scholarly journals Low Reported COVID-19 Cases in South Asian Countries: A Luck of Nature or A Ticking Time Bomb

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Imran Alam Moheet ◽  
Soban Qadir Khan ◽  
Faraz Ahmed Farooqi ◽  
Muhanad Alhareky ◽  
Faisal Alonaizan

Abstract Objective Purpose of the current study was to find the trend in progression of COVID-19 among South Asian countries as compared to more developed western countries. Method COVID-19 data of South Asian countries was taken for this observational study. Data was taken up to 21 st April since the outbreak of the virus. There were 4 out of 7 countries which passed through the inclusion criteria and included for analysis. Results Increase in average weekly reported cases after 5 th week since first case reported was exponential. Correlation between reported cases and tests performed was found strong and significant (r=0.90, p-value=0.037). However, on average 315.25 tests per million population was performed which was at least 12 times lower than the tests performed in the countries having large number of COVID-19 cases. Conclusion At present, number of reported cases from South Asia was found extrememly lower than western countries. However, it could be due to a smaller number of tests performed. Hence, increase in strength of performing diagnostic tests is highly recommended. Strict measures are required to be taken to make the people of these countries to follow the instructions of social distancing and comply with preventive measures.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Soban Qadir Khan ◽  
Imran Alam Moheet ◽  
Faraz Ahmed Farooqi ◽  
Muhanad Alhareky ◽  
Faisal Alonaizan

Abstract Objective Purpose of the current study was to find the trend in progression of COVID-19 among South Asian countries as compared to more developed western countries. Method COVID-19 data of South Asian countries was taken for this observational study. Data was taken up to 21 st April since the outbreak of the virus. There were 4 out of 7 countries which passed through the inclusion criteria and included for analysis. Results Increase in average weekly reported cases after 5 th week since first case reported was exponential. Correlation between reported cases and tests performed was found strong and significant (r=0.90, p-value=0.037). However, on average 315.25 tests per million population was performed which was at least 12 times lower than the tests performed in the countries having large number of COVID-19 cases. Conclusion At present, number of reported cases from South Asia was found extrememly lower than western countries. However, it could be due to a smaller number of tests performed. Hence, increase in strength of performing diagnostic tests is highly recommended. Strict measures are required to be taken to make the people of these countries to follow the instructions of social distancing and comply with preventive measures.


F1000Research ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 88
Author(s):  
Soban Qadir Khan ◽  
Imran Alam Moheet ◽  
Faraz Ahmed Farooqi ◽  
Muhanad Alhareky ◽  
Faisal Alonaizan

Background: The purpose of the study was to compare  trends in the progression of COVID-19 among South Asian countries with more developed Western countries. Methods: COVID-19 data from South Asian countries were used for this observational study. Data were taken up to April 21, 2020 from the outbreak of the COVID-19. Four of the seven countries met the inclusion criteria and were included in the analysis. Results: An exponential increase in the average number of weekly cases was reported after the fifth week following the first case. The correlation between reported cases and tests was found to be strong and significant (r=0.90, p=0.037). However, on average, 315.25 tests per million population were performed, which was at least 12 times lower than the number of tests performed in countries with a large number of COVID-19 cases. Conclusions: At present, the number of confirmed cases from South Asia was found to be significantly lower than in Western countries. Hence, an increase in the strength of performing diagnostic tests is highly recommended. Strict measures are required to make the people of these countries follow the instructions of social distancing and comply with preventive measures.


F1000Research ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 88
Author(s):  
Soban Qadir Khan ◽  
Imran Alam Moheet ◽  
Faraz Ahmed Farooqi ◽  
Muhanad Alhareky ◽  
Faisal Alonaizan

Background: The purpose of the study was to compare  trends in the progression of COVID-19 among South Asian countries with more developed Western countries. Methods: COVID-19 data from South Asian countries were used for this observational study. Data were taken up to April 21, 2020 from the outbreak of the COVID-19. Four of the seven countries met the inclusion criteria and were included in the analysis. Results: An exponential increase in the average number of weekly cases was reported after the fifth week following the first case. The correlation between reported cases and tests was found to be strong and significant (r=0.90, p=0.037). However, on average, 315.25 tests per million population were performed, which was at least 12 times lower than the number of tests performed in countries with a large number of COVID-19 cases. Conclusions: At present, the number of confirmed cases from South Asia was found to be significantly lower than in Western countries. However, this could be due to the smaller number of tests performed. Hence, an increase in the strength of performing diagnostic tests is highly recommended. Strict measures are required to make the people of these countries follow the instructions of social distancing and comply with preventive measures.


