Health & Education Archives - Page 2 of 16

30 minutes of daily exercise may help prevent type 2 diabetes: Study

September 14, 2026 by Pakistan Desk

ROME: Just 30 minutes of aerobic exercise a day may help improve blood glucose levels and insulin sensitivity, potentially reducing the long-term risk of developing type 2 diabetes, according to an Italian study.

Researchers at the Centro per le Malattie Endocrine e Metaboliche studied 32 healthy people between the ages of 20 and 35 who were not taking any medication.

Participants underwent glucose testing before being asked to perform light jogging. Their blood glucose and insulin levels were tested again 24 hours after exercise.

The researchers found that 30 minutes of aerobic exercise produced an immediate improvement in blood glucose levels and increased insulin sensitivity.

The findings also suggested that the benefits of exercise may persist for up to 24 hours, with lower blood glucose levels and improved insulin sensitivity observed after physical activity.

Researchers said the results support earlier evidence that regular physical activity can improve glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity over the long term.

They said making exercise a regular part of daily life could help reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

The study’s findings were published in the Journal of Endocrinological Investigation.

Ebola cases surpass 7,000 in Congo as death toll reaches 3,398

September 12, 2026 by abid khan

KINSHASA: Confirmed Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo have surpassed 7,000, with the death toll reaching 3,398, according to the latest government figures.

Reuters reported that 7,022 confirmed cases had been recorded in the country as of Sept. 10, while 1,671 patients had recovered.

The case fatality rate stood at 48.4%, according to the figures. Health authorities said the outbreak had spread to 62 health zones across seven provinces.

South Ubangi became the latest province to report an Ebola case. The patient, a 23-year-old man who had traveled from South Kivu, was confirmed to have the virus and later died.

South Ubangi does not border the six provinces where Ebola cases had previously been confirmed: Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Haut-Uele, Tshopo and Bas-Uele.

The current outbreak, first declared in May, has been described as the largest and deadliest Ebola outbreak in Congo’s history. Globally, it is considered the second-largest Ebola outbreak after the 2014-2016 epidemic in West Africa.

Pakistan reports fourth polio case of 2026

September 11, 2026 by Pakistan Desk

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has reported its fourth polio case of the year, with the latest case detected in Bannu district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, health authorities said Friday.

According to the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC), the affected child is from the Naurar union council of Miryan tehsil in Bannu. Three of the four polio cases reported in Pakistan this year have emerged from the Bannu division.

NEOC officials said security challenges had prevented health teams from maintaining regular access to children in parts of Bannu division. Polio teams have been unable to regularly reach children in Naurar union council since 2025, they said.

Officials warned that the continued presence of unvaccinated children was allowing the poliovirus to circulate in southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. While transmission of the virus has declined nationally, the risk remains high in southern parts of the province, they said.

Pakistan reported 31 polio cases in 2025, according to the NEOC.

The next nationwide polio vaccination campaign will run from Sept. 21 to 27, with health authorities planning to administer polio drops to about 31 million children.

The NEOC said polio vaccination was safe and effective and had been used in 195 countries.

Pakistan has no nationality-based ban on medical students, PMDC says

September 10, 2026 by Pakistan Desk

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has imposed no restrictions on Afghan students or students of any particular nationality seeking medical education in the country, the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council said Thursday.

The council said its rules and visa requirements applied equally to all foreign students, without discrimination based on nationality.

More than 200 Afghan medical students have been identified in Pakistan, but only 22 are legally registered with the PMDC, according to the council.

Of those registered, 14 have completed their medical education, while eight are expected to graduate next year.

The records and documents of the remaining 176 students are being verified, the PMDC said.

It stressed that obtaining a medical degree alone does not grant a person the right to remain in Pakistan or practise medicine there. Graduates seeking to practise must obtain a PMDC licence and hold a valid visa, it said.

The council said students who are not registered cannot be considered legal students under Pakistan’s medical education system.

