Diphtheria crisis in KPK

Unravelling the Diphtheria Crisis in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa

Unravelling the Diphtheria Crisis in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa: Navigating a Global Legacy of Disease and A Call to Solution
In the shadow of the COVID-19 and dengue battles, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) is now confronting a grave outbreak of diphtheria, marking a sombre chapter in the province’s health history. With 16 lives lost and 328 individuals infected across 28 districts between January and October, the urgency to address longstanding issues in vaccination efforts and healthcare infrastructure becomes more pressing than ever.
It is essential to recognize the global historical context of this infectious disease. Diphtheria, a bacterial infection caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae, has left an indelible mark on public health worldwide. Understanding its historical trajectory offers insights into the urgency of addressing the current crisis.
Global Historical Context
Diphtheria has been a recurring threat throughout history, with devastating consequences for populations around the world. Before the advent of widespread vaccination, particularly in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, diphtheria was a leading cause of mortality among children.
In the late 1800s, the introduction of the diphtheria antitoxin marked a significant advancement in treatment. However, preventive measures, such as vaccination, only gained prominence in the mid-20th century. The development and widespread use of the diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP) vaccine played a crucial role in reducing the incidence of diphtheria globally.
Impact on Global Health
Prior to the widespread implementation of vaccination programs, diphtheria outbreaks were particularly devastating in densely populated areas and among communities with limited access to healthcare. The disease’s hallmark symptom, a thick grayish coating in the throat and respiratory tract, often led to respiratory failure and death.
Efforts to control diphtheria intensified in the mid-20th century, and the incorporation of the DTP vaccine into routine immunization schedules contributed to a substantial decline in diphtheria cases globally. The World Health Organization (WHO) has been instrumental in advocating for and facilitating vaccination programs to curb the spread of the disease.
Present Challenges in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa
Despite significant progress in reducing diphtheria on a global scale, the recent outbreak in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa highlights persistent challenges, including inadequate vaccination efforts and a shortage of essential medical resources. This serves as a stark reminder that infectious diseases, even those with available vaccines, can resurface and wreak havoc if preventive measures falter.
Causes
The diphtheria outbreak’s roots lie in historical failures to immunize children adequately. Although the immunization rate for children under two stands at 90 percent across the province, adults and the elderly remain vulnerable due to past lapses in vaccination campaigns. Shockingly, 89 percent of reported diphtheria cases across all age groups have no history of vaccination.

The scarcity of the anti-diphtheria serum is compounding the crisis, essential for treating the disease. Major healthcare facilities lack this crucial serum, and the international supply chain, predominantly reliant on India and Russia, is both unreliable and time-consuming.
Way forward
Intensification of Vaccination Efforts
• Launching comprehensive vaccination campaigns targeting both children and adults, learning from past shortcomings.
• Utilization of the electronic immunization registration system to monitor and manage vaccinations for all children.
• Addressing vaccine hesitancy among parents through targeted awareness programs.
• Ensuring a Stable Supply of Anti-Diphtheria Serum:
• Collaboration with international organizations to establish a sustainable supply chain for the anti-diphtheria serum.
• Exploration of domestic production or alternative sources to reduce dependence on a limited international supplier.
• Inclusion of anti-diphtheria serum in the list of essential medicines procured for all hospitals, irrespective of their immunization program status.
Implementation of Robust Preventive Measures
• Drawing lessons from successful preventive measures implemented during the caretaker government’s tenure.
• Allocating resources strategically to support proactive preventive measures, considering existing financial constraints.
• Collaboration with international organizations to conduct research on the root causes of the outbreak and develop targeted interventions.
Conclusion
The diphtheria outbreak in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa is not merely a current crisis; it is intertwined with a history marked by the toll of infectious diseases. Urgent action is imperative to address issues in vaccination efforts and healthcare infrastructure. The lives lost to diphtheria serve as a poignant reminder of the province’s health struggles, emphasizing the need for swift, strategic, and sustained action to protect the well-being of its citizens and pave the way for a healthier future.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has crossed another important milestone towards e-governance

