakistan has one physician for 1351 people, a dentist for 20000, a nurse for 3225, a midwife for 6666, and one pharmacist for 20000. Policy emphasis continues to focus on the expansion of medical colleges, and the number grew exponentially with 2 in 1947 to 114 in 2019. [1] [2]

The fundamental structure of healthcare in Pakistan consists of rural health centers, basic health units, tehsil headquarters hospitals, district headquarters hospitals, and teaching hospitals. Here, approximately 75% of Pakistan’s population lives in rural areas, while the percentage of doctors working in those areas is about 22%. The ratio of hospital beds in rural areas to urban areas is 18% to 82%. [3]

There are also notable urban-rural discrepancies in human resources, particularly for doctors. An estimated 14.5 physicians per 10 000 population in urban areas is contrasted with 3.6 per 10 000 people in rural areas. There is a smaller but nevertheless significant discrepancy in the distribution of nurses and midwives, with a higher urban concentration of 7.6 midwives compared to 2.9 per 10 000 population in rural areas. Apart from these discrepancies, rural areas do possess a sizeable number of front-line village-based ‘Lady Health Workers’ (LHW), who act as the first point of contact for primary health care. [4]

The above statistics show that even though Pakistan’s population is mostly concentrated in the villages and small towns, the medical services in those areas are insufficient. Consult a specialist doctor, people of rural areas have no choice other than traveling to big cities. Most often than not, due to inadequate conditions of roads and traffic, the patients couldn’t meet the concerned doctor on the day of the appointment.

To provide fitting healthcare facilities to the overly frustrated rural population, the Government has to choose one of the two possible options. 

  1. To improve the poor infrastructure and attempt to build hospitals.  
  2. Telemedicine, the best option for providing the most reliable healthcare facilities using the maximum utilization of limited resources.
Telemedicine has more considerable significance in developing countries since it allows people from remote areas to access medical facilities and live a healthy life
Telemedicine has more considerable significance in developing countries since it allows people from remote areas to access medical facilities and live a healthy life.

Telemedicine activities emerged in Pakistan in 1998 with Elixir Technology taking the initiative as a philanthropic project named TelMEDPAK, which completed small projects on an experimental basis in Taxila and Gilgit, and it got successful.

In the first project at Taxila, Ali Family Hospital, a private hospital, was equipped with a computer system and scanner with internet facilities and connected with Holy Family Hospital in Rawalpindi. Opinions were collected from the specialist doctors by sending care reports of the patients to them. The patient’s stories and records were kept strictly confidential.

The other project at Gilgit has a ‘voice chat’ facility. In this project, the telemedicine model has been demonstrated by linking District Headquarter Hospital (D.H.Q.) Gilgit, with a surgical unit of Holy Family Hospital Rawalpindi, medical specialists related to particular fields, was made available. In this regard, all the possible modalities of telemedicine were tested and practiced like sending images, x-rays, and patient records, etc. to specialists at Holy Family Hospital Rawalpindi.

Besides the private sector, the Government of Pakistan has also taken initiatives for the advancements in telemedicine. A few of them are the foundation of the telemedicine forum in September 2001, the development of health management information system (HIMS), the construction of health resource center (HIRC) which lead to the establishment of electronic patient record system at the federal hospital and promoting health research and link research respectively.

The telecommunication industry in Pakistan is undergoing rapid development as a result of which the communication connectivity all over the country has improved remarkably, and it’s a good sign for the development of telemedicine in Pakistan.

In Pakistan, numerous telemedicine setups are working in different parts of the country, being run by both Government and private organizations. In 2007, a Telehealth project was announced by Electronic Government Directorate (E.G.D.) Pakistan started in 3 Hospitals, like Mayo Hospital, Holy Family Hospital Rawalpindi, and Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Center. In 2009, Agha Khan Health Services Pakistan also started telemedicine services initially implemented in Gilgit Baltistan.

Apart from these, there are multiple Private organizations running telemedicine services in different parts of the country. The most notable of them are mentioned below;

Shifa4U

Shifa4U is a comprehensive, one-stop-shop healthcare platform for telemedicine services. In addition to online consultations with doctors, the platform allows you to schedule physical appointments for radiology, lab, homecare, and local doctors.

Aman TeleHealth

An initiative of the Aman Foundations, Aman TeleHealth, is 24-hour healthcare. The helpline provides secure and timely access to diagnostic services, basic medical advice, mental health, and family planning counseling.

Ring a Doctor

Ring a Doctor is another reliable 24/7 online consultation platform, giving you a chance to get your condition diagnosed from the comforts of your home through a video session.

Marham

Marham is a similar platform that has already served over 300,000 patients through online consultations. Offering a wide range of specialized services, Marham has a hassle-free process of connecting patients with relevant doctors and physicians online.

Sehat Kahani

Sehat Kahani boasts 3-click, 24/7 telemedicine services for those in need. It is an all-female health provider network that provides quality healthcare to those in need, using telemedicine. Sehat Kahani has a dedicated app for e-health services.

Dawaai

Dawaai.pk is an online pharmacy, allowing you to purchase all your medicines in one place. They deliver the drugs at your doorsteps without you having to go out.

Sehat

Sehat is another renowned online pharmacy, offering home delivery of prescription drugs, over the counter and readily available medicines, and special orders.

doctHERs

doctHERs provide you with 24/7 access to leading specialists and consultants through the simple convenience of a smart-phone.

Health Online

A complete healthcare web portal, catering to all your healthcare needs, Health Online (H.O.L.) offers lab tests from home, ambulance service, and an online pharmacy for the patients.

Find My Doctor

Find My Doctor is an app that connects doctors with patients. These days, two of the most essential services offered by Find My Doctor include doctor at home and lab test at home.

PIMS Online Doctor

The Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) now offers its online consultation service through its official website. You can write your queries and symptoms to relevant departments, and PIMS Online Doctor will respond with the prescription, if necessary.

In Pakistan, as already discussed, Healthcare facilities are scarce compared to its population, which is approximately 220 Million, especially in rural areas. So the best way to combat this situation is to have an advanced Telehealth system that should be free of cost and readily available to masses, especially to those from the lower class and far plunged areas. 

There should be a telemedicine center in each tehsil headquarter hospital, district headquarters hospital, and teaching hospital, which will provide real-time telemedicine facilities. Each of the telemedicine centers should be connected with medical stores to get the medicine in time. These telemedicine centers should then be combined with their respective provincial telemedicine centers and a centralized Telemedicine center located in Federal capital, Islamabad. 

When this system gets implemented, there will be comparatively less burden on the healthcare system in hospitals. It will improve access to health care services by reducing the need for patients or doctors to travel. The people from inaccessible areas will get free of cost services when needed, and there will be comparatively mere loss of life lives, especially in case of emergencies. It will also have distinct advantages in travel emergencies in the ships, airplanes, and possibly on the battlefield. 

Pakistan, being a developing country, is making advancements in telemedicine, but there is a long road ahead. The Government and private organizations should invest in the telemedicine sector to provide health care services to the people living in remote areas. Hopefully, we will be able to catch up to some of the emerging markets in integrating technology and healthcare to provide a solution to our many problems anytime soon. The healthcare providers in Pakistan are among the best in the world, if their services are utilized in telemedicine, it will be a blessing in disguise to Pakistan’s vulnerable healthcare system. 

Bibliography

[1] http://en.wikipidia.org/wiki/Pakistan

[2] https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_medical_schools_in_Pakistan

[3] Pakistan, Government of (2005-06) Economic Survey of Pakistan (2005–06). Islamabad: Finance Division, Economic Adviser’s Wing.

