127 stories · Page 4 of 5
Health authorities have issued a formal warning about the heightened risk of Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF), commonly referred to as Congo fever, in the lead-up to Eidul Azha. The festival, which involves the mass slaughter of livestock across Pakistan, creates conditions that significantly elevate exposure risk to the tick-borne viral disease.
Saudi Arabia has begun deploying drone technology above pilgrimage routes and sacred sites to help shield millions of Haj pilgrims from dangerously high temperatures, according to reports emerging ahead of this year's pilgrimage season. The initiative reflects growing concern over heat-related fatalities during Haj, which has claimed hundreds of lives in recent years as global temperatures continue to rise.
Environmental samples collected from Hyderabad have returned negative results for the poliovirus, health authorities have confirmed, in an encouraging development for Pakistan's ongoing polio eradication campaign in Sindh. The negative results suggest no active circulation of the virus in the sampled areas of the city.
At least seven people have died in France from causes linked to an ongoing heatwave, according to reports. The deaths mark an early and concerning toll as extreme temperatures grip parts of western Europe before the traditionally peak summer months, raising public health concerns about the country's preparedness and response systems.
United States President Donald Trump is scheduled to undergo his annual physical examination as he approaches his 80th birthday, a development drawing heightened public and media scrutiny given recent questions about his health. The examination comes at a politically sensitive moment, with the White House facing persistent questions about the oldest serving American president's physical fitness for office.
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, and Syria have agreed to enhance cooperation in the health sector, according to a statement issued by the Associated Press of Pakistan. The four-nation agreement signals a broader multilateral effort to coordinate on public health systems, disease surveillance, and capacity building across participating states.
At least 16 people have died from heatstroke in southern India as temperatures continue to climb to dangerous levels, health authorities confirmed on Sunday. The fatalities have been reported across multiple districts, with emergency services placed on high alert as the heatwave shows no signs of abating in the near term.
Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has formally activated an award-winning smart emergency management system ahead of the peak Hajj season, deploying advanced real-time monitoring and response coordination technology to manage crowd safety and medical emergencies across the holy sites. The system is designed to handle the scale and complexity of managing over two million pilgrims simultaneously.
The World Health Organisation has formally recommended that Pakistan adjust its Federal Excise Duty on cigarettes upward, arguing that the current duty structure falls below thresholds required to meaningfully deter tobacco consumption, particularly among price-sensitive lower-income consumers and youth. The recommendation was made in the context of Pakistan's upcoming budget deliberations.
Punjab's health minister has announced the establishment of a Rs17 billion cardiology institute in Gujranwala, describing the facility as a transformative step toward bringing advanced cardiac care to a densely populated city that has long lacked specialised heart health infrastructure. The project is expected to serve millions of residents across central and northern Punjab who currently travel to Lahore for cardiac treatment.
Pakistan has lost one of its most distinguished figures in medicine with the passing of Dr Naseem Salahuddin, a renowned expert in infectious diseases. Her death marks the end of a career that spanned decades and left an indelible mark on public health in the country.
A Qatar-based British-Pakistani scientist has developed an artificial intelligence-powered eye scan capable of detecting dementia in its early stages, marking a significant advance in non-invasive neurological diagnostics. The technology analyses retinal patterns to identify biomarkers associated with cognitive decline, offering a potential pathway for mass screening before clinical symptoms emerge.
Pakistan and the World Health Organisation have jointly set a target of 1.6 million individuals to be reached under the Hepatitis C Programme in the Islamabad Capital Territory. The target reflects an intensified push to screen, diagnose, and treat one of Pakistan's most significant public health burdens.
A reported breach of hantavirus containment protocols at a hospital in the United States has resulted in twelve employees being placed under a mandatory six-week quarantine, health officials confirmed. The incident has raised immediate concerns about biosafety standards and the adequacy of infection control procedures at the facility.
A European Union health agency has assessed the Andes strain of hantavirus and found no current indication that the pathogen has undergone mutation, offering a measure of reassurance amid global health monitoring concerns. The assessment comes as international agencies maintain surveillance over emerging viral strains following heightened post-pandemic vigilance worldwide.
The Federal Ministry of Health has convened a review of a major upgrade plan for the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences and the Polyclinic Hospital in Islamabad, with the stated aim of transforming the capital into a model health city offering international-standard medical services. The upgrade plan encompasses infrastructure expansion, advanced diagnostic equipment procurement, patient care system improvements, and the introduction of specialised medical units at both facilities.