It added that affected students were being facilitated in completing required documentation and, where necessary, making an orderly and dignified return.

The PMDC said Pakistan welcomed foreign students who met all applicable legal and regulatory requirements.

DRAP issues final warning to pharmaceutical firms over product records

September 9, 2026 by Pakistan Desk

ISLAMABAD: The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has issued a final warning to pharmaceutical companies to correct and update their product records through its e-App software after the deadline for online verification expired.

The move is aimed at improving the accuracy of medicine records and strengthening regulatory oversight of pharmaceutical products across Pakistan. DRAP said the deadline for companies to verify and update their product information online has now passed.

Companies that still need to make corrections must contact DRAP’s Management Information System (MIS) Division and submit a formal application outlining the changes they want to make.

The authority said applicants must provide documentary evidence supporting the requested amendments. Relevant documents must be attached to allow DRAP to verify the accuracy and validity of the information. The MIS Division will accept applications for record corrections until Sept. 15.

DRAP said the supporting documents will be reviewed before any changes are made to product records. The verification process is intended to ensure that only accurate and authenticated information is entered into the system.

Global cancer cases could rise 67% by 2050, report says

September 8, 2026 by World Desk

LONDON: The number of new cancer cases worldwide could increase by 67% by 2050 compared with 2024, according to joint research by the American Cancer Society and the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer.

Researchers estimated that nearly 21 million new cancer cases were recorded worldwide in 2024, along with about 9.8 million deaths from the disease.

The projections suggest that roughly one in five people worldwide could develop cancer at some point in their lives in the coming decades. The risk of dying from cancer is estimated at about one in nine for men and one in 13 for women.

By 2050, annual cancer cases could reach approximately 67 million, representing a 67% increase from 2024, the research found.

Researchers described cancer as one of the major medical challenges of the 21st century and a significant obstacle to increasing life expectancy worldwide. They said understanding the changing global cancer burden could help governments and health systems improve prevention and control strategies.

The researchers also estimated that nearly half of cancer deaths could currently be prevented, emphasizing the importance of early detection and timely access to effective treatment.

Data from the IARC showed increases in cancer cases and deaths across 186 countries involving 34 types of cancer. However, the researchers noted that cancer does not affect all regions equally.

Cancer rates were reported to be higher in Australia and New Zealand, while lower rates were recorded in Africa and South and Central Asia.

Lung cancer remained the most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide in 2024, with about 2.6 million new cases and 1.9 million deaths.

Breast cancer was the second most common, with about 2.4 million cases and 694,000 deaths. Colorectal cancer ranked third in terms of new cases, with more than 2 million diagnoses, and was the second-leading cause of cancer deaths, accounting for about 918,000 deaths.

Liver cancer recorded about 843,000 new cases and 732,000 deaths, making it the third-leading cancer cause of death globally.

Among men, bladder cancer was the second most commonly diagnosed cancer and the fourth-leading cause of cancer deaths, with about 1.5 million cases and 420,000 deaths.

The research also highlighted rising rates of stomach, cervical and pancreatic cancers. About 980,000 stomach cancer cases and 642,000 deaths were recorded, while thyroid cancer accounted for roughly 959,000 cases, making it the sixth most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide.

PMA demands complete transparency in MDCAT 2026

September 7, 2026 by Pakistan Desk

KARACHI: The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) has called for complete transparency and foolproof security in the upcoming Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT), scheduled for Sept. 20, 2026, while demanding an independent forensic audit of private medical and dental colleges across the country.

In a statement, the PMA said entrance tests such as the MDCAT remain necessary for assessing prospective medical students but stressed that long-term reforms should focus on improving primary and secondary education.

The association said previous MDCAT examinations have faced controversies, administrative problems and allegations of paper leaks under different testing bodies.

It urged authorities to ensure a secure and merit-based examination process so that future medical professionals are selected through a transparent system.

The PMA argued that a strong school education system should adequately prepare students for higher medical education.

It said bringing primary and secondary education up to international standards could eventually reduce reliance on centralized, high-stakes entrance examinations.