[4] https://www.who.int › projectsPDFWeb resultsPRIMARY CARE SYSTEMS PROFILES … – World Health Organization

Ministry of Science made moon-sighting way more controversial

Scientia
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Ministry of Science made moon-sighting way more controversial

BBC’s report on moon sighting controversy, that started after a tweet of Minister of Sci & Tech, Fawad Ch, had brought my attention that numerous politicians and “intellectuals” of our society saw the new Cresent, following a month of 30 days, for the first time in their life. They were probably confused about the new crescent and justified that it couldn’t be “crescent of the first day” but of the “day two”. Minister of Science and Technology, Fawad Chaudhry, was apparently furious because his “lunar calendar” has failed once again.

Moon sighting
Minister of Sci & Tech twitted this photo with caption; ” Decide yourself, whether it is moon of day one or day two?:

It is worth reminding the readers that I have time and again said that it is impossible to formulate a “lunar calendar.” This is because there are some regions of the world (Region A) where the new crescent can be easily seen; then there are other regions (Region B) where new crescent can be seen with difficulty, although not highly unlikely; while in rest of the regions (Region C) it is impossible to see the crescent.

crescent visibility map
Crescent visibility map

While SUPARCO’s quacks have formulated a lunar calendar, they are entirely unaware of the “Science of Crescent Sighting.” In Region B areas, when the crescent cannot be seen on the evening of 29 of the ongoing month, then it is visible the next evening, which is 30th of the current month. This crescent can be usually seen between a half-hour to one hour after sunset and is more thick and bright than the typical crescent. On the evening of 30th, we USUALLY observed hilal through telescope half an hour before and continued to see it an hour or more after sunset (in case it was not seen on the evening of 29th). Those people, including Fawad Chaudhry, say that the crescent seems of day two or day three, only because of their lack of expertise and knowledge.

It is pertinent to mention here that our Prophet PBUH has admonished never to say that a Cresent, after observing, is brighter and thicker, seems like the second or third day. (There can never be any flaw in the knowledge of our Almighty Creator and our Prophet PBUH).

This humble writer has worked practically in the field of astronomy for the past twenty years. Whenever we would not find the crescent on the 29th evening of the month, we would start searching before the sunset on the evening of the 30th. And usually, we found the nascent crescent half hour before the sunset, and it would remain in the sky between a half-hour and an hour after the sunset. All of this was done with the help of telescope at Karachi University’s Astronomy Department.

Interestingly, Fawad Chaudhry’s calendar also shows the month of Zil-Hajj ending with 30 days on Thursday and that the crescent of that month will remain visible on the sky for an hour and a quarter. But still, the people who have made the calendar consider it the moon of the first day of the month. The reason I call these people as quacks or that they lack knowledge or do not have experience is because they are ignorant of the fact that their own calendar is showing a crescent after 30 days, similar to the one observed for this month.

This is not an issue of ego. Science is unable to provide a transparent and credible probability regarding the moon in region B. This is why a lunar calendar can not be formulated in advance. Even in Region B areas, it sometimes happens that the crescent is not visible, although there was a clear probability of sighting crescent. Therefore, the models used by the SUPARCO to make the lunar calendar and a mobile application are anything but not accord science.

The pseudo-science is being misunderstood by the actual science in our society, and the majority of intellectuals believe in it. This is neither in line with science nor with the religion, and only cause more confusion in the society.

The article is originally written by Prof Shahid Qureshi, a senior researcher and Prof of Karachi University.

Also visit; Rare strawberry moon

‘Sicko’ shows the lows of the American healthcare system

Syeda Laiba Tayyab
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‘Sicko’ shows the lows of the American healthcare system

Health insurance – genuine or fraud? Is it worth to trust these companies when in need? This review revolves around the medical insurance system of America and how it deals with its clients. I’m sure after reading this you will be shocked to see the condition of the health care department of America: the titan country that intends to become an even bigger superpower in the near future.

Sicko is a documentary that shows a concise analysis of the reality of the health system in the United States. This documentary is directed, produced, and written by the famous filmmaker Michael Moore.  And not just that, he is also the narrator of the piece. It was released in the year 2007 and exposed the most crucial department of the country: the health care system. According to rotten tomatoes, rating this documentary by Moore is devastating but convincing. It has 92% positive ratings. According to Variety, Sicko is “an affecting and entertaining dissection of the American health care industry”.

The film starts with a satirical point of view showing two cases where people are tending to their medical needs. One is trying to sew stitches on a gruesome wound and the other has lost his finger while doing his job.  These two people were not insured by any health care company and didn’t have enough money to meet their medical needs. But the catch here is that this documentary is not about the people who don’t have access to health insurance, but rather it is about the injustices faced by health insured people in America.

You will be surprised to hear that there are still people in developed countries such as America, who cannot afford simple medical care. Yes, there are poor people living abroad too who cannot pay for one visit to the doctor. The most powerful country in the world; and they have people dying from lack of medical care. Around 50 million people in United States are deprived of health care insurance.

Sicko reveals the ugly truth of health care insurance. There are claims of just provisions but what actually is provided is vastly different. It discloses many cases were people who had health insurance but were still denied the chance to take necessary medical care.

Micheal Moore dives deep to show the ugly truth of health care insurance in America
Micheal Moore dives deep to show the ugly truth behind health care insurance in America

Unfortunately, such serious issues are always dragged into politics. This matter of providing health care to everyone has been a vital target of discussion in US politics over the years. Many presidents have used this point in their political campaigns and have made claims and promises of health care for all. But this pledges and words are never kept or truly fulfilled, making the health care insurance companies wealthier and wealthier. And leaving the people deprived of basic medical needs.

The health care insurance is completely profit oriented. It sells its deals and packages to people who buy insurance in the hopes of being cared for when in need. But the truth of it comes in light when a person actually needs the health care. As shown in the documentary, when a person is need of a surgery or other expensive medical procedure, a board sits to decide whether it really is necessary or not. This is the point where the game changes. The board consists of doctors who are forced to reject any appeal that is more expensive and damaging to the insurance company. This immoral act of denying a rightful medical procedure is completed by the doctors who get a pay raise whenever they reject a medical procedure.

The rejection notice by the insurance companies give lame excuses for it. For instance, we learn about Adrianne, a mother at 22, who was diagnosed with cervical cancer. Her insurance company denied her appeal for medical care just by saying that she was too young to get cancer. This shows an extreme level of lost humanity. The only choice the girl had was to move to Canada and marry someone there to get the medical benefits provided by that country.

The same fallouts are for non-residents of the States. A foreign person visiting America is required to have medical insurance beforehand. Because if he/she gets injured unluckily, the medical treatment is so expensive that they could end up having medical bills of 600,000$ just for a mere head injury.

The horrors and shortcomings of the American healthcare system shown in Sicko is just a tiny part of the big picture. We can conclude that the Healthcare system of America, or any country for that matter, will do more harm than good as long as it is treated as a business and not really for the “welfare” of people.

Also Read: Your guide to movies with a pandemic theme

BRSP’s Contribution and Intervention in the Health Sector of Balochistan

Shamsullah Durrani
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BRSP’s Contribution and Intervention in the Health Sector of Balochistan

Healthcare delivery System plays a vital role in socio-economic development, and it directly links with the overall economy of a country. The more manpower feels healthy, the more growth and economic activities would take place. Generally, Pakistan’s healthcare system consists of the private and public sectors. Most people facilitate private hospitals or medical clinics due to non-functionality and unavailability of health facilities in government hospitals.

Human Development Index in Pakistan indicates the lowest level, particularly for the health and education sectors. According to UNDP, the 2019 report that Pakistan ranks at 152 out of 189 countries with 0.5 HDI (Human Development Index) value, which put it in the middle human development category. Similarly, the total expenditure of public health sector is 2.8 (% of GDP) with the life expectancy at birth 67 (years), mortality rate, infants per (1,000 live births) is 61.2, infants lacking immunization (% of one-year-old) is 17, whereas diseases such as HIV (% ages 15-49) is 0.1, and Malaria incidence (per 1,000 people at risk) is 4.9.