خیبرپختونخوا حکومت نے ای گورننس کی جانب ایک اور اہم سنگ میل عبور کرلیا

صوبائی محکموں کی ڈیجیٹلائزیشن میں خیبرپختونخوا ملک کا پہلا صوبہ بن گیا۔صوبے کے انتظامی محکموں میں فائل ورک کو پیپرلیس بنانے کیلئے کے پی ڈیجیٹل ورک اسپیس کے نام سے ای گورننس پلیٹ فارم کا باضابطہ اجراءکیا گیا۔ای گورننس پلیٹ فارم کے اجراء کی تقریب کا انعقاد وزیر اعلی ہاؤسمیں کی گئی ۔ تقریب کے مہمان خصوصی نگران  وزیر اعلیٰ محمد اعظم خان تھے ۔جنہوں نے ای گورننس پلیٹ فارم کے پی ڈیجیٹل ورک اسپیس کا باقاعدہ اجراءکیا۔ڈیجیٹل ورک اسپیس سے مختلف سرکاری محکموں میں فائل ورک اور دیگر روزمرہ کے امور آن لائن نظام پر منتقل ہونگے۔اس اقدام سے سرکاری امور کی انجام دہی میں وقت کی بچت اور شفافیت یقینی ہوگی۔ڈیجیٹل ورک اسپیس سے کاغذ کا استعمال ختم ہو جائے گا۔ جس کے ماحول پر بھی مثبت اثرات مرتب ہوں گے۔اس آن لائن نظام سے سرکاری محکموں کی استعداد کار میں کئی گنا اضافہ ہوگا۔

تقر یب سے خطا ب کر تے ہو ئے نگران وزیر اعلیٰ محمد اعظم خان نے بتا یا یہ ای گورننس کی طرف ایک اہم اقدام ہےپیپر لیس سسٹم سے سرکاری محکموں کے  استعداد کار میں اضافہ ہوگا۔اس اقدام  سے سرکاری اُمور میں شفافیت کو یقینی بنانے کے ساتھ ساتھ وسائل کے ضیاع کو بھی روکا جاسکے گا۔ای گورننس منصوبے کے تحت ڈاکو منٹ ورک فلو مینجمنٹ سسٹم تیار کیاگیا ہے جس سے وقت اور وسائل دونوں کی بچت ہو گی ۔

وزیر اعلیٰ محمد اعظم خان نے مزید کہا کہ خیبر پختو نخوا سپیشل ٹیکنا لو جی زونز کے قیا م میں بھی سبقت لے گیا ہے جس سے معاشی استحکام اور روزگار کی تخلیق میں اہم کردار ادا کریں گے صوبے کے نوجوانوں کو جدید دور اور مارکیٹ کے تقاضوں سے ہم آہنگ کرنے کیلئے انفارمیشن ٹیکنالوجی اور ٹیکنکل سکلز سکھائے جارہے ہیں۔نوجوان نسل کو انفارمیشن ٹیکنالوجی اور دیگر ٹیکنکل سکلز سکھانے کیلئے خاطر خواہ وسائل خرچ کئے جارہے ہیں۔وزیراعلی نےتقر یب سے خطا ب کر تے ہو ئے بتا یا صوبے میں سائنس و انفارمیشن ٹیکنالوجی کے شعبے کے فروغ کو بھی خصوصی توجہ دی گئی ہے ۔اس مقصد کیلئے اربوں روپے مالیت کے منصوبوں پر کام ہو رہا ہے۔ وزیر اعلی خیبر پختو نخوا نےای گورننس کو عملی جامہ پہنانے پر محکمہ سائنس و انفارمیشن ٹیکنالوجی ، کے پی آئی ٹی بورڈ اور دیگر شراکت داروں کو داد دی ۔صوبے میں آئی ٹی کے شعبے میں جدت لانے کیلئے معاونت فراہم کرنے پر ورلڈ بینک اور دیگر شراکت داروں کا بھی شکریہ ادا کیا۔