The association also expressed concern over what it described as the commercialization of medical education in Pakistan.

It alleged that some private medical colleges operate with inadequate staffing, inefficient faculty structures and part-time teachers while seeking increases in the number of seats.

The PMA raised concerns about the quality of instruction at some institutions, alleging that non-specialized or inadequately qualified individuals have been involved in teaching undergraduate medical students.

It warned that poorly trained medical graduates could pose risks to public safety and result in the loss of valuable national resources.

The PMA called for an immediate and independent audit of private medical and dental colleges, including reviews of faculty qualifications, clinical facilities and physical infrastructure.

It also demanded strict legal and regulatory action against institutions that fail to meet minimum accreditation and educational standards.

The association further called on the government to strengthen public-sector medical universities, increase funding and expand the number of medical seats available to talented students from low- and middle-income families.

The PMA said high tuition fees and other financial barriers have made private medical education inaccessible to many deserving students.

It argued that expanding and strengthening public-sector institutions would help promote equal opportunity while protecting merit in medical education.

Sindh confirms another Mpox case, total cases rise to 41

September 4, 2026 by Pakistan Desk

KARACHI: Sindh has reported another confirmed mpox case, bringing the total number of cases reported in the province this year to 41.

According to , a 19-year-old man from interior Sindh was diagnosed with mpox after being brought to the Sindh Infectious Diseases Hospital in Karachi on Thursday.

The patient reported a rash on his body, prompting doctors to send samples for testing. A PCR test confirmed the mpox infection, and the patient has been admitted to the hospital’s isolation ward.

Of the 41 confirmed cases reported this year, 28 have been recorded in Sindh outside Karachi, while 13 have been reported in Karachi.

Sindh reports three confirmed Mpox cases

September 3, 2026 by Pakistan Desk

KARACHI: Sindh has reported four new mpox cases, three of which have been confirmed, according to officials at Sindh Infectious Diseases Hospital in NIPA.

Hospital sources said three confirmed cases and one suspected case were reported at the hospital. Two of the confirmed cases are from interior Sindh and involve a father and his daughter, while the third confirmed patient is a 46-year-old resident of Federal B Area in Karachi.

PCR tests confirmed mpox in all three patients, while test results for the suspected case are still pending, according to hospital sources.

The latest cases bring the number of confirmed mpox cases reported in Sindh this year to 39, while Karachi has recorded 13 confirmed cases overall.

Mpox is a viral disease caused by a virus belonging to the same family as the virus that causes smallpox. Common symptoms include fever, headache, body aches, weakness and a rash that can develop into painful or itchy lesions. Swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpits or groin can also occur.

Health experts said the virus can spread through close physical contact with an infected person, including direct contact with rashes or lesions and through contaminated clothing, towels and bedding. Symptoms can appear within 21 days after exposure.

Experts advised avoiding close contact with infected people, maintaining isolation until recovery and practicing good hand hygiene to help reduce the spread of the virus.

SHCC probes alleged medical negligence in private hospital of Karachi

September 2, 2026 by Pakistan Desk

KARACHI: The Sindh Healthcare Commission has launched an investigation into an alleged case involving a private hospital in Karachi’s Nazimabad area where a woman was reportedly subjected to a cesarean section despite not being pregnant.

According the CCTV footage showing the woman visiting the private hospital for medical examinations before the reported surgery.

According to the footage, the woman visited the hospital several times for medical checkups, accompanied by her husband. The case has raised questions about how hospital staff allegedly failed to determine that she was not pregnant despite repeated examinations.

The woman reportedly visited the hospital on Aug. 18 for a medical examination. She was also called to the hospital several times last month before the operation.

The CCTV footage has raised further questions about the hospital administration and medical staff, including whether appropriate diagnostic examinations were conducted before the alleged C-section.

The Sindh Healthcare Commission has begun investigating the matter to determine what happened and whether any medical or administrative negligence was involved.