According to the Pakistan constitution’s 18th Amendment, the provision of health is the responsibility of provincial governments except in the capital-administered areas. 

BRSP

Balochistan the largest province of Pakistan, is facing a dismal situation in the health sector due to government negligence, failure, and mismanagement. It is observed that the current healthcare system doesn’t meet public’s needs for quality health treatment. As a result, the province receives fatal diseases such as (malnutrition, maternal health, malaria, HIV, AIDS, and other critical diseases). And, most of its interior districts are lacking health facilities. At the same time, non-government organizations are working and supporting the government of Balochistan with their limited resource in healthcare services. Balochistan Rural Support Program (BRSP) has been working in healthcare services, including (malaria, nutrition, and disability) since 2007 at 25 districts of the province. The organization aims to reduce poverty by providing access to quality health services in Balochistan and the government. In the health sector, BRSP’s approach based on the following three major components. 

  • To provide access to quality health facilities, specifically in the rural areas of the province.
  • To support the government in health management and policies. 
  • To educate communities about health-related issues. 

Providing access to quality health services

BRSP has taken numerous steps and implemented various projects related to health at the different sphere of time such as People’s Primary Healthcare Initiative (PPHI) initiative, Reproductive Health, MCH, and Nutrition, Food Assistance for Assets (FFA), Support to Persons with Disabilities (PWD), Malaria Control Intervention, Polio Eradication, at targeted districts of the province. According to organization’s senior manager on health (malaria, nutrition, and disability) section Siraj Ghori that till now we strengthened 717 Basic Health Units (BHUs) via primary healthcare project by regulating staff, provision of modern medicines, capacity building of health workers, improvement of the physical infrastructure of health units and ensured need-based health services at different communities.

BRSP's contribution to healthcare
BRSP’s contribution to healthcare

He added that under People’s Primary Healthcare Initiative (PPHI), more than 2,000,000 people got facilitated throughout the province. For malaria prevention, BRSP has distributed 124,000,000 Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLIN) in 10 widespread districts. Similarly, 100,000 individuals treated through Mobile Service Units (MSUs). In Reproductive Health, MCH, and Nutrition Section, BRSP immunized 5,009 children and women in health facilities separately. Moreover, 15,562 Malnourished children & pregnant women were screened and provided health treatment accordingly. 

 In Food Assistance for Assets (FFA) project, which is an initiative of World Food Program (WFP) to support vulnerable people for immediate food needs with cash or food transfer, BRSP with the financial support of WFP (June to September-2019) assisted around 94,054 people (13,631 families) including 47,967 women of drought-affected areas in Tehsils Gulistan and Dobandi, at district Killa Abdullah. A total of 12,293 participants received cash-based amounts to PKR.117.040 million (USD-731,500).

In Support to Persons with Disabilities (PWD) section, BRSP first started working for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in 2016 under the project Balochistan Community Development Program (BCDP) funded by European Union in 40 Union Councils of four districts of the province including Zhob, Loralai, Jhal Magsi, and Khuzdar. This specific project supported marginalized segments of society with life-changing stories. According to organization’s focal person on (PWDs) that we provided assistive devices to 616 (PWDs) including 150 wheelchairs, 50 tricycles/handcycle, 50 crutches, 40 white canes, 120 hearing aids, 195 artificial limbs/hands, one electric bed and 10 modified 70 cc motorcycles.  

In June 2017, the project further supported and extended to an additional 171 Union Councils of seven districts (Jhal Magsi, Khuzdar, Killa Abdullah, Loralai, Pishin, Washuk, Zhob) under the launching of Balochistan Rural Development and Community Empowerment Programme (BRACE) by European Union. In the second phase, BRSP identified about 44,885 PWDs by the Poverty Score Card (PSC) census with 70,901 different disabilities, which is 2.91 % of the total population.

 After validation, a total of 4,400 PWDs selected from 211 Union Councils of seven targeted districts. Similarly, funds allocated for the provision of assistive devices accordingly. As a result, 3,484 assistive devices have been provided to 2,893 PWDs (32% women), including wheelchairs 650, tricycles 250, hearing devices 800, crutches 200, orthotic and prosthetic support to 1,584. 

On the other hand, BRSP has also initiated a healthcare program (facility of 3D technology) for PWDs belonging to border districts of Balochistan This specific health facility which is being introduced at Al-Khidmat Hospital Quetta, deals with orthotic and prosthetic support to PWDs. The project funded by PATRIP Foundation. Similarly, Pakistan Poverty Aviation Fund (PPAF) and Chal Foundation support BRSP in health facilities for PWDs in targeted districts of the province Dera Bugti and Pishin, respectively.

In Malaria Control Intervention Program, BRSP under DMC is providing Malaria’s Prevention and Control health facilities at 25 Rural Health Centers (RHCs) of the province.

Supporting government in health management and policies

BRSP is supporting the government of Balochistan in health management and capacity building training. Till now, the organization has trained health staff throughout the province.

 According to BRSP’s health section senior manager Siraj Ghori a total of 2,899 healthcare professionals trained on Malarias’ treatment, diagnosis, emergency, newborn care, and health hygiene facilities. Moreover, 1315 health staff have been trained on MIS reporting and surveillance of uncomplicated malaria case management under the said guidelines and instructions of WHO for malaria disease. Apart from this, he added BRSP is supporting the government’s primary healthcare system, such as Basic Health Units (BHUs), Rural Health Centers (RHCs), and District Head Quarters (DHQs) in health-related management issues. He added that our primary focus is rural health development in the province, and we are utilizing funds with the financial support of our donors.

Educating communities about health-related issues

The organization also educates communities, specifically rural populations, via advocacy sessions about different diseases and quality health facilities. Until now, 750,000 individuals got awareness sessions on Malaria Prevention, HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, and Nutrition. Moreover, 13,982 community organization (CO) members got sensitized through 624 sessions on health services. Similarly, 148,477 youth and adolescents have been engaged through 1049 infotainment activities. Apart from this, BRSP also facilitated 1,103 people through 65 counseling sessions on Reproductive Health (RH) and health issues. Besides, 27,000 married couples were sensitized through 14,000 RH counseling sessions.

Summing up, the organization provides health facilities to people in 25 districts with its limited resources of donors. Still, the province is presenting a dismal picture of the healthcare system that doesn’t meet the demands of its citizens for standard and quality health treatment. Therefore, it’s the responsibility of the government of Balochistan to join hands with BRSP for quality health interventions in the province.

Also, Read: How Baluchistan in combating with the pandemic

How Technology Has Revolutionized The Healthcare System

Sabeeka Zafar
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How Technology Has Revolutionized The Healthcare System

Today, when the world is gripped by coronavirus’s devastating and vile effect, the crossroad of technology and healthcare system has given life sciences a new dimension. In the past, when the innovation of even a spectroscope would take gazillion years, now with the advent of Artificial Intelligence, Machine learning, and Internet of Things, we see large scale digitalization of data; development of personalized medicines, 3D printing of organs and lifesaving surgeries being executed by Robots. Doesn’t it jolting, like if some giant virtual power took over the world miraculously?

Now the world is in the swirl of a killing virus, taking lives of thousands each day; an invisible creature challenging to contain, the technological revolution has also paced fast in the previous years that we are now equipped enough to computationally visualize structure and leading for the preparation of a potential vaccine. Evolving from an era when even pneumonia was considered malicious, we have grown to a stage of telemedicine.