Snowfall in upper reaches of Balakot Kaghan valley

بالاکوٹ وادی کاغان کے بالائی علاقوں میں برفباری

بالاکوٹ وادی کاغان کے بالائی علاقوں میں برفباری سیاحوں کو کاغان ڈویلپمنٹ اتھارٹی کے اہلکاروں نے محفوظ مقام پر منتقل کردیا گزشتہ روز بالاکوٹ و گردونواح میں بارش جبکہ وادی کاغان کے بالائی علاقوں بابو سر ٹاپ جھیل لولوسر بٹہ کنڈی جھیل سیف الملوک پر بھی برفباری کا سلسلہ شروع ہوگیا ناران سے چند کلو میٹر اگے جھیل لولو سر کے مقام پر برفباری کے بعد ڈائریکٹر جنرل کاغان ڈویلپمنٹ اتھارٹی محمد طارق خان کی ہدایت پر سیاحوں کو محفوظ مقام پر کاغان ڈویلپمنٹ اتھارٹی کے اہلکاروں نے منتقل کردیا کے ڈی اے حکام کے مطابق شاہراہ کاغان اس وقت ناران تک مکمل طور پر بحال ہے سیاح برفباری سے لطف اندوز ہونے کے لئے ناران جا سکتے ہیں

Iqbal and Muslim Ummah

Iqbal’s Message for Youth

Iqbal’s Message for Youth
Shahzad Masood Roomi

Dr. Muhammad Iqbal, also known as Allama Iqbal, was a renowned poet, philosopher, and thinker of the Indian subcontinent. His profound and insightful poetry, deeply rooted in Islamic spirituality and universal human values, has had a profound impact on generations of readers and continues to resonate with people around the world. Iqbal’s message, particularly for youth, is one of self-discovery, empowerment, and social transformation.

Iqbal viewed youth as the driving force of progress and societal change hence it is no surprise that youth is the target of his message for call of action. He believed that young people possess immense potential to shape their own destinies and contribute meaningfully to the world around them. His poetry is replete with exhortations for youth to break free from the shackles of conformity, embrace self-reliance, and pursue their aspirations with unwavering determination. He believed that for youth to excel, the first and foremost thing they must do is to get out of their comfort zones both mentally and physically. Only then, Iqbal believed, they can be source of native ideas to bring around a lasting change.

Among his works for youth, one of Iqbal’s most powerful messages for youth is the concept of “Khudi” or “self.” It is an invitation of rediscovery for young minds of enslaved Indian subcontinent during the early 20th century. Khudi, in Iqbal’s philosophy, is the essence of selfhood, the spark of individuality that distinguishes each person and holds the key to personal growth and fulfillment. Iqbal urged youth to cultivate their Khudi, to recognize their unique potential, and to strive for self-actualization. He declared Khudi an instrument of spiritual elevation of a person’s inner believes so high that he can write the destiny of whole generation.

Iqbal’s concept of Khudi is not merely about personal ambition or self-aggrandizement. It is about understanding one’s place in the universe, recognizing one’s unique talents and abilities, and utilizing them for the betterment of oneself and society. Khudi is not a static concept; it is a dynamic process of self-discovery and growth.

Iqbal’s relevance in present times and his message being a guiding light for contemporary youth is evident from the fact that today’s world is being led by individuals who recognized and embraced their individuality and developed it.

Iqbal’s message for youth remains as relevant today as it was in his own time. In an era of globalization, rapid technological advancements, and societal complexities, young people face unprecedented challenges and opportunities. Iqbal’s poetry offers a guiding light, illuminating the path towards self-discovery, personal excellence, and meaningful engagement with the world. If we look at modern age developments in business and technological world, we see the world is being shaped by inventions of individuals who excelled on their gifted talents and didn’t rely on educational institutions. They have created business and technological empires through their higher and unique ideas alone.

Iqbal have used the Eagle (Shaheen) as a metaphor in his message to young minds. He says if youth wants to see its true potential, they must have ideas as high as flight of Shaheen.

In a world often consumed by materialism and instant gratification, Iqbal’s emphasis on self-reliance, intellectual pursuit, and moral integrity provides a refreshing perspective. His call for social justice, human dignity, and the pursuit of knowledge resonates deeply with the aspirations of contemporary youth.

Iqbal’s poetry encourages youth to embark on a journey of self-discovery, to explore their inner potential, and to cultivate the qualities necessary for personal excellence. He reminds them that true fulfillment lies not in external achievements but in the development of a strong, resilient, and compassionate self.

Allama Iqbal’s legacy extends far beyond his literary works. His profound insights into human nature, his unwavering faith in humanity’s potential, and his unwavering commitment to social justice continue to inspire and empower individuals around the world. His message for youth, particularly his emphasis on self-discovery, self-reliance, and social responsibility, remains as relevant today as it was in his own time. Iqbal’s poetry serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration, urging youth to embrace their potential, contribute meaningfully to society, and strive for a better future for all.