Smog or Smoking 30 cigarettes a day
As the temperature drops, pharmacies become crowded with people reaching out for face masks, educational institutions close to protect the brilliant minds of the coming generations, employees call in sick with runny noses and wheezing chests and the city of Lahore comes to a standstill. Smog has unfortunately become a staple in the early winter season of Lahore which was once renowned for its beauty and gardens.Traditionally, fog added a touch of charm to the tough winter season for Lahori residents. However, recent Novembers have brought dread as thick clouds of smoke, mingling with fog, loom over Lahore. This hazardous combination poses a significant health risk, particularly for vulnerable groups such as children, the immunocompromised, and those with asthma.In a concerning research finding, The University of Chicago revealed that the average age of Lahori residents is dropping by 7 years annually due to the impact of smog. With the Air Quality Index surpassing 500 in numerous locations, breathing in the present polluted air is equivalent to smoking 30 cigarettes daily. This alarming data underscores the urgent need for effective measures to address the smog crisis in Lahore. How is smog formed? Smog or more appropriately, photochemical smog forms when gaseous pollutants (volatile organic compounds like nitrogen oxide) participate in chemical reactions in the presence of sunlight. While there is a natural element to its formation, human activity is the primary cause of its aggravation.Emissions from factories, power plants, and vehicles are a strong contributing factor to the high concentrations of pollutants in the air. In the regrettable scenario of Lahore, a major contributor to the issue is the burning of crop residue at the beginning of the wheat-planting season. When combined with decreasing temperatures, this practice leads to the entrapment of harmful fumes in the air, hindering their dispersion. What are the health hazards? Smog is a direct irritant to the eyes, increasing the risk of eye infections, like conjunctivitis. Inhaling the polluted air of Lahore is also likely to irritate the respiratory passages, leading to intense throat inflammation and runny noses. Prolonged exposure may also raise the risk of neurological, like disorientation and confusion, and cardiopulmonary disorders. Naturally, volatile organic compounds have been shown to have carcinogenic properties, thus the risk of cancer is also present.Polluted air is the ultimate nightmare for asthmatics, since smog enhances the risk of severe asthma attacks which may prove life-threatening. As for children, it reduces immunity, leaving them vulnerable to infection. A recent report from Punjab Healthcare highlights a staggering figure of 12,000 individuals hospitalized directly due to the impact of smog in this 2023 season. This is only an estimate of the real numbers affected which are projected to be much higher. The Way Forward Authorities are actively addressing the recent smog crisis in Lahore, implementing temporary closures of schools, markets, and parks this week. However, this approach has proven ineffective over the years, necessitating a more sustainable solution for the city of gardens.To enhance air quality in the long term, stringent monitoring of farmers during the wheat-planting season is essential. Powerplants should be encouraged to responsibly use fossil fuels, particularly as winter sets in. Large-scale industries must adopt eco-friendly production methods, and the incorporation of Carbon Tax can serve as a deterrent, curbing healthcare costs associated with their activities.Public awareness is crucial, educating Lahori citizens on how to protect themselves from this significant health hazard. By combining proactive measures and community engagement, a lasting improvement in Lahore’s air quality can be achieved.
International Nursing Day
The International Nursing Day was celebrated on 12th May 2018 to promote awareness with regards to the role and importance of nursing in the health profession, and to celebrate the nursing staff of Shalamar Hospital.
Sakina Begum Institute of Diabetes and Endocrine Research (SIDER) awareness camp
Sakina Begum Institute of Diabetes and Endocrine Research (SIDER) in collaboration with Akhuwat Foundation conducted an awareness camp on Saturday, 9th November 2019. The camp was conducted to spread awareness about Diabetes and curtail its incidence through education, prevention and monitoring. The attendees were also provided with free medical consultation including BMI, Vitals and Blood Sugar Tests.
