Shalamar Institute of Health Sciences

Shalamar Nursing College Achieves 100% Results in UHS Annual Examination 2023

We are thrilled to announce the exceptional performance of Shalamar Nursing College in the First Professional B.Sc. Nursing (4 years) UHS annual examination 2023. The result of exams, held from March to April 2024, have been released, and we are proud to share that our college has achieved a remarkable 100% pass rate. This outstanding achievement sets Shalamar Nursing College apart as the only private institution among 73 colleges to reach this significant milestone. Our students’ dedication and hard work, combined with our faculty’s unwavering commitment to excellence, have made this success possible. Congratulations to all our students and staff for their exceptional efforts and dedication. This accomplishment reflects our college’s high standards and commitment to nurturing future nursing professionals.

Celebrating the Inaugural Cohort of the Medical Enrichment Program

Shalamar Medical & Dental College (SMDC) and the Syed Babar Ali School of Science and Engineering (SBASSE) at Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) are thrilled to announce the successful completion of their first-ever cohort of Medical Enrichment Program. This intensive one-year program, launched in Spring 2023 allows SMDC MBBS students to study for one year at LUMS. The program is designed to elevate the quality of medical education in the country. The inaugural cohort completed this program with the generous support of the Shahid Hussain Foundation. The inaugural cohort of students, including Ali Asim, Zuha Bilal, Aalian Ubaid, and Muhammad Anas, received their certificates and transcripts at a special ceremony. Dignitaries from both institutions, including Dr. Walther (Dean of SBASSE) and Prof. M. Zahid (Principal of SMDC), presented the certificates, signifying the strong collaboration and shared vision for advancing medical education. Dr. Muhammad Tariq Professor at the Department of Biology spoke about the students’ achievements and the program’s potential for future development. Students also shared their experiences and valuable insights through a feedback session. The ceremony culminated in a heartwarming recognition of the students’ dedication and the program’s success.  Both institutions pledged their continued commitment to excellence in medical education, ensuring a bright future for the program and its graduates.

Shalamar Medical and Dental College Ranked Top Medical College

Shalamar Medical and Dental College  is ecstatic to announce its achievement of the coveted #1 ranking among all medical colleges, both public and private, affiliated with the University of Health Sciences (UHS). This incredible feat is a culmination of the combined results from five professional examinations conducted in 2023. The unwavering dedication of our exceptional faculty, the relentless hard work of our students, and the unwavering support of our entire community all proved instrumental in securing this remarkable success. For a closer look at performance, students excelled across all year groups: final year (93.92), fourth year (96.38), third year (95.00), second year (98.55), and first year (99.28), resulting in an impressive overall mean score of 96.6254 and solidifying our position at the #1 spot. While we bask in the glory of this achievement, Shalamar Medical & Dental College remains firmly committed to a path of continuous improvement. We strive for excellence in everything we do. Let’s leverage this success as motivation to propel ourselves to even greater heights, together!

2nd Shalamar IRC RCOG Summit 2025

Building on the triumph of our inaugural summit, we are proud to continue the legacy of excellence. The 1st Shalamar IRC RCOG Summit set a benchmark for impactful discussions, fruitful collaborations, and knowledge exchange. As we embark on the 2nd edition, we are committed to surpassing previous achievements and fostering an even more enriching experience. Join us for the 2nd Shalamar IRC RCOG Summit, happening from January 13th to 15th, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Spearheaded by the esteemed Prof. Dr. Nazli Hameed, this summit promises an exceptional platform for participants to engage with international subspecialist experts, fostering invaluable networking and collaboration opportunities. Thematic Focus: Embark on a journey through cutting-edge themes across three insightful days: Day 1: Urogynaecology & Minimal Access Surgery Delve into the latest advancements and techniques in urogynaecology and minimal access surgery, gaining insights from leading practitioners in the field. Day 2: Reproductive Medicine & Maternal Medicine Explore breakthroughs in reproductive medicine and maternal medicine, uncovering strategies to enhance patient care and outcomes. Day 3: Fetal Medicine & Gynae-Oncology Navigate through the realms of fetal medicine and gynae-oncology, discovering innovative approaches to diagnosis, treatment, and care. Call for Abstract Submission: We invite Scholars, Researchers, and Practitioners to contribute abstracts aligning with the summit’s themes. The deadline for abstract submission is September 30th, 2024. Seize this opportunity to showcase your work and contribute to the discourse shaping the future of women’s health. Registration Fee Early Bird Registration By 30-9-2024 ·         Foreign Consultants $50 ·         Pakistani Consultants PKR 15,000 ·         Residents/Trainees PKR  7,500 Regular Registration ·         Foreign Consultants $65 ·         Pakistani Consultants PKR 20,000 ·         Residents/Trainees  PKR 10,000 On-site Registration ·         Foreign Consultants  $75 ·         Pakistani Consultants PKR 25,000 ·         Residents/Trainees PKR 15,000 For Abstract Submission:Kindly Contact[Dr. Rabia Mushtaq WhatsApp 0044-7523862202 Email dr.rabiaamer@gmail.com] For InquiriesKindly Contact:[Dr. Areefa Khan 0092 322-7050983, Email: areefakhan14@gmail.com ][Dr. Sania Imran 0092 331-4627666, Email: saniaimran123@gmail.com ]