Not that this amalgam has brought changes on a grand level of vaccines and surgeries, the layman has benefited from this amicable relationship. From data automation to telepathy to personalized medicines, these are all groundbreaking evolutions. Personalized medicine has been customized according to an individual’s genetic makeup, hence shifting from the paradigm of “one size fits all.” Gone are the days when we used to wait for hours to get reports of our sample, now it takes just one click, and we can get an email on our phone screens. During the pandemic, when people are afraid to go out to the hospitals for a usual checkup, virtual consultations with their specialists are lifesaving. Not only are the patients getting the perks, but it has also brought convenience to the doctors and the clinical staff. The need for pen-paper to make records has become history, and the electronic record has taken its place.

Technology has revolutionized the healthcare system in other parts of the world as compared to Pakistan, we can witness a huge difference. Pakistan being a third world country, already swarmed in the financial crisis, finds these technologies a luxury. A few parts of our country like Thar and Balochistan have a severe lack of basic necessities of life like water, food, hospitals, and students are continually protesting against mere internet facilities. So, we can’t expect the same level of revolutionary impacts of technology in a country like this compared to the developed countries. Having said that, we can’t completely disprove the benefits we are getting from this wave of revolution, not to the scale of robots doing surgeries, but we have seen remarkable growth in some departments like automation of data and telepathy very furiously making its way to the industry.

To get into the details of how this technological revolution has impacted the health care systems globally, we will discuss some of the departments where exponential growth is witnessed. Some of them are:

Digitalization of Data

Electronic health records have proven to be game-changers in the medical world because they have eliminated the need for maintaining paper records. Massive data can be stored in a more organized and safer way. This digitalization provides comfort to the Medical assistants, medical coding professionals, registered nurses who have a handful of roles, and the patients; patients can access their medical records in just a single click, which makes the retrieval of data accessible smooth, and less time-consuming. 

Digitalization of data has several benefits to the health care system:

  • Using EHR, physicians can get an automatic alert about the potential issues (such as allergies or intolerances to certain medicines) of patients. This alert enables the Doctor to treat the patient accordingly and prescribe drugs, considering the patient’s potential issues.
  • Storing data into a single extensive database is less time consuming and efficient with fewer chances of error than paperwork. It also enables the remote working of medically coding experts to increase productivity and efficiency.
  • According to a study from the University of Michigan, this new electronic health record system elevated the cost of outpatient care by 30%.

Telemedicine

It allows healthcare professionals to evaluate, diagnose, and treat patients remotely using telecommunications technology. Telemonitoring technology is used to monitor, evaluate, diagnose, and treat patients at a distance using telecommunications technology.

Amid the current situation, telemedicine is a perfect example of how technology is meeting the ends with every day, increasing the needs of at-risk patients. People who don’t have the urgency or dire need to visit hospitals prefer to consult doctors virtually these days and telepathy proved an essential means for this digital consultation. 

Telemedicine has several benefits, including:

  • It saves time.
  • Improved access to remote areas.
  • Increased efficiency.

 Mobile Health

Mobile health involves mobile technology to monitor and share health information, such as wearables and health tracking apps. These wearables and health tracking apps control weight, blood pressure, heart rate, glucose meters, or diet data. It is the fastest-growing trend in the healthcare industry; google and apple are trying their best to push the limits to the next level by introducing amazing technologies and apps every year.

Mobile health technology is changing patient care. source: Techicy
Mobile health technology is changing patient care. (Source: Techicy)

There are a plethora of apps available on the internet that are flexible for both parties, patients, and doctors; also, an inexpensive means to provide better health facilities. This technology proved very beneficial for the people living in remote areas, making health care facilities available 24/7. This technology enables patients to connect with the healthcare provider anytime by sending messages and scheduling appointments for telemedicine visits. It also improves medication adherence; once the patient is discharged from the hospital, health can be used to provide patients features like automated medication, refill reminders, and educational information.

Personalized Medicine

Industry runs on the response of consumers, and the consumers of this age like to experience products specially tailored for them. Same is the case with the healthcare industry, it leans on technology to add a pinch of the spice of personalization to whatever they do; being more precise regarding their patient’s needs.

In the time of EHR, where data is stored and organized on such a grand level, it provides researchers with more opportunities to use it to analyze and evaluate genomic mutations, epigenetics, and other contributing factors leading to different genomic makeup of every single individual. And this analysis is the laid foundation of the development of personalized medicine for each individual depending on his/her lifestyle, heritage, medical history, genetic information, and on the data regarding individuals who faced similar medical problems.

Revolutionizing Drug Development

The pharmaceutical landscape has evolved drastically in the past few years after the advent of silicon drug trials. The process of drug development, its approval, and introduction in the market is quite a long and expensive procedure that requires a lot of effort. However, technologies like AI and insilico trials have improved various aspects of drug development. New drug candidates and novel therapeutic solutions are being developed by companies like Turbine, Recursion Pharmaceuticals, and Deep Genomics, using the maximum potential of AI.

Computer simulations are being done to evaluate a medical product, with the organ-on-a-chip already in use. Institutes like Virtual Physiological Human have developed virtual models for the study of heart disease and osteoporosis. HumMod is another human physiology model used in several projects.

Nanotechnology

Nanotechnology is the science of designing and producing materials and devices at the nanoscale; to solve some of the biggest problems in medicine. Lifesciences has expanded its horizon to the extent that it’s now living at the dawn of nanomedicine age. This technology is currently used to transport drugs to specific cells and the nanoparticles used for cancer treatment and tiny surgeries.

Skyrocketing growth in the nanotechnology market. (Source: BanderaCountryCourier)

Smart pills are one of the greatest innovations of nanotechnology, approved by the FDA in 2001. Ingestible sensor pills are used for monitoring and treatment where drug dosage is adjusted accordingly from data collected from the body. Another exceptional example of smart pills is the one that keeps medication records, specially designed for people surviving schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, these pills enable them to track their medication history via smartphone or seek medical information from the healthcare professionals.

Smart patches would also prove groundbreaking in the future of nanotechnology in the field of medicine. Grapheal, a France based company, has showcased its smart patch that will enable monitoring of wounds and even stimulate wound healing. As the technology evolves with time, we will see the smart pills capable of taking biopsy samples for analysis.

Robotics 

Robotics is one of the fastest-growing fields of healthcare ranging from companion robots to surgical robots, pharmaceutics, disinfectant robots, and exoskeletons. In 2019, the world saw its first exoskeleton aided surgery in Europe. Robotics can be applied to aiding nurses, lifting elderly patients, and/or helping patients with spinal injuries.

Robotic nurses taking over healthcare tasks. Source: Toyota-global
Robotic nurses taking over healthcare tasks. Source: Toyota-global

Robot companions like Jibo, pepper, and paro are widely used in the healthcare sector for patients with mental health issues or children with chronic illness. These robots have touch sensors, cameras, and microphones to interact with patients and monitor their medications, temperature, and breathing rate.

The coming years will see more wonders of technology to the health care sector but as it is quoted “one has to be the master of his own house,”

3D Printing of Organs and Drugs

3D printing of bio tissues, artificial limbs, pills, and blood vessels have brought marvelous advancement in all aspects of healthcare. In November 2019, researchers developed a method for 3D print skin and blood vessels that could prove beneficial for burn victims.

3D printing brightens evolution in the pharmaceutical industry by developing 3D printed drugs that have been approved by the FDA since 2015. Now the development of 3D-printing “polypills” is in the pipeline that will be a huge breakthrough, as it contains several layers of drugs to help patients adhere to their therapeutic plan. 

Not that all the advancements we have discussed above are in practical use in our country due to the obvious financial strains we have been facing for ages. Technology has played its role to some extent to stabilize our sloppy system with meager resources, making it more accessible and less costly for people around. It is the need of the hour that our decision-makers understand the importance of technology and how it can be used effectively to make the system smooth and affordable.

