| 11 June 2004 | Friday | 22 Rabi-us-Saani 1425 |
Syllabus and Islamic themes
Black marketing of cars
Politicking
Water shortage in Islamabad
Reading habit on the wane
Investment proposals
Pay and pension
Traffic jams
Dr Aafia & the clarification
Foreign coaches
Display boards
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Patient care depends on good nurse-physician collaboration, which is defined by the National Joint Practice Commission as two colleagues working to serve a patient. A major benefit is that the care will be planned and coordinated, incorporating ideas and suggestions of both sides. Hence it is a shared responsibility, with the physician's focused on 'cure' and the nurse attending to 'care'.
The role of a nurse is to assist patients and their families in conveying their messages, concerns or decision to the physician or the administration, since physicians are more concerned with rules and regulations.
If both work jointly and make decision collaboratively, it will definitely benefit the patient, the family, the healthcare team and the healthcare organization.
Thus we see now that in some of our private hospitals nurses are highly educated and competent, and function more as autonomous health professionals. Here, the benefits of collaboration are reciprocal.
On one hand, the nursing profession is upgraded and, on the other, the healthcare organization gets help in terms of finance. For example, when a nurse cares for patients holistically, she/he discusses the plan of care with other healthcare team and especially with the physician, she develops her competency in assessment, planning, organization, implementation and evaluation.
She also develops skill in accountability and responsibility which will eventually lead to further development of her profession. However, if both professions are to develop, they must continue to examine essential components like communication, competence, knowledge, accountability and trust.
Communication is essential because in any type of collaboration, everyone has to know why, how, when and what needs to be done by others. In my experience, I had observed many nurses waiting for or reporting very minor things to the physician, where actually they are required to take certain action.
If an intravenous line gets blocked, instead of doing something like removing the blockage or the canula, nurses often beep physicians and wait for their order. Sometimes it takes hours. Such practice shows their incompetence in clinical practice as well as in decision-making.
In contrast, nurses totally forget things which need to be discussed with physicians such as discussing patients' treatment plans, their response to the treatment, discharge plans and documentation.
Clinical competence is a vital component of collaboration. Nurses who are interested in participating in clinical decision-making, must be armed with an appropriate body of knowledge.
Nursing education can play a major role in the development of this collaboration and the professional nursing body. The difference between educational preparation of nurses and that of physicians and the differences between the educational preparations among nurses themselves can cause communication problems.
Higher professional education will enhance the nurse-physician relationship which will eventually promote the profession. For nurses to fulfil the assertive aspect of their collaboration with physicians, they will need to assume accountability and increased authority in practice areas.
Trust is an essential component for any relationship. Each partner must be willing to support decisions that are made. Each member needs to be encouraged to participate in his or her own professional activities.
The benefits of nurse-physician collaboration in patient care include coordinated and collaboratively planned care. This will improve job stability and satisfaction, improve quality of patient care, decrease the costs and increase patient satisfaction.
MRS SHABANA SALEEM LALJI
Karachi
Syllabus and Islamic themes
I was surprised to see the Social Studies textbook for Class VII, 2004 edition, published by the Punjab Textbook Board. Out of a total of 10 chapters of the book, only one chapter, 'Civic Life in Pakistan,' was free from a reference to the 'Muslim world'. The remaining nine chapters have an exclusive specialized focus on the Muslim/Islamic world.
The social studies course is supposed to be an introduction to social sciences at preliminary level but the book hardly enlightens the students about social realities.
Rather, given the nature of contents, its very title 'Social Studies' appears to be misleading, as all but one chapter contain too much of an emphasis on 'Islamic' themes. The central theme of the book is nothing more than a pan-Islamic fantasy. It describes the 'Muslim world' as if it is a separate geographic, economic, and political entity, which is untrue.
In fact, the Muslim countries stand disunited, underdeveloped, and uneducated. The book's compilers' wish for Muslim unity, no matter how sincere and noble, must not be reason enough to distort facts. And the term 'Muslim World' is confusing.
Does it refer to countries where the Muslims are in majority? Or Muslims all over the globe are considered to be part of the 'Muslim world'? There is no harm in coining new terms to describe a social phenomenon or idea but they (terms) need precise definitions.