8th International Conference at SMDC

Shalamar Institute of Health Sciences proudly inaugurated its 8th International Conference, bringing together esteemed medical professionals, scholars, and researchers from across Pakistan and beyond. Themed “Healthcare & Health Education in the AI Era,”  conference aims to delve into the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on healthcare delivery and medical education. Distinguished guests including, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Businessmen Hospital Trust Mr. Shahid Hussain, Prof. Dr. Zahid Bashir, Principal of Shalamar Medical & Dental College, and Dr. Ayesha Nauman, COO of Shalamar Hospital, graced the occasion along with faculty members and senior doctors. The conference witnessed active participation from doctors, surgeons, and medical professionals from various parts of Pakistan and abroad. Prof. Dr. Zahid Bashir extended a warm welcome to all attendees, setting the tone for a series of engaging discussions and activities. Live surgeries were conducted during the conference, showcasing advancements in medical technology and practice. Attendees had the opportunity to attend sessions and workshops covering a wide array of topics. Doctors specializing in different fields presented their latest research findings, fostering knowledge exchange and collaboration. Participants shared insights and perspectives on the evolving role of AI in shaping the future of healthcare. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Shahid Hussain emphasized the significance of conferences and workshops in advancing medical knowledge and practice. He highlighted the longstanding commitment of Shalamar Institute of Health Sciences to promote medical research and education, as demonstrated by the continuation of the international conference for the past eight years. In addition, Prof. Dr. Zahid Bashir outlined the roadmap for various programs and initiatives at Shalamar Institute of Health Sciences for the upcoming year, reaffirming the institution’s dedication to excellence in healthcare education and service.