Only then can we take bold steps on a governmental level, including an increase in the healthcare system’s budget and the training of professionals and other medical staff so that they stay relevant to these technological revolutions. These potential efforts are bound to bring change on a massive scale. 

The coming years will see more wonders of technology to the health care sector but as it is quoted “one has to be the master of his own house,” we have to be two steps ahead of the technology so that we do not become its slaves rather be the beneficiaries of it.

Also Read: Research Culture in Pakistan’s Medical Colleges

Low Health budget amid the pandemic: a disaster in the breeding?

Muhammad Abdullah Khan
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Low Health budget amid the pandemic: a disaster in the breeding?

Throughout the course of history, Homo sapiens have faced pandemics such as Black Death, bubonic plague, and Spanish flu. while these disastrous pandemics killed millions and spread fear for ages, humans eventually survived them, proving the theory of “survival of the fittest.” However, the current pandemic, Covid-19, caused by a novel coronavirus, has put a question mark on humans’ ability to beat the microbes and survive.

Ironically, the Covid-19 has wrecked the most considerable havoc in the developed world. The last few months witnessed the collapse of the advanced health systems of developed countries like the US and the UK. Notably, Europe and North America are the worst hit with infections reaching millions and hundreds and thousands of deaths in the United States, Spain, Italy, and the United Kingdom. The pandemic highlighted the weaknesses in the best health systems, which were overburdened and reached the point of collapse.

Pakistan is a developing country and has a fragile healthcare system, which is at the cusp of the disaster. The system marred with corruption, nepotism, and incompetence is at a breaking point as the pandemic unfolds. World health organization (WHO) has warned that Pakistan has emerged as the worst-hit countries with the fastest rate of coronavirus infections in recent weeks. According to algorithms used by Imperial College of London, for predicting disease and death toll, Pakistan could face a sum of 2.29 million dead by the next January if proper lockdown and social distancing protocols are not imposed. In short, Pakistan is fleeting towards a disaster unless it changes its course in the coming days.

It is obvious to expect an increase in health budget considering the weak state of the health system and the upcoming spikes in infections and death, as predicted by the data. But the budget documents of the fiscal budget 2020-21 reveal a slightly different picture, indeed a horrific one. With a total budget outlay of Rs.7,294.9 billion (about US$ 44 billion), only Rs.25 billion has been allocated for health―a meager 0.4% of the GDP.

Although health is a provincial subject after the 18th Amendment of the constitution, a mere look at the numbers sheds light on the state of affairs and the priority given to the health sector amid the pandemic. Punjab, the most crowded province, has allocated Rs.284.2 billion for the health sector―and increase of a mere 1.86% compared to the last year. A ‘special coronavirus allocation’ of Rs.13 billion― 4.57% of the total health budget―has been earmarked. A significant chunk of the health budget (250.7 billion) will be used for running expenditures, and Rs.33 billion has been kept aside for the development schemes.

Amid a shortage of funds, PPE, ventilators, necessary medicines, and equipment, the government is facing another scarcity of human resources. A source in the health department said that “the hospitals are facing an extreme curtailment of specialized staff with dealing with the pandemic and ultimately they had to divert the existing team to Covid-19 wards.

The country is facing a financial deficit in the health sector, with a severe lack of human resources.

The budget documents of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) reveal Rs.124 billion for the health sector, which includes Rs.24.4 billion for health-related schemes, of which Rs.13.8 billion would be spent in the settled districts and Rs.10.6 billion in the merged districts. The KP government has also earmarked Rs.24 billion emergency fund to tackle the Covid-19.

The Balochistan Government allocated Rs.38 billion for the health sector―a meager 8.6% of the total budget outlay of Rs.465.528 billion.
Among all the provincial budgets, the Sindh government budget for the fiscal year 2020-21 has substantially increased the health sector’s allocation to counter the pandemic and other infectious diseases. The health department budget is raised by 16.1% to Rs.139.18 billion, compared to Rs.120 billion in the outgoing fiscal year.

Muteeb Ur Rehman, a scholar of MS economics, commenting on the health budget says that: “according to the WHO, percentage of health spending to GDP must be near about 6% while in Pakistan it is just 0.4% of GDP (Human Right Commission of Pakistan annual report). Pakistan’s health budget is not only insufficient but also poorly managed.”

He said that “the government should give attention to improve emergency medical services, training, and capacity building of staff through experience sharing of medical staff internationally, focus on the availability of essential life-saving medicines, face-masks, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), medical equipment, and public awareness program.” He also said that there is a dire need to invest in research of vaccines to mitigate this deadly pandemic

The country is facing a financial deficit in the health sector, with a severe lack of human resources. According to the WHO standards, it is an obligation that around two doctors, a dentist, and eight nurses should be taking care of not more than 1,000 people. However, the overall healthcare scenario in Pakistan is very bleak. While the country faces an acute shortage of hospitals, the number of beds, and the number of ventilators available for patients, it is also facing a scarcity of doctors and specialized staff. According to World Bank data, only 0.7 beds, 0.98 physicians, and 0.668 nurses are available per 1000 people.

Pakistan has not witnessed the flattening of the Covid-19 curve yet. Recent protests and resignations by the health staff and doctors fighting the pandemic at the front lines, due to lack of provision of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) by the authorities should have been an eye-opener for the policymakers and financial planners of the country. Given the warnings and predictions from international organizations regarding the future, the financial policymakers should have increased the health budget; nonetheless, some amendments are made to the low health budgets amid this deadly pandemic. It could be a perfect recipe for a disaster whose human price would have to be paid by ordinary citizens.

References: http://www.imperial.ac.uk/news/196234/covid-19-imperial-researchers-model-likely-impact/ https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SH.MED.BEDS.ZS https://tribune.com.pk/story/2245549/punjab-sindh-budgets https://mettisglobal.news/budget-presentation-begins-in-national-assembly

Also read: Traditional Healthcare Systems; A blessing or curse

Research Culture in Pakistan’s Medical Colleges

Bashir Ahmad
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Research Culture in Pakistan’s Medical Colleges

COVID-19 arouse as a global medical emergency that stressed the healthcare systems of every country. Till now, it has claimed 5.6 million lives worldwide. The pandemic created a deficiency of medical types of equipment, starting from ventilators to oximeters, PPEs and even hospital beds when the number of patients grew faster. The challenges grew with each day passed, and some countries are still fighting. Situations like these demand research to profoundly understand and tackle the dilemma and formulate a cure that permanently puts the catastrophe and ensures protection in the future. Pakistani scientists and academicians, too, carried out researches of immense importance on the virus. Contrary to expected, medical colleges couldn’t participate as much as non-medical universities and institutions did.

The medical profession demands intelligence, passion, empathy, and self-sacrifice. Staying this idle when medical students could contribute significantly to biomedical research was quite strange, unfair, and entirely unacceptable. A harsh reality is that our medical colleges prefer to produce medical practitioners rather than medical researchers. 

The medical students are always told what is clinically significant and what’s not, but they are hardly reminded that medical research is premium to practice. This might happen because of the fact that medical practice yields more financial and career benefits. But without research, the discipline stays stagnant. The practice is only for the time being and not for the long term. In Pakistan, this has been badly exposed by COVID-19.

How do they get away with it?

Tasbeeha Saeed, a science writer in her piece, wrote that the University of Health Sciences Lahore (UHS) succeeded in staying a major medical university of the province. She says that UHS has taken the following four steps to keep its status.

  • UHS kept its monopoly over all other universities of the province by conducting examinations and admissions.
  • UHS has secured the most affiliations of medical and dental colleges from all over Punjab.
  • UHS has sought affiliation with universities around the world. 
  • UHS has placed a strong public relations (PR) department that manages the media in favor of the university.

She claims that these are the four factors that help UHS survive. 