No attempt has been in the textbook to define 'Muslim world' or the 'Islamic society'. Moreover, I have never heard phrases like Christian, Hindu, or Buddhist world.
The book gives a perverted view of the world. It depicts the world in terms of a 'Muslim' and 'Non-Muslim' divide. No such division exists in the real word. Nations make regional and bilateral alliances according to their economic and strategic interests rather than on religious lines.
Turkey's eagerness to join the EU, and Iran's defence ties with India, are just two of the many examples. For all practical purposes, there is no concept of a Muslim world. Even most of the Muslim countries themselves do not subscribe to 'pan-Islamism'.
Last but not least, social studies is a compulsory course for all students irrespective of their religious affiliations. What we are trying to teach in the name of social studies can more precisely be named as 'Muslim Studies'.
While the imagined Muslim world exists nowhere on the ground, we are painting a fanciful and fictitious picture of a world for our young students. Interestingly, students of elite private schools are not fed such myths. Do we deliberately want to keep the majority of our people unenlightened and ignorant?
SHAHID ANWAR
Toba Tek Singh
Black marketing of cars
This is in reference to a meeting of the Senate standing committee on production and industries on May 11. The committee recommended to the government to allow import of used cars, decrease prices of local automobiles and a reduction in advance payments demanded by car manufacturers aimed at protecting the interest of thousands of consumers.
Despite the lapse of one month, no action has been taken by the government to save the people from the scourge of black marketing. On top of this, an automobile manufacture company has quietly increased its prices by Rs20,000, while the government drags its feet over the cabinet's decisions taken earlier this year.
The Senate committee had genuinely reflected the aspirations of the consumers who are forced to buy locally-assembled cars from the black market by paying an extra 10 percent over and above the going market rate.
The government has paid mere lip service on these issues and has done nothing to stop car manufacturers from charging premium. It seems that black market is in fact being encouraged or patronized by the government through its delaying tactics. Committee after committee is constituted to delay the implementation of the prime minister's orders.
On Feb 11, the federal cabinet decided to allow the import of re-conditioned cars besides allowing a reduction in import duty on small engine cars, completely-knocked down (CKD) kits and completely-built units (CBU). But the car manufacturers' lobby has effectively blocked the implementation of the prime ministers' decisions. Why is the government not doing anything when it is very simple to do so.
Car manufacturers have suggested that only one car should be booked per National Identity Card and the car be registered in the name of the person who booked the car. This will effectively deter speculations.
There is no shortage of cars if consumers pay 10 per cent or more as premium. The demand-supply gap is artificial and the government has turned a blind eye to it - who knows how many palms have been greased.
BUSHRA SYED
Islamabad
Politicking
Whenever any talk is made of resistance against the military-installed "civilian" government or against the ill-advised policies of the army top brass, fingers are quickly pointed to the self-exiled political leadership of the two main political parties - the Pakistan People's Party and the Pakistan Muslim League-N.
But when it comes to politicking in Sindh, which does not suit the interests of the army rulers or their backers in Washington, the very same "people", in not so hidden a manner, start pulling their strings to "correct" the situation.
And in this process, they even yield to the dictates of another self-exiled leader. Isn't this paradoxical?
MUSHTAQ AHMED MEMON
Karachi
Water shortage in Islamabad
This is to point out an important problem facing the citizens of Islamabad. The problem of water shortage is getting worse these days as water, which was supplied on alternate days, is now being supplied every third day and in smaller quantities.
The amount is not sufficient enough to meet the requirements of even small families. The supplementary water, which is supplied through water tankers, is not easily available. It has become almost a routine for the people to rise up as early as Fajr prayers to get themselves registered for water tanker supply but only about half of them are lucky.
I wonder how the government can develop small towns and villages when they cannot even ensure proper water supply to the people of the capital of the country.
ALADIN
Islamabad
Reading habit on the wane
Good books are man's best companion. Healthy reading habits broaden one's outlook and vision of life. At the national level it reflects on collective wisdom and intellect of the people. In history one of the main factors behind people's success has been their reading habit which enlightened their vision, knowledge and approach towards life.