2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dr. Rao Qasim Idrees, Dr. Muhammad Imran, Tahir Jamil

Kashmir is an uncontrollable conflict between the two South Asian countries: India and Pakistan. Since 1989 the people of Kashmir have faced a massive violation of human rights committed by Indian forces. The United Nations resolutions strengthened the Kashmiri’s movement of freedom. However, it is also a reality that, somehow and somewhere, the UN had failed in the Kashmir dispute in order to give the implementation to its resolutions. The Kashmir issue is complicated but could have been resolved if the UN had taken its responsibility with true letter and spirit. Recently, the Indian government changed the status of Kashmir by the abolishment of Article 370 and 35A, and also passing a Bill in August 2019, further makes the situation more difficult in Kashmir. In this situation, it is pertinent to mention here that Indian occupied Kashmir is a disputed issue in the light of UNSC resolutions between two south Asian countries. The current research is based upon descriptive and historical methodology and the facts and results are provided as per the legal analysis of the current situation of Indian occupied Kashmir. Finally, this research concludes that India cannot solve the Kashmir dispute through revocation of Article 370 and 35A of the Indian constitution provisions about the status of Kashmir, and also not use of force; the Kashmir dispute can only be resolved according to the Resolution adopted by the United Nations Commission for India and Pakistan on 13 August 1948.


2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-86
Author(s):  
Sadia Yasir Khan ◽  
Sadaf Konain Ansari ◽  
Mohsin Khalid Qureshi ◽  
Tamkeen Nishat Jaffrey ◽  
Farah Rashid

Introduction: Breast Cancer is the rising Public health problem of the world. Pakistan is bearing a high disease burden not only in Asian countries but in the whole world. Pakistan ranks highest in Breast cancer and accounts for almost 34.6%of female cancers. The incidence of the disease in Asian countries is quite different from that in Western countries regarding age i.e. (40-50 years.) while (60-70 years) in Western countries. This study was based on assessing the knowledge regarding breast cancer, risk factors, and screening practices to determine the barriers in the path of the community to seek medical care.Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was done between October to December 2019 on 310 females participants of ages from 25 to 70 years, residents of Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, and knowledge was assessed by applying a self-responding questionnaire.Results: Using SPSS version 23 and chi-square tests, the results showed that 87.7% of participants knew about the prevalence of Breast Cancer. Whereas, 90.3% of the females with the disease are not aware of their illness and show a strong association (p-value is less than 0.05) between knowledge regarding breast cancer and screening tests. Conclusion: The study concluded that 90% of socio-cultural barriers are in the path of access to medical facilities and 90% of participants believed that the non-availability of female doctors in health facilities is a big barrier to access to health. Access to medical facilities should be made easy by promoting health education and removing the fear of results, making small health facility units.  


2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 105-121 ◽  
Author(s):  
AMER SAIFUDE GHAZALI ◽  
ABU HANIFAH HARIS ◽  
ZULKANAIN ABDUL RAHMAN

AbstractThe debates on Asian democracy began 30 years ago. Western countries have often promoted liberal democracy as being the genuine democracy, giving justice to the people and being able to meet the needs of their communities. However, at the same time, some Asian countries practice democracy that promotes Asian values, which are very different from Western values. Western countries describe Asian democracy as an excuse for some leaders to maintain power in their respective countries, for example Malaysia. Critics have pointed out that some Asian leaders have used authoritarianism or despotism in order to mitigate the weaknesses of their rule. Asian democracy is practiced in Kelantan where the PAS (Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party) continued to maintain power for 23 years, from 1990 to 2013. Factors that have contributed to the long rule of the PAS party include socio-political stability, including political parties who were clean and competent and leaders who are knowledgeable and pious.