However, the state of research education and activities in medical colleges of Pakistan is appalling. A yet-unpublished study carried out in 2017 in four public and private sector medical colleges of Rawalpindi – Islamabad concluded that 78.8% of undergraduate students found a lack of motivation and incentive as the cause of disinterest in research among them. Other factors included curriculum overload (83%) and faculty-forced research (78.1%). (https://www.pafmj.org/index.php/PAFMJ/article/view/2094)

This clearly indicates how much they are pushed to focus on bookish knowledge and discouraged from participating in research.

“A survey conducted to assess the attitudes and practices of postgraduate medical trainees towards research clearly indicated poor research training and insufficient awareness about research as the major reasons for the pitiable state of medical research in Pakistan. Most had an assertive attitude for health sciences research. This shows that most medical graduates recognize the importance of research, but lack of research infrastructure and paucity of medical scientists as mentors are their major concerns that require immediate attention.” – Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences.

medical colleges and research
According to a survey, most postgraduate medical trainees showed an assertive attitude for health sciences research.

Students Opinions

A Survey conducted by Scientia Pakistan shows that private medical colleges focus more on research than public sector medical colleges. Taimur Tahir, a student from Peshawar medical college, a private college in KPK, says that he was introduced to research in his first MBBS. He won second prize in an Undergraduate Medical Research (UMR), a national level contest. He has a research paper published to his credit and working on another.

M Usman, a 3rd-year student from Nowshera Medical College, a public sector medical college in KPK, says that he has never been involved or motivated to get involved in any kind of research activity at his college. He says that in the future, they expect some traditional survey type research from the community medicine department only. 

We also reached out to the students of Bahria University Medical and dental college Karachi, Bhittai Dental and Medical College, Lahore Medical and Dental College, Quaid-e-Azam Medical College Bahawalpur and Altamash Institute of Dentistry. The students stated that there was no research activity at their institutions that they could call innovative. They weren’t exposed to it ever or let alone being trained for it. Many students raised voice against lack of research culture in their institution and said that the only kind of research they had at their campuses was the traditional questionnaire-filling. 

The Few Exceptions 

It will be unjust not to mention a few institutions that are playing a vital part in medical research in Pakistan. Among them, Agha Khan University hospital, Dow University of Health Sciences, PIMS, king Edward Medical college, and some other private and public sector medical colleges and universities work tirelessly to provide a sophisticated research environment to their students. 

For this, Agha Khan University publishes an annual Research Outlook magazine to document its research activities. AKU is among the seven global institutions that collaborate on a research study on infectious diseases – United world antiviral Research Network (UWARN). This study is mainly focused on research on emerging viral diseases and curbing pandemics in the future. It also hopes to improve understanding of how viruses manipulate the human immune system. Several AKU faculty members will serve as investigators in the study. 

The medical students are always told what is clinically significant and what’s not, but they are hardly reminded that medical research is premium to practice.

In late 2019, Agha Khan University introduced a new typhoid vaccine to combat a drug-resistant strain of the potentially fatal disease. This was the first of its kind ever in the world. There are many other innovative pieces of research to the credit of AKU.

Dow University of Health Sciences is also one of the leading medical research institutes in Pakistan. Their most recent notable contribution was the development of intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG). This is a more safe and low-risk method of COVID-19 treatment. They also have replicated cyclopia – a rare birth defect in newborns – in common houseflies. The most common symptom of this defect has a single eye. This will help us understand the pathology better.

 Role of Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC)

PMDC was supposed to play a vital role in the promotion of medical research in the country. It had the authority to regulate medical institutions. But unfortunately, politicization ruined the body, and it got engaged in endless controversies. It was accused of authorizing private medical college despite inadequate infrastructure. Even its executive council was dissolved by Supreme Court in August 2015. Just recently, PMDC was replaced by Pakistan Medical Council (PMC) via a presidential bill. Cases were fought in courts, and eventually, the decision was revoked. 

PMDC should now take stock of the primary science teaching and medical research in various medical colleges. The HEC-sponsored PhDs returning from foreign universities can be utilized as a teaching and research faculty. PMDC should consider appointing and promoting faculty stringently based on their academic research accomplishments. Research support units should be established in medical universities. Institutions should consider issuing research magazines to update students with recent developments in the field and draw them to conduct their own research. Celebrating research days and sessions on its vitality can also help.

Also, Read: Traditional healthcare system of Pakistan, a blessing or curse

Traditional Healthcare Systems; A blessing or curse

Aniqa Mazhar
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Traditional Healthcare Systems; A blessing or curse

Anam was an eleven-year-old girl who had her menstrual periods for only three months, and then they stopped. At first, her parents thought that it was not severe and that she was of minor age, and her periods would naturally start again. After a few months, though, they decided to get medical advice. They went to a Yunani Hakeem, who focused on the fact that the girl’s hair was thinning and graying (which it was). He gave a dozen bottles of murabba and herbal pastes. The girl ate them and developed acne all over her body since the herbs were warm enough. The problem of the periods remained unsolved.

Later, Anam’s parents took her to a homeopath, who listened to the symptoms and assured them that he would ‘fix’ everything, but that it would take time. The poor girl sucked the homeopathic tablets after every meal, and several years passed. Upon each visit, she was given more pills and the reassurance that she would get well, the treatment only needed time.

When Anam reached the age of 20, her symptoms weren’t getting well, and finally, her parents decided to take her to a gynecologist. They had been avoiding allopathy because of the fear of side-effects. The gynecologist was well-known in her field and asked for a proper ultrasound, hormonal blood tests as well as an MRI scan. After looking at the criteria, it was found the Anam had a tumor in the anterior pituitary gland and an imbalance of hormones. There was nothing wrong with her reproductive organs.

Anam referred to an experienced endocrinologist, and after taking prescribed medicine for 14 months, her tumor had shrunk, her hormones were balanced, and finally, her periods started as well. But she still has to consume the medicines to keep the tumor in check as well as the hormones.

Medicine is the science or practice of the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of disease. Traditional medicine refers to health practices, approaches, knowledge and beliefs incorporating plant and mineral-based medicines, spiritual therapies, manual techniques and exercises, applied singularly or in combination to treat, diagnose and prevent illnesses or maintain well-being.

What are the main traditional systems in Pakistan?

There are several kinds of traditional medicine practiced throughout different areas of Pakistan. These are also known as folk medicine, since they are based on knowledge about herbs and spices, plants and remedies etc and have been passed on and practiced from generation to generation before the advent of modern medicine.

Homeopathy

Usually, anyone who has a slight physical problem runs to the nearest homeopathic practitioner because the medicine is deemed effective with no side effects. In principle, Homeopathic medicine is pseudoscientific. It is compatible with factual science as well as beliefs and traditions to some extent. The founder of this kind of medicine was Samuel Hahnemann, a German physician, who was not satisfied with the medical practices of his time as it caused harm to the patient as well.

The basic principle involves diluting the medicinal substance with water, ethanol or sugar. The belief that a substance that causes symptoms of a disease in healthy people would cure similar symptoms in a sick person is te main doctrine of this type of medicine and is called similia similibus curenter meaning ‘like cures like’.

Herbal medicine

This is also known as phytotherapy, as it revolves around the basic concept of utilizing the medicinal potential of plants. According to botany, a herb is any plant with leaves, seeds, and flowers which does not have a woody stem and dies down to the ground after flowering. Herbs are usually useful for flavoring food, making perfumes and scents as well as medicines. An example of a herbaceous plant is Mint, which is used in soothing an upset stomach.

Archaeological evidence supports the fact that herbal medicine dates back to about 5000 years, with the Sumerians in the Paleolithic age being the first ones to compile data about herbaceous plant species. There are several writings on herbal plants from ancient Egypt as well, followed by Greek work on them and then from the Shang dynasty of China in 1600 BC.