Regretfully, in our country reading books is not very common. As a nation, we have not yet realized its due importance. One bad result of this indifference is that we have not learnt to tolerate each other.
Even teachers in schools do not deem it necessary to teach all lessons of the textbooks but restrict themselves to some selected parts, which they think are important from an examination point of view.
Book-selling has become an abandoned profession in our country, having no attraction from a business point of view and a good businessman hardly ventures to invest into this field.
The disturbing aspect of this indifference is that our scholars have ceased to think about the situation and are not inclined to take steps to create awareness among people about book reading.
There is a variety of reasons for this decline. First is the low rate of literacy, especially in rural areas where 70 per cent of the people live. No person can read a book until he is taught to read. Thus if we want to promote book reading we have to provide education to each and every man and woman or at least make them literate.
Another reason which stops people from having access to good books is their high price. The majority of readers belong to the lower middle class but because of high prices they cannot afford good books.
The authors in the zeal of making books attractive waste their energy and money on selection of expensive papers and good binding and, as a result, the cost becomes too high and out of reach of the common man.
It would be better if writers concentrate on the quality of the content. An easy way to promote book reading is to set up libraries in towns and villages so that those who cannot afford expensive books may at least have access to them.
Another hurdle is the popularity of the electronic media and the Internet. A variety of international TV channels and abundant opportunities for surfing and chatting on Internet are available which keep people away from book reading.
Most students have also abandoned their textbooks and rely on solved papers to pass their examinations. Good books are hardly seen on people's shelves and have been replaced by cassettes CDs, DVDs, etc.
While these are not bad things and have become essential for keeping pace with the changing time, the quest for information and entertainment should not be at the cost of knowledge, which can only be acquired through reading good books. It is time for us to review our indifferent attitude towards books and mend our habits accordingly.
MOHAMMAD RAFIQ
Karachi
Investment proposals
A few days ago there was a report in some newspapers that the government is considering reducing taxes to three, i.e., income tax, sales tax and customs duty, besides rationalizing labour laws to encourage investment in new units as the existing multiple taxes and labour laws (total departments dealing with industries being over 50 at present) were greatly discouraging new industrial investment.
It is suggested that a single package for new industries may be prepared containing a minimum number of taxes to be charged and a minimum of labour laws to be applicable.
These laws are naturally to be administered by the relevant departments but implementation of these laws must also be monitored by the Industries department so that new investors are not harassed.
For the purpose, the industries department of each province should establish industrial estates for small industries separately from large industries where the government should provide basic infrastructure like roads, electricity, gas, water supply and sanitation.
While the industries in large industries' estates must provide residential, healthcare and education facilities for the workers and their families, in small industries estates the government should itself provide these facilities for which a token charge may be made from the industries established in these estates.
LATIF QURESHI
Lahore
Pay and pension
Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz's disclosure (Dawn, June 4) that in the budget for 2004-05 the government is considering benefits for its employees and pensioners is most welcome As a matter of fact, an increase in the pay of low-grade employees in departments like education, health, postal services, police and the railways is more imperative, as they are given no perks and allowances to offset their hand-to-mouth existence.
The increase will also weed out corruption, inefficiency and running after part-time jobs. The employees in the higher civil and military echelons get so much pay, perks and allowances that an increase in their pay is not so essential as it is in other cases.
The poor pensioners have nothing but their cut-and-dried paltry pension. Their miserable life could be made more pleasant for them if the contemplated increase in their pension is also accompanied with medical benefits from the department they have served.
They should also be allowed concession in air and train travel within the country and abroad. Private hospitals should be made to charge 50 per cent less on medical bills.
M. SHAFIQUE AHMED
Karachi
Traffic jams
Karachi faces multiple hazards due to the increase in the number of vehicles which results in traffic jams. Some suggestions are made in this regard:
1. VIPs should not travel by road between the airport and guest houses unless it is absolutely necessary. They should be asked to hire helicopters.
2. Bridges like the FTC bridge should be completed without further waste of time.
3. Schools should encourage use of buses by their children. At