Awareness Session on Acute Medicine and Critical Care
Business Planning and Development Department in collaboration with Acute Medicine and Critical Care Unit conducted an Awareness Session on Acute Medicine and Critical Care. The session was conducted by Prof. Dr. Mujeeb ur Rehman Abid Butt, Dr. Ahmed Nadeem and Dr. Abdul Salam. The Chief Operating Officer (COO) Dr. Tanveer Rana also addressed the audience.
World Diabetes Day 2021
World Diabetes day is celebrated every year on 14th November for the awareness and prevention from diabetes. For this reason, SIDER (Sakina Institute of Diabetes and Endocrine Resarch) department of Shalamar Hospital in collaboration with Business Planning and Development department organized an awareness walk, seminar and free medical camp for the patients in which the patients were educated about preventive measures for diabetes. Patients were offered the facility of blood sugar test along with free medicines. The Chief Executive (CE) of Shalamar Institute of Health Sciences, Brig (Retd.) Anis Ahmed, Principal Shalamar Medical and Dental College (SMDC), Mr. Zahid Bashir, Chief Operating Officer (COO) Shalamar Hospital, Dr. Ayesha Nauman, In charge SIDER, Dr. Maria Javed attended the event along with various doctors, nurses and students of SMDC. Dr. Maria Javed addressing the seminar stressed upon the importance of an awareness campaign about prevention from diabetes which cannot be possible without government`s support. She further added that the prices of the medicines should be controlled so that the patients can easily consume them. Dr. Rozina Arshad told the audience about the SIDER department`s way of working. On this occasion, SIDER`s nutritionist Ms. Asma Shahid said that one of the major reasons of diabetes is unhealthy lifestyle. The Chief Guest of the seminar, Deputy Head of Mission from the German Ambassy, Dr. Philip Deichmann and Chairman Board of Trustees, Mr. Shahid Hussain also addressed the audience. The General Manager Marketing, Mr. Usman Suleman and In charge SIDER, Dr. Maria Javed thanked the pharmaceutical companies, staff members and other guests for their presence at the seminar and camp.
World Pneumonia Day 2021
To increase the awareness in the general public about Pneumonia and to reduce its incidence through prevention education and monitoring, the World Pneumonia Day is conducted globally every year. In this context the Pulmonology Department and Business Planning and Development-SIHS has jointly organized awareness activities on Saturday, 20th November 2021. The activities included plantation and cake cutting ceremony which was followed by an awareness lecture by Dr. Samar Asim and Dr. Akhtar Ali from Pulmonology department.
7th Convocation of Shalamar Medical & Dental College – 2021
The 7th Convocation of Shalamar Medical & Dental College was held in the premises of the college. 149 passed-out graduates were conferred with degrees by the Vice-Chancellor UHS; Prof. Dr. Javed Akram.The passed-out students took a pledge. The Chief Guest, Prof. Dr. Syed Javed Raza Gardezi awarded Gold Medal to the Best Graduate Dr. Tayyaba Arshad and a Silver Medal to the second best graduate Dr. Shamazia Asif for their achievement. The Chief Guest;Prof. Dr. Syed Javed Raza Gardezi and Vice Chancellor, University of Health Sciences Prof. Dr. Javed Akram also addressed the convocation. The Chairman BOT Mr. Shahid Hussain stated that Shalamar Institute of Health Sciences has grown over the years and has maintained its enviable position in all the three facets; medical education; provision of medical care to patients and research. It hasproduced competent Doctors, Allied Health Professionals and Nursing staff to serve the country and beyond. The Principal Shalamar Medical & Dental College, Prof. M. Zahid Bashir presented the college report and congratulated the graduates. Member Board of Trustees Syed Babar Ali,Mr. Ibrar A. Mumtaz, Ch. Omar Saeed, Mr. M. Munir Chaudhry, Chief Executive Shalamar Institute of Health Sciences Brig. (R) Anis Ahmed, Chief Operating Officer Shalamar Hospital Dr. Ayesha Nauman , Faculty, doctors and parents of the students also attended the convocation.