According to the World Health Organization, modern herbal medicines are the basis for present pharmaceuticals, precisely 25 percent of modern drugs in the USA. At least 7000 medical components in the modern pharmacopoeia are plant-based. Common ones include artemisinin, opium, digitalis, and quinine. The most common form of using these herbal medicines is  liquid extraction via chromatography and then making herbal teas e.g chamomile, mint, sage, lavender, thyme, rosemary etc. they can be added to foods in their original leafy form as well to add taste as well as to get their benefit.

On 14th December 2019, the first ever TCM entered Pakistan and it was against bronchitis.
On 14th December 2019, the first ever TCM entered Pakistan and it was against bronchitis.

Chinese traditional medicine

This is a type of medicine prevalent for thousands of years to prevent, diagnose and treat disease. It is based on the belief that qi( the body’s vital energy) flows along meridians(channels) in the body and keeps a balance between mental, spiritual and physical health. TCM works for restoring the body’s balance and harmony between the natural opposing forces of yin and yang, which can block qi and cause disease. It is also known as oriental medicine.

It originated back in the days of the Shang Dynasty and includes several practices which may sound a bit odd. E.g. acupuncture, cupping, gua sha/scrapping off of skin, tui na/massage, die-da/bone-setting, qigong./exercise and dietary therapy.

On 14th December 2019, the first ever TCM entered Pakistan and it was against bronchitis. The Yinhuang Qingfei Capsule passed a one-year trial at the ICCBS, Karachi University and was declared safe to use against the usual medicine Amoxicillin-Clauvulanate, which is losing its potency due to resistance by the bacteria.

Chiropractic

This is a medicine concerned with treating mechanical and muscoskeletal disoreders and pains. The main concept revolves around manual therapy, with extra stress on the manipulation of the spine, other joints, and soft tissues. It also includes excercises and lifestyle counseling, but chiropractors are not physicians or medical doctors.

D.D. Palmer found it in the 1890s and claimed it to be effective as it was ‘a science of healing without drugs’, although today it is subject to controversy.

Presently there are several registered chiropractors all over cities in Pakistan and they claim ‘full body pain adjustment’ for a reasonable amount of fee.

Naturopathy

What’s the first thing your parents do when you complain of an ache or ailment or an injury? That’s right, search for a home remedy!

This medicine is based on ideas like natural, non-invasive and self-healing concepts.  It is based on vitalism and folk medicine rather than evidence based research. It is passed on from generation to generation as ‘wisdom.’ I believe this is the most common type of traditional medicine in Pakistan, as every other person has some ‘totkay’ to share when someone complains of an illness.

There are professional naturopaths as well, who usually focus on lifestyle, emotional care, physical examination and treat with introducing changes in lifestyle. They usually oppose drugs and their usage.

Usual practices include herbalism, homeopathy, natural cures, applied kinesiology, psychotherapy, public health measures and hygiene, reflexology etc.

Yunani Medicine

This is a system that was practiced in the subcontinent during the Mughal reign. It means Perso-arabic traditional medicine, initially introduced by Greek physicians Hippocrates and Galen.

According to Unani practitioners, the failure of the body to maintain its own its own health and equilibrium leads to derangement of the fluids.

It is also practiced by Muslims in Central Asia and has originated from the four basic classical humours of the body; phlegm, blood, yellow bile and black bile. According to Unani practitioners, the failure of the body to maintain its own its own health and equilibrium leads to derangement of the fluids. Each person has a unique mixture of these fluids and they determine the person’s temperament.

After diagnosis, treatments like cupping, aromatherapy and bathing, massaging etc are used for treatment.

Spiritual Medicine

This is a filed of medicine which believes in the well-being of the spirit band mind. The body is linked to the spirit and in order for one to be healthy, the other should be well too. This medicine is based on beliefs and religion.

Since religion is defined as the way of living, this type of medicine explores the power of meditation and calming the mind in order to attain peace. It guides us towards achieving peace through a better lifestyle. 

Spiritual healing is also called energy healing and supported by other cultures and countries as well. Surprisingly, scientific research also praises the calming effect that this has in some psychological as well as physical illnesses.

In Pakistan, this is practiced via reading verses of the Quran and prayers in a redundant and specific manner (dam darood), reading the names of Allah and other prayers on a rosary, taweez etc.

Complementary therapies

These can either be used alone, in combination, or paired with any of the above. They include:

  • Physical activity and exercise
  • Nutrition
  • Massage
  • Acupuncture
  • Mind and body practices e.g. meditation and yoga

Which system of Traditional Medicine is most prevalent in Pakistan?

According to Sheikh et al., 2009, modern medicine is prevalent over all other forms of TCM, and amongst TCM, Homeopathy is most commonly opted for, with Yunani medicine being second common.
According to Sheikh et al., 2009, modern medicine is prevalent over all other forms of TCM, and amongst TCM, Homeopathy is most commonly opted for, with Yunani medicine being second common.

Modern Medicine/Allopathy

This is science-based modern medicine based on medication and surgery against symptoms of the disease. Doctors and pharmacists use drugs, radiation, and surgery to treat symptoms and diseases. Treatment includes antibiotics, vaccines, chemotherapeutics. The word ‘allos’ comes from the Greek language and means ‘opposite’ and ‘pathos’ meaning ‘to suffer.’

TCM v.s. MM

Although modern medicine is fast evolving, scientific-based, precise, and more efficient, it is often expensive and has side-effects as well. The technology involved has not yet reached remote areas like villages etc 

Traditional medicine is a thousand years old and practiced more frequently, so many people in Pakistan have strong faith in it. Also, since most ingredients are derived from nature and not chemically synthesized via industrial processes, it is cheaper and thus affordable as well. TCM, like homeopathy, typically has no side-effects. Other TCMs, which include the usage of herbs or minerals or physical processes, may cause unwanted effects and pull of muscles. Often the root cause of the illness is not diagnosed and thus neglected, and the medicines and treatments prescribed may lead to complications of issues and symptoms.

Why do so many different systems exist?

In this colorful and heterogenous wedge of humanity, thought processes, norms, cultures, and beliefs are also as diverse. Every person believes in a different cure and supports and uses that cure. Some people accept more than one health system and some are critical to the rest while only supporting one.

People support the system, which is linked to their areas of residence, their forefathers, their norms, and traditions. Very few venture to understand or practice other approaches. That is why, in Pakistan, the rigid establishment of traditional health systems is stable and steadfast. It doesn’t matter if the cure is practical or influential; if there is a Hakeem in your muhalla and everyone gets their medicine from him, then that is where you are also going.

Is there a possibility for all these systems to combine into one single system?

Wouldn’t it be lovely if all this hullabaloo of choosing a health practitioner and being juggled between different systems was solved and there was only one standard health system practiced throughout the world? It would make life so simple.

As brilliant an idea as it sounds, it is quite impossible due to the opposite beliefs of traditional and modern medicine. Their basic principles have a stark difference. The purpose of each health system is the same; to relieve discomfort and cure disease. Despite that, it is impossible to combine them into one field.

But yes, it is possible to use some systems simultaneously like modern medicine can be paired with any of the complementary therapies e.g., nutrition or yoga, to attain mental peace along with being physically cured. Many Pakistanis, being Muslims, believe in the power of spiritual healing, redundantly reading the name of Allah or a verse of the Quran along with any medicine they use.

Also Read: The comparative reliability of diagnostic tools and laboratory testing in PAKISTAN

Communicating Science during a healthcare emergency

Hassnain Qasim
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Communicating Science during a healthcare emergency

One important aspect of this pandemic has been that it made us identify the scarcity or a lack thereof of a ‘science communication’ culture in Pakistan.

