Health & Education Archives - Page 3 of 13

Pakistan steps up preventive measures amid global Ebola concerns

May 21, 2026 by Newsdesk

ISLAMABAD: The spread of the deadly Ebola outbreak originating in African countries has raised global alarm, with the World Health Organization declaring the situation a serious public health concern.

In response to the potential threat, Pakistan’s Ministry of Health has initiated precautionary measures and directed the National Institute of Health to ensure the availability of laboratory testing kits and take all necessary preparedness steps.

The ministry has also instructed Border Health Services authorities to remain on high alert and intensify screening of passengers arriving from Uganda and Democratic Republic of the Congo at airports across the country.

Officials said symptoms of Ebola hemorrhagic fever closely resemble those of dengue virus, prompting health authorities to advise medical staff to exercise extra caution while handling suspected cases.

According to officials from Pakistan’s federal health ministry, the situation within the country remains fully under control and there is no immediate cause for concern.

Meanwhile, more than 300 suspected Ebola cases and 80 deaths have been reported in affected African countries so far. A team from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has also arrived in the affected regions to assist response efforts.

North Waziristan student becomes one of World’s youngest ACCA qualifiers

May 19, 2026 by Newsdesk

MIRANSHAH: A student from Pakistan’s tribal district of North Waziristan has achieved a rare academic milestone by completing the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) qualification at just 16 years and 11 months of age.

Abdul Rehman Khan Dawar, who hails from Miranshah, said he accomplished the feat despite limited educational facilities and challenging conditions in the region.

He is being recognized as one of the youngest ACCA qualifiers in Pakistan, surpassing a previous record held by Karachi student Sameera, who completed the qualification at 17 years and 8 months.

According to Abdul Rehman, he also completed a bachelor’s degree from Oxford Brookes University in London at an early age, highlighting his academic progress alongside the professional certification.

He said his achievement was not only a personal milestone but also a message for students in underdeveloped regions that determination and hard work can overcome limited resources.

Abdul Rehman added that youth in tribal districts have strong potential but need better opportunities and guidance to succeed in higher education and professional fields.

He expressed hope that his success would inspire students across Pakistan’s remote areas to pursue advanced education and aim for international qualifications.

PMDC announces MDCAT 2026 date

May 19, 2026 by Newsdesk

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council on Tuesday announced that the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) 2026 will be held on Aug. 16, 2026.

The council said the test will take place on a Sunday and confirmed that the syllabus from 2025 will remain in effect for the upcoming examination.

The PMDC advised students to stay updated through its official website for further details and announcements regarding exam arrangements.

The MDCAT is a key entry requirement for admission to medical and dental colleges across Pakistan.

Pakistan launches Hepatitis C elimination programme: Mustafa Kamal

May 13, 2026 by Newsdesk

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Health Mustafa Kamal has revealed that around 10 million people in Pakistan are suffering from Hepatitis C, while nearly 80 percent of patients remain unaware of their condition.

He made these remarks while addressing the soft launch ceremony of the Prime Minister’s Hepatitis C Elimination Programme, announcing free nationwide screening and treatment under the initiative. He described the programme as a historic and revolutionary step for Pakistan’s healthcare sector.

The minister said the Rs67 billion programme was initiated after nearly a decade of sustained efforts. He added that while an estimated 60 million people worldwide are affected by Hepatitis C, Pakistan accounts for a significant portion of the burden.

Highlighting the severity of the disease, he warned that untreated Hepatitis C can lead to liver cancer, stressing the importance of prevention, early diagnosis, and public awareness.

Mustafa Kamal said Pakistan’s healthcare system must shift from “sick care” to true preventive healthcare, focusing on disease prevention rather than only treatment.

He further stated that a nationwide screening drive will be launched in collaboration with National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) to ensure wider public access. In the initial phase, 12 screening counters have already been set up in federal hospitals in Islamabad.

He announced that the Hepatitis C screening test, costing around Rs7,000, along with a full three-to-six-month treatment course, will be provided free of cost under the programme.

Comparing international success stories, he said that if countries like Egypt can eliminate Hepatitis C, Pakistan can achieve the same goal through timely screening and public participation.

The minister also highlighted the growing pressure on Pakistan’s healthcare system due to population growth, stating that doctors are now treating over 350 patients a day compared to an ideal workload of around 30 patients.

Tailor’s daughter makes history with 17 gold medals in Khyber Girl Medical College

May 8, 2026 by Newsdesk

PESHAWAR: Students of Khyber Girls Medical College have achieved remarkable academic success, securing a record number of gold medals and bringing pride to the institution.

Among the top achievers, student Qandeel Murtaza delivered an extraordinary performance by winning 17 gold medals, setting a new record at the college. Her achievement was warmly celebrated during the convocation ceremony, where the audience applauded as her name was announced.

Another outstanding student, Muqaddas, secured 10 gold medals, while Sabin earned 7 gold medals for her excellent academic performance.

Qandeel Murtaza, who belongs to Haripur and is the daughter of a tailor master, was also honored in the presence of dignitaries. Reports say applause filled the hall when she was awarded the medals, highlighting the significance of her achievement.

The student also shared that academic excellence runs in her family, mentioning that her siblings are also highly educated and serving in various professional fields, including government service, engineering, and higher education roles.

The achievements of these students are being widely appreciated as a reflection of dedication, hard work, and academic excellence, and are seen as an inspiration for other students across the country.

PM task force proposes screening for deported passengers to curb HIV spread

May 8, 2026 by Newsdesk

ISLAMABAD: A high-level task force formed by the Prime Minister to address the rising number of HIV cases has proposed mandatory screening of deported passengers at airports and entry points as part of broader preventive measures.