Physiotherapy’s Types and Practices

How many different types of physiotherapy are there? People of all ages can benefit from physiotherapy, which has the potential to be a life-changing experience. Some examples of different types of physiotherapy are as follows: Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy or “orthopedic Manual therapy” focuses on restoring the musculoskeletal system’s functionality, which includes the muscles, joints, bones, ligaments, and tendons. It can improve mobility, lessen discomfort, treat injuries, and repair soft tissue damage.   Gynecological Physiotherapy This branch of physiotherapy focuses on treating the female problems and other surrounding areas that are impacted by significant life events for women, such as pregnancy and childbirth.   Neurological Physiotherapy The nervous system is affected by neurological conditions such as strokes, spinal cord injuries, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and brain injuries. Physical therapy is well known to help neurological patients in regaining their mobility and helps to stop other complications brought on by neurological issues.   Cardiovascular Physiotherapy Cardiovascular physiotherapists assess your heart and lungs’ health and recommend the best activities. Asthma and excessive chest discharge are two disorders that can be treated with this type of therapy.   Respiratory Physiotherapy This type of physiotherapy helps in improving the quality of life of patients with diseases such as cystic fibrosis, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.   Sports Physiotherapy Sports activities are typically more physically taxing and athletes are more susceptible as a result of muscle and tendon injuries. Sports physiotherapists assist athletes in recovering more quickly from sports injuries and improving their overall performance.   Pediatric Physiotherapy A subspecialty of physical therapy known as pediatric physiotherapy is dedicated to identifying, preventing, and treating developmental abnormalities in newborns, young children, and teenage patients.   Geriatric Physiotherapy Although, age-related health complications such as muscle mass reduction, delayed reaction times, and imbalance are common. Fortunately, issues like loss of motion, arthritis, or Alzheimer’s disease can be addressed by geriatric physiotherapy.   Physiotherapy from the comfort of your home! Home physical treatment is an option, but make sure you speak with your doctor first. Back exercises Lie on your back with both of your legs straight. In this position, bring your left knee up close to your chest. Hold this position for 10 seconds. Return your leg to the straight position. Repeat with the right leg. Stand up with your arms on your side. Bend to the left side while slowly sliding your left hand down your left leg. Come back up slowly and relax. Repeat with the right side of your body. Neck exercises Keep your eyes centered on one object directly in front of you, now slowly move your head back. You will now be looking at the roof. Keep your whole body still. Hold this position for 5 seconds and slowly return your head to the start position. Keep your eyes centered on one object directly in front of you, now slowly move your head down. You will now be looking at the floor. Keep your whole body still. Hold this position for 5 seconds and slowly return your head to the start position. Keep your eyes centered on one object directly in front of you, and turn your head to the left, and your vision should be in line with your left shoulder. Turn your head as far as you can and hold the position for 5 seconds. Slowly relax as you return your head to the start position. Foot exercises. First write digits 1 to 10 using your toes raised in the air. Sit on a chair, raise your toes, and curl them Pick up a small piece of cloth off the floor using your toes. Still in a sitting position, point your toes and circle your ankles in a slow counter and clockwise motion. Stand up from the sitting position and go on tip toe for 5 seconds.   Link for exercises: https://sundialclinics.co.uk/treatments/physiotherapy/physiotherapy-exercises-you-can-do-at-home/   Written By: Jabeen Zahra – Intern, Shalamar Hospital

Physiotherapy: A Neglected Field

    “Recovery is indeed a manifestation of the law of nature, efforts of patient and guidance from a physical therapist or rehabilitation specialist.” ― Joerg Teichmann Importance of Physical Therapy Physiotherapy increases a patient’s mobility, function, and general health. Through physical rehabilitation, injury prevention, and health and fitness, physiotherapy improves the quality of life of many patients. A physiotherapist can help you get on track to a pain-free life, which is necessary to engage in your favorite physical activities and ward off many chronic illnesses. However, even while surgery and medication are often recommended as the best treatments for specific ailments, there are other circumstances when physiotherapy can be just as successful. For example, lower back pain, evidence suggests that this problem is usually overtreated with imaging, prescription medications, and procedures, while early physical therapy can prove itself a very economical course of action. History of the Physiotherapy Hippocrates and Galen, two physicians, are thought to have introduced the science of physiotherapy as early as 400 BC when they encouraged the use of hydrotherapy, massage, and manual therapy techniques to treat their patients. However, during the First World War, physiotherapy became institutionalized, and women were hired to work with soldiers, offering physical treatment to assist repair the wounds they had sustained. The World Health Organization (WHO) helped the Federal Government, Ministry of Health & Social Welfare build the school of physiotherapy in 1956 in Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center. To match the international standard, the four-year BSPT program was recently upgraded to a five-year DPT (Doctor of Physiotherapy) program in 2008. Problems with Physiotherapy in Pakistan The problem with physiotherapy in Pakistan is that although physical therapy has been practiced for almost 60 years, there is still no regulatory body for the oversight of physiotherapy degree programs and the registration of physiotherapists. Moreover, there is no set meritocracy when admitting students to Physiotherapy programs in universities all around Pakistan. Many educational institutions are not connected to hospitals, which prevent students from participating in clinical training or house jobs. As a result, they eventually join the hospital with degrees but no relevant work experience. If such a body is created, it will make sure that physiotherapy schools uphold their educational standards and that only licensed professionals are permitted to practice. The government must take special action to save this profession because the situation is getting worse by the hour. The federal and provincial governments should generate jobs. In addition to the government, I implore the media and civil society to emphasize the value and necessity of physiotherapy for the nation.    