Abortion pill suppliers operating in California are actively preparing contingency measures and legal workarounds ahead of an anticipated US Supreme Court ruling on the drug mifepristone, which remains central to medical abortion access across the United States. The preparations reflect deep anxiety within reproductive healthcare networks about the potential scope of the decision.
Pakistan has launched its first dedicated national institute for the medical device industry, marking a significant institutional step toward building domestic healthcare manufacturing capacity. The initiative is aimed at fostering innovation, setting quality standards, and reducing the country's heavy reliance on imported medical equipment.
A detailed timeline has emerged documenting how hantavirus spread among passengers aboard a cruise ship, raising fresh concerns about infectious disease containment in enclosed maritime environments. Health investigators have reconstructed the chain of transmission to identify the source and pace of infection aboard the vessel.
The Punjab government has launched a Rs2 billion revamp project for Jinnah Hospital in Lahore, one of the province's largest and most heavily utilised public healthcare facilities. The announcement was made by a provincial minister, signalling the government's commitment to upgrading critical healthcare infrastructure to meet growing patient demand.
A tripartite memorandum of understanding has been signed between Pakistani and Chinese parties to advance medical cooperation between the two countries, covering areas including healthcare services, medical education, pharmaceutical exchange, and joint research initiatives. The MoU formalises an expanded framework for health sector collaboration under the broader China-Pakistan strategic partnership, with all three signatory institutions committing to structured programmes of professional exchange, technology transfer, and joint clinical activity.
Pakistani authorities have announced the launch of a special polio vaccination drive beginning May 18, as part of the country's sustained national effort to eradicate poliovirus from the remaining endemic pockets. The campaign is expected to target millions of children under the age of five across high-risk districts and union councils.
Pakistan's Health Minister held a formal meeting with the Saudi Ambassador to review progress on the King Salman Hospital project, a flagship Saudi-funded healthcare initiative that forms part of the broader bilateral development cooperation framework between the two countries. The meeting assessed the current status of construction and institutional planning, with both sides reviewing timelines and outstanding coordination requirements to advance the project toward operational readiness.
Artificial intelligence tools specifically designed to identify high-risk pregnancies, optimise clinical decision-making, and improve maternal health outcomes are being developed and deployed in multiple countries as part of a concerted effort to reduce global maternal mortality rates, which remain unacceptably high in low and middle-income settings. The AI applications under development range from predictive diagnostic systems that flag complications before they become life-threatening, to chatbot-based triage tools that extend the reach of limited healthcare workforces in rural and underserved areas.
The World Health Organisation has called on development partners and international stakeholders to redouble efforts aimed at eliminating malaria in Pakistan, where the disease continues to impose a significant public health burden particularly in rural and flood-affected communities. The appeal comes ahead of World Malaria Day and is part of a broader global WHO campaign targeting endemic countries.
The United States government has moved to reclassify certain marijuana products under a less restrictive drug category, marking one of the most consequential federal drug policy shifts in decades. The reclassification affects specific cannabis-derived products and adjusts their regulatory standing under federal controlled substances law.
Pakistan is registering meaningful gains from the WHO and UNICEF-led global 'Big Catch-Up' vaccination initiative, a coordinated effort to restore immunisation coverage that fell sharply during the Covid-19 pandemic years. The programme targets children who missed scheduled vaccines, aiming to prevent a resurgence of preventable diseases.
The Society for the Protection of the Rights of the Child has called for significantly stronger tobacco control measures in Pakistan, with a particular emphasis on protecting children and adolescents from nicotine addiction. The appeal, timed to coincide with World No-Tobacco Day, highlights growing concern over the inadequacy of existing regulatory frameworks in shielding minors.
More than 5,000 patients visited hospitals across Peshawar in the days following Eid ul Adha, with the surge attributed primarily to gastrointestinal complaints caused by excessive meat consumption during the festival. Health facilities in the city reported significantly elevated patient loads compared to routine levels.
The Pakistan Food and Drug Authority (PAFDA) has unveiled state-of-the-art laboratory facilities designed for the testing and quality control of food products, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical drugs, in a significant upgrade to the country's public health safety infrastructure. The Director General of PAFDA said the new laboratories represent a transformative investment in Pakistan's capacity to detect adulterated, substandard, or harmful products before they reach consumers.