According to the Ministry of Health spokesperson, the task force held its second meeting under the chairmanship of Dr. Mukhtar Bharath following the Prime Minister’s notice of recently reported HIV cases.

The meeting was attended by senior health officials, representatives of federal and provincial institutions, and public health experts, including Dr. Zafar Mirza and retired Major General Azhar Mahmood Kiani, chairman of the task force.

Officials from the National Institute of Health (NIH), Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan, provincial health departments, UNAIDS, and the Common Management Unit also participated in the session.

Dr. Mukhtar Bharath said the task force was established to investigate the causes behind the spread of HIV, identify responsible factors, and formulate recommendations to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The task force recommended activating a real-time national dashboard linking NIH, CDC, and CMU data systems to improve monitoring of HIV cases, trend analysis, and coordination mechanisms.

Participants also agreed on the need for a National Public Health Law aimed at preventing the spread of HIV through unsafe medical practices, particularly the reuse of contaminated syringes.

The task force stressed stricter enforcement against the reuse and mislabeling of syringes and IV sets, regular inspections of hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, and medical stores, and stronger regulatory oversight by healthcare commissions nationwide.

Among key recommendations were mandatory HIV testing during screening processes, compulsory pre-surgery HIV tests in hospitals, and enhanced infection prevention and control measures across the country.

The panel also proposed ensuring timely availability of essential medical supplies to prevent syringe reuse and expanding testing, treatment, and preventive facilities in high-risk areas and vulnerable groups.

The task force further recommended adding HIV to the list of notifiable diseases and launching a nationwide awareness campaign regarding blood-borne infections and safe medical practices.

In addition, it was proposed that Border Health Services ensure screening of deported individuals at airports and other entry points to strengthen disease surveillance and public health protection.

Actress Sonali Bendre opens up on her fight against cancer

May 2, 2026 by Newsdesk

MUMBAI: Indian actress Sonali Bendre has said that her cancer might not have progressed to an advanced stage had it been diagnosed earlier, highlighting the critical importance of timely detection.

In a recent interview, Bendre opened up about her 2018 diagnosis with Metastatic Cancer and her treatment journey, revealing that one of the biggest challenges she faced was the lack of open discussion about the disease in society.

She shared that after being diagnosed with stage IV cancer, she underwent extensive treatment in New York, including chemotherapy and surgery.

The actress noted that an earlier diagnosis could have significantly reduced the severity of her experience.

Bendre emphasized that, in the past, cancer was often considered a taboo subject, with people hesitant to even mention it openly.

However, she acknowledged that awareness around the disease has improved in recent years.

She stressed that if detected at an early stage, cancer is treatable and should not be viewed as a death sentence. She urged the public to prioritize regular medical check-ups and early screening, noting that timely diagnosis can save countless lives.

Cambridge International Education confirms A-Level math’s paper leak

April 30, 2026 by Newsdesk

LONDON/INTERNATIONAL: Cambridge International Education has confirmed that an A-Level Mathematics examination paper was leaked prior to the scheduled exam, raising serious concerns over exam security across multiple regions.

In an official statement, the board said that A-Level Mathematics Paper 12 (9709), conducted across Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Pakistan, and South Asia, was shared in violation of examination regulations before the test was held.

The organization stated that it is conducting a full and immediate investigation to determine the extent and nature of the breach, and is currently assessing the impact of the leak. Cambridge added that further updates will be issued on May 7, 2026.

The examination body emphasized that its top priority is to ensure students are not unfairly affected while maintaining the integrity and credibility of the examination system.

Students have been advised to continue preparing for upcoming papers and attend exams as scheduled.

Cambridge further noted that any decisions regarding grading and future actions will be taken by senior experts to preserve the reliability of results, ensuring universities and institutions can continue to trust them.

It also reiterated that while such incidents are rare, strict action is taken against individuals or centres involved in malpractice whenever evidence is found.

Imran Khan undergoes follow-up eye treatment at PIMS Hospital

April 28, 2026 by Newsdesk

ISLAMABAD: Former Prime Minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan underwent a follow-up eye check-up at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS).

According to hospital officials, Imran Khan was administered the fourth dose of Anti-VEGF intravitreal injection as part of his ongoing treatment.

Eye specialists conducted a detailed examination, including Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), which showed signs of improvement.

The PIMS administration stated that the medical procedure was carried out after obtaining the patient’s consent and under full clinical supervision.

Officials further said that following the procedure, Imran Khan was provided with post-treatment care instructions, follow-up guidance, and relevant medical documentation before being discharged from the facility.

Netanyahu reveals prostate cancer diagnosis

April 24, 2026 by Newsdesk

JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has disclosed that he was diagnosed with early-stage prostate cancer but has since completed treatment and is now fully healthy.

In December 2024, his office had announced that Netanyahu underwent surgery for an enlarged prostate.

However, he has now confirmed that subsequent medical reports revealed a cancerous tumor measuring less than one centimetre.

In a video message shared on social media, Netanyahu said he is now in good health, adding that the condition was “minor” and has been fully treated.

According to sources, the illness was diagnosed several months ago, and he began radiation therapy around 10 weeks ago.

The Israeli prime minister also explained a two-month delay in the release of his annual medical report, saying it was intended to avoid what he described as misinformation or propaganda amid heightened regional tensions involving Iran.

Medical reports issued by his doctors confirmed that the cancer was very small and had not spread to other parts of the body.

Israel’s medical team has reportedly declared Netanyahu cancer-free, stating that there is no remaining sign of the disease, while Israeli media reports say he has been issued a clean bill of health following successful treatment.