Breast Cancer: Symptoms and Self-examination

  Every one in nine (1 in 9) women receives a breast cancer diagnosis during her lifetime; Pakistan has the highest disease incidence among all Asian countries. Therefore, it has become crucial to spread awareness among the general public to ensure early detection and save the precious lives of both men and women. Signs and Symptoms: Knowing any disease’s various signs and symptoms is essential because it marks the beginning of its detection process. However, it is crucial to understand that the symptoms of breast cancer can vary depending on its stage and type. Following are some of its common signs:   Early breast cancer: A change in size and shape of the breast. Change in the appearance of the nipple. Nipple discharge (other than breast milk) Lumps or nodes that can be felt in or on the breast.   Invasive breast cancer: Breast lump. Peeling of the nipple skin. Itchy breast. The breast is tender, warm, and/or hard to touch. Pitting the breast skin (like an orange: Peau d’orange appearance). Nipple retraction and discharge. ( later stage) Lump or swelling in the underarm lymph nodes.   Inflammatory breast cancer: Heaviness and aching in the breast. Pitting of breast skin. Inverted nipple. The breast is red, itchy, and tender to the touch. Lump or swelling in the underarm lymph nodes.   Metastatic breast cancer: If the lungs are affected: difficulty breathing, coughing, and chest pain. If the brain or spinal cord is affected: headache, seizures, pain, or blurry vision. If bones are affected: reduced alertness, pain, and fractures. If the liver is affected: nausea, fatigue, swelling, and jaundice.   Male breast cancer: Symptoms experienced by men are similar to women, including: Painless lumps in the breast. Nipple discharge. Increase in size of the breast. Thickening of breast skin.   Breast Self-examination:   According to the John Hopkins Medical Centre, 40% of diagnosed breast cancers are detected by women who feel a lump, which emphasizes the significance of breast self-exams. Men and women should conduct the exam regularly because the condition, although uncommon in men, is just as fatal.   How regularly should it be performed?   It must be performed monthly, and the ideal time is between the 3rd and 5th day of your menstrual cycle or on the same day of every month for men (especially with a family history of breast cancer), post-menopausal women, or females with irregular menstrual cycles.   Steps of the exam: Visual inspection: You must stand in front of a mirror with your breasts completely exposed and your hands by your sides. Look for any changes in breast shape, size, and color, as well as symmetry, skin dimpling and nipple retraction. Then raise your hands above your head and observe again. Finally, place your hands on your hips to flex your chest muscles and look for any changes. Make sure to observe and compare both breasts.   Manual inspection while standing: For this procedure, you must use your right hand to examine your left breast and vice versa. You must use the pads of the 3 middle fingers of one hand to feel all parts of the breast in a circular motion. Also, apply different pressures and feel for any lumps or thickness. Then squeeze your nipple to check for discharge. Repeat this for the other breast.     Manual inspection while lying down: For this step, first put a pillow under your right shoulder and flex your right arm. Then use the pads of the 3 middle fingers of your left hand to palpate your right breast and armpit. Repeat this procedure for the left breast and armpit.   When to consult a doctor? If you find any of the aforementioned signs (lump, bloody nipple discharge, color change, or change in skin texture), make sure to visit your doctor so the underlying cause of the anomalies can be determined.      