Author(s):  
Debasish Nandy

Energy security and economic growth are interrelated. South Asia is at a critical juncture today. Development is the overriding priority for the region because of the high incidence of poverty, but energy is proving to be a critical constraint. The entire region is suffering from an acute energy crisis. Firstly, South Asian countries are confronted with the huge challenge of securing energy to sustain rapid economic growth and meeting the rising aspirations of the people. Secondly, the region is home to a huge population that lacks access to clean forms of energy. A large section of the population, particularly in rural areas lacks access to electricity and relies on the traditional use of biomass for cooking. With limited domestic energy sources, most South Asian countries are also highly dependent on energy imports, particularly crude oil, from other regions. Thirdly, on the issue of energy security SAARC, countries need to establish a platform of common interest. There are three objectives of this chapter: exploring new alternatives of energy sources of South Asian States, searching for relationship between energy security and economic growth, and re-thinking about an alternative policy options regarding energy security in South Asia.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 1085
Author(s):  
Sidharth Nayyar ◽  
Sandeep Kadam ◽  
Rakesh Kumawat ◽  
R. Anusha

Background: Kangaroo mother care is an evidence-based, low cost and high impact approach that has shown significant reduction in preterm mortality. Practising KMC in COVID 19 era, is a challenge for mothers and the NICU’s. Aim of the study was to assess the effect of this pandemic on the practice of KMC in our NICU and opine about the possible barriers.Methods: It was a retrospective observational cohort study. Data was collected from the NICU records. Neonates fulfilling the inclusion criteria were classified as pre COVID-19 epoch (January 2020 to March 2020) and post COVID-19 epoch (April 2020 to June 2020). KMC hours provided were compared between the two groups.Results: Forty-six neonates were included in epoch 1 and Forty-two in epoch 2. Outcomes were analysed between the groups for primary measures, cumulative KMC hours reduced significantly in after COVID-19 period compared to the other group (median of 2 hours v/s 17 hours respectively), p value<0.001. Similarly, time to introduce first feeds increased from 6 hours in epoch 1 to 12 hours in epoch 2, p value=0.004.Conclusions: COVID-19 pandemic has affected the duration of KMC inside the NICU. Lack of clear guidelines/training about continuing KMC in COVID times has further lead to decrease in KMC duration as reported in the present study. Training and awareness regarding the benefits of KMC which outweigh its possible risks and proper sanitization and hand hygiene for both healthcare providers and KMC providers need to be enforced to continue this good practice in the NICU’s and the community.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deepak Timalsina ◽  
Hari Prasad Devkota ◽  
Deepti Bhusal ◽  
Khaga Raj Sharma

Catunaregam spinosa (Thunb.) Tirveng. (Syn. Randia dumetorum (Retz.) Lam.), belonging to the Rubiaceae family, is distributed in south Asian countries. It is used as a traditional medicine to treat gastrointestinal and hepatic problems and as an anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial agent. The main aim of this review is to collect and analyze the available scientific information on traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacological activities of C. spinosa. The scientific information related to C. spinosa was collected from various resources and databases such as SciFinder, Scopus, PubMed, and other databases. C. spinosa was found to be an important crude drug of the traditional medicinal systems such as Ayurveda. It was found to be used by the people of India as an alternative medicine, while the fruit of this plant was found to be used in dietary regimens as well. Active phytochemicals such as catunarosides, randianin, and several other saponins and triterpenoids possess various pharmacological activities such as anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, antibacterial, and immunomodulatory activities. Many studies have been performed to isolate the active compounds; however, there is a need for more activity-guided isolation studies. Various in vitro studies showed promising results but there are not many studies related to mechanism of actions using animal models. Hence, future studies on C. spinosa should focus on correlating the traditional uses with active phytoconstituents and modern pharmacological activities.


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