Although we did come across some examples of it through news channels and newspapers, unfortunately, those exemplified How Not To Communicate Science. From overselling diagnostics to misinforming the public about therapeutics, our mainstream media has been, even now, at the forefront of bad science communication. 

We have come across multiple Facebook groups with hundreds and thousands of individuals to chains of WhatsApp forward messages, during the pandemic we have seen how rapidly community networks have developed and grown based on the information they received from the mainstream media, and in many circumstances, these groups and messages themselves have been the source of information for the mainstream media. 

This form of communication which devoid of scientific and journalistic rigor is not only detrimental to health but it also put vulnerable communities at an increased risk. 

The media isn’t the only institution to blame here rather it is a failure of multiple institutions that play an important role in 2 sub-areas of Science Communication a) Public awareness of science b) Public understanding of science.

Except for a few private organizations and startups that work on STEM education, there isn’t one in Pakistan (at least as far as we know) which trains scientists to help inform and make the public understand the scientific reasons behind the processes that influence them and the nature around them. 

When communicating science, the communicator has to be wary of an individual’s or a  community’s personal and cultural values and biases. This is particularly important because while engaging with the general public if we are developing a message which doesn’t consider their literacy and culture, we risk putting the public “against science” instead of “with science.” 

When communicating science, the communicator has to be wary of an individual’s or a  community’s personal and cultural values and biases.

Healthcare emergencies create panic, because they influence us economically, socially, mentally and personally, and it is difficult to predict when it will be over. In such circumstances individuals and communities look towards their personal beliefs and resources as a source of a reaction to the emergency and this response itself is dynamic, which makes science communication not just a complex but also a sensitive venture.  

As a communicator, be that maybe a scientist, the government or a journalist, there is a critical responsibility to inform the public and this process of information dispensation goes through filtration with the following purposes a) not creating a panic b) not overwhelming the public with technical process that they cannot understand c) influencing them to adopt responsible public health measures. Keep in mind that this messaging is different from the one which informs policy. 

While developing the message itself it is important that we write it with scientific integrity to ensure that we communicate the information which is accurate and a similar effort should be made to counter the misinformation infodemic. 

All these factors make it important for the mainstream media or journalism houses to actively reach out to area experts, and not “arm-chair” ones, to guide them in the process of public awareness and understanding. We also risk making the pandemic a partisan issue by inviting politicians to speak about the scientific aspects of it as it may lead to a decrease in the acceptance of public health guidelines. There is no alternative for expertise during a healthcare pandemic where new information is emerging continuously, at times making journals retract previously published scientific work. It is imperative for these media platforms to develop the will and acknowledge the need for making use of scientific expertise and using it for social wellness.  

No doubt that the current reality of the covid crisis is complicated and there are very few tried and tested solutions to ensure. For us to minimize the unintended consequences, it is important that we share scientific information with the public, responsibly, and be cognizant of what kind of information is relevant for effective action.

Authors’ Note: Genes & Machines has been providing a platform for scientific experts to help inform both the public and policy. You can read their recommendations for policy suggestions here and their public awareness session on covid19 here. You can view their continuing efforts for increasing public awareness, understanding and access to science at GenesMachines.io

For communication guidelines and examples of good communication please view CDC Guidelines, Scientific American, and New York Times. 

Author’s Info: 

Hassnain Qasim Bokhari is a science communicator and a synthetic biologist currently affiliated with the iGEM Foundation, USA. He also works with STEM-focused organizations working on community development, education and advocacy. He tweets at @QasimHassnain

Marsad Siddique is the Founder and CEO of Sukoon.ai, and an undergrad biotech student. He also works as part of the After iGEM HS committee in research and analysis as well as Genes & Machines’ core team and absolutely loves to write be it poetry prose or hot takes on @marsadswords on Instagram. Twitter: @marsadist

Also Read: Adjusting to the exigent life of a Broadcaster under Coronavirus lockdown~ Zeeshan Haider

Three outstanding missions to Mars are set to launch this month

Saadeqa Khan
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Three outstanding missions to Mars are set to launch this month

Three Nations, China, UAE, and the US, are eager to launch their missions to Mars in a few weeks. Each of these missions is a pathfinder in its own right. Mars is well known to space communities as a graveyard to failed rovers or spacecraft. Besides these failures, a few historic missions to Mars proved successful beyond the Scientist’s imagination and helped rewrite the Red Giant’s understandings. These new missions aim to explore two hidden parts of Mars that never have been seen before. 

China’s first exploration of Mars

After successfully launching its mission to the moon, China aims to explore the Red Giant with an orbiter; lander and rover are all packed with around 13 with the most advanced instruments for scientific research. The mission named “Tiawen-1” is scheduled to launch in late July (Last week of July) from an island of Southern China. The word Tiawen stands for the quest of heavenly truth about the planet, which is assumed the next possible home of mankind in our solar system. The spacecraft will reach Mars in February 2021 and conduct a survey of the landing site, its internal structure. Also, the equipment’s onboard will research on Mars atmosphere and surface environment, presence of water, and will find other essential signs for life. 

The Chinese government has been tight lip in disclosing information about their Mars voyage. Some researchers from the Chinese Academy of Space Technology in Beijing accepted that this mission to Mars is 1000 times longer and harder than the Chinese journey to the moon; the dense rocks and surface gravity make our mission much riskier and highly challenging. 

Tianwen-1 undergoing tests in 2019

UAE’s interplanetary hope mission

UAE is set to blast off its orbiter around Mars, named “hope,” which will be the first interplanetary venture of the Arab world. It was scheduled to be launched on 15th July from the Tanegashima Space Centre in Kagoshima, Japan, but due to bad weather and technical concerns, the launch has been halted, and it is supposed to happen in the next two weeks. 

The Emirates Mars Mission (EMM) aims to produce the first weather map of the Red Giant. Its huge elliptical orbit will enable the orbiter to observe big chunks of Mars under both day and night timings, covering the entire planet in each 55 hours. Previously, the orbiters around Mars were limited to observe the weather pattern of the planet.

The hope orbiter will reach the Red giant in early 2021, and with the help of three instruments on board, it will study the Mars atmosphere and climate patterns. These observations will give more insights to researchers, from a relatively warm and wet world to a cold, desert planet we know Mars now. That transition was driven by the disposing of Mars’ once-thick atmosphere by the solar wind. The Solar winds are the stream of charged particles flowing from the sun.

The UAE's Hope Mars mission is now targeting a launch between July 19 and July 21, 2020. (Image: © MBRSC)
The UAE’s Hope Mars mission is now targeting a launch between July 19 and July 21, 2020. (Image: © MBRSC)

NASA’s Perseverance rover to Mars

NASA aims to launch its six-wheeled rover named perseverance, which will collect the Martian rock samples and bring back to earth for further in-depth analysis. As per official recourses, a three-meter long rover will only extract and store rock samples that a future mission will pick up and bring back to earth. The rover is poise to blast off in the last week of July and reach the Red giant in early 2021. Whereas, the mission will possibly end in 2031 when a 2nd mission launch and researchers would have the first-ever sample of the Martian surface. The purpose will allow the researchers to deeply dive into the Martian surface and find an answer to the long-lived question of every curious mind that whether life is possible on Mars and mankind can build colonies there. 

For this, the rover is well equipped with research instruments. Basically, perseverance is a copy of NASA’ Curiosity rover with similar sensors and a chemical analyzer that blasts rocks with a laser to identify the atoms and molecules they are composed of. The rover also has a sharp-eyed camera system that can zoom in on areas of interest to produce stereo and 3D pictures.

NASA’s aimed to save money by using the same design of curiosity rover with some tweaks, like adding a system to store samples and upgrading the wheels. 

Also, Read: Buzz of the space wonder; Comet Neowise

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