10 WAYS OF LIVING A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

Health is one of God’s greatest blessings. A famous saying, “Health is Wealth,” makes it more comprehensible. With the emerging advancements in the modern era, mankind is in a constant race for money, luxuries, success, and adorations. No doubt he has reached the stars and has captured the galaxies in his pocket, but his health is on the verge of extermination.   The new decade has brought the essential concerns into consideration. The majority of people are conscious of their health. To be prosperous, health needs to be our priority. Let’s see the ways by which we can make our lifestyle healthier:   CHOOSE THE RIGHT FOOD   Diet is the fuel for the human body. To save the body from deterioration, it’s cardinal to provide correct fuel.   Always try to eat healthy foods that are obtained directly from nature, e.g., green fruits and vegetables Take a variety of food like meat, grains, dairy, and pulses. Take all portions of food in adequate quantity. Avoid salty and spicier foods, especially at night Prefer homemade food Prefer fresh food; try to avoid frozen meals   BE A NATURE LOVER   The closer we are to nature, the less we are prone to debilitation. To feel contentment, we should try to remain close to nature.   View sunsets and sunrises Enjoy the chirping of birds Music of breezes The calmness in a noisy sea   EARLY RISER   By sleeping early and waking up early can be active and fresh, relaxed and competent. One can make use of their abilities to the maximum. A study proved that waking up close to sunrise boosts the release of happy hormones (endorphins) that reduce the risk of cardiovascular abnormalities and mental disorders. Early rising keeps our bodies in balance, preventing us from obesity, gastric issues, and other comorbidities.   WALK   Detoxification is essential to get rid of harmful toxins in our bodies. The toxins we are inhaling and polluting our bodies need to be pushed out. The best detox is to go for a walk for at least 25 minutes a day. Walking releases endorphins, burn fats, and helps in preventing diseases, e.g., diabetes, hypertension, mental and other metabolic syndromes   AVOID PROCESSED FOOD   The world around us is suffused with fascination. Foods with scrumptious tastes but no nutritional value causes debridement of health.   Children are exposed to the vicious cycle of eating unhealthy foods, e.g., chocolates, fast foods, snacks, and candies, increasing the risk of comorbidities among children. In this modern busier world, all the advancements have made life easier, but this ease has pursued man to opt for comfort in every matter of life. Processed canned foods replace fresh foods to save time and add taste. Nonetheless, using processed foods has exposed humans to toxic agents escalating the risk of cancers, diabetes, etc.   BE ACTIVE   The food we eat and the habits we choose decide our way of living. Technological progress makes our lives easy while restricting our outdoor activities to almost none. This has trapped our growing minds in unhealthy bodies, leaving us at the mercy of heavy pills. Youth is suffering from hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular problems, and PCOS. It is alarming for the whole of the world.   Sports and exercise nourish our body, mind, and soul, making us healthy, active, and energetic. This reduces the risk of diseases. Engaging ourselves in favorite sports, like badminton, cricket, etc., for 20 minutes at least twice a week can prevent cardiovascular diseases.   TALK   Our younger population is preoccupied with electronic gadgets and immersed in an imaginary world far away from their families and loved ones. As a result, the risk of depression and suicidal deaths is more among them.   The emotional garbage and toxicities eating us inside need to be dumped out of our minds by either talking to some good friends or our loved ones. Mental health is as important as physical health. Sharing our exhaustion and getting our problems sorted out via talking plays a crucial part in one’s progress and integrity of mental health. Moreover, it diminished the risk of depression and anxiety attacks.     AVOID SMOKING   Smoking is hazardous and injurious to health. These trending words are only read by us but are not understood and implemented.   Our youth, probably the one getting higher education working in companies and hospitals, uses smoking as their stress reliever. Indeed, these people are exposing themselves to tons of annihilating toxins, risking their lives being taken on hospital beds. Even one cigarette a day carries a risk of coronary, cerebral disease, stroke, etc. By passive smoking, one is not risking their life only but of their loved ones also. To be healthy, one has to use other ways to relieve stress and eliminate smoking to free the environment of pollution, hazards, and lung cancers.   SELF HYGIENE   Self-hygiene is half a part of our religion.   By dressing neatly, taking a bath, properly cutting nails, washing hands before eating and after using toilets, after coming to the house, and after touching patients can prevent hundreds of infectious agents and diseases. An effort that takes less than 10 minutes but can make us healthy is not bad to adopt. It can help to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe.   Drink water   Our body is made of 60 % water. All enzymes work in an aquatic environment. We need water for our survival.   But as we are getting modernized, we have started loving fast foods; this practice has taken us far from getting a proper water intake. The foods we prefer don’t contain enough water to fulfill our body’s requirements. By choosing fruits and vegetables for our meals at least once a day and drinking 4 liters of water daily, we could provide our bodies a healthy environment to grow, heal and work properly. Water is essential to get rid of toxins and burn fats, this aids

USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN HEALTHCARE

Put in very simple terms, ‘ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE’ is the ability of a computer or a robot to perform tasks usually done by a human. The cultivation of human intelligence and discernment into computers for use in medicine is in infancy at the moment but holds promise in the future. Regardless of the format medical data is provided in, and AI can store and standardize it all. It may also aid with seeking the data. Some other innovations are quick diagnostic decision aids, drug discovery platform, clinical research, radiology reviews, pathology reports, emergency case management and robotics(including CPR and surgery). THIS article, however, will only discuss the implication of AI in three main areas: Diagnosis, drugs, and robotics.    HELPING WITH DIAGNOSIS    When used as a case triage tool, AI enables radiologists or cardiologists to review images and scans, identify critical cases, avoid potential errors in reading electronic health records (EHRs) and establish more precise diagnoses. In hospitals short on diagnostic radiologists, development of some apps can reduce the need for these trained health professionals. For example, AI imaging tools can screen chest x-rays for signs of tuberculosis, often achieving a level of accuracy comparable to humans. This will enable even low-income, marginalized hospitals to diagnose accurately and provide efficient treatment. Further, seventy percent of all decisions in healthcare are based on a pathology result. Digital pathology and AI have the integrated opportunity to make these results more accurate and we can get to the right diagnosis sooner. AI Neural networks are able detect more than 50 types of eye disease, by analyzing 3D retinal scans. Combining the powers of these AI algorithms with the powers of the physicians, early radiological detection of diseases including cancer and retinopathies can be made possible. Artificial intelligence can be helpful when it digs down into forecasting some diseases. AI can combine present signs of a patient with previous patients of similar history leading to early prediction and treatment. For example, Acute kidney injury (AKI) can be difficult to detect by clinicians but can cause patients to deteriorate very fast and become life-threatening. Using AI here can reduce life-long treatment and the cost of kidney dialysis. Settling fulling into the definition of AI, Corti is a tool that does not search for particular signals, but trains itself by listening to many calls from emergency patients in order to detect crucial factors. Corti helps with recognition of myocardial infarction and alertsthe staff at ER of hospitals, minimizing the time delays for treatment. This may also open a way for provision of customized care to patients.    PLATFORM FOR DRUG DISCOVERY AND RESEARCH    Another implication of AI is seen in provision of platforms for drug discovery and reduction in cost of medicine development. Atom Net, an AI tool again, was able to predict the binding of small molecules to proteins by analyzing hints from millions of experimental measurements and thousands of protein structures. Convolutional neural networks then identified a safe and effective drug candidate from the database searched. This lead to production of time and cost effective drugs at industrial level. Artificial intelligence algorithms can also identify new drug applications, tracing. their toxic potential as well as their mechanisms of action. This technology enables the company to repurpose existing drugs and bioactive compounds. This again economizes the budgets for medicine production. To mention the use of AI again, in 2015, during the West African Ebola virus outbreak, Atomwise partnered with IBM and the University of Toronto to enable an AI data analysis to help produce a medicine against the virus. This AI analysis occurred in less than a day, a process that would have usually taken months or years.    AI ROBOTIC IMPLICATIONS IN HEALTHCARE    CPR ROBOT is a mechanical device that delivers high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) chest compressions consistently from the moment crews arrive on the scene and throughout a patient’s journey to hospital without interruption. Still in its very initial stages, robotic surgery may come as a breakthrough of AI in near future. For example, AI controlled robots can provide a three-dimensional magnification for articulation and perform with more precision and miniaturization. AI enabled robots can perform basic acts of precision:a quetioncutting and stitching. In 2017, surgeons used AI powered robots to stich up small vessels with diameter of 0.03 to 0.08 mm. AI is still a long way to go before we can witness an AI utopia where robots would replace surgeons or nurses. However, for now they are excellent helpers that can reduce outcome variability    CONCLUSION    Thus, integrating AI into the healthcare ecosystem will allow for automated tasking to deliver better, cost-effective treatments by improving workflows and operations, assisting medical and nonmedical staff with repetitive tasks, supporting clinicians in finding faster answers to inquiries, and developing innovative treatments and therapies but this still is a long long way to go. AI advancement will require enormous research, trials, and addressing ethical issues but MOST IMPORTANTLY, breaking trust barriers between AI and humans. Whether AI can completely take over some medical fields such as radiology and surgery remains a question to be answered by the future!      MAH NOOR REHMAN  MBBS,4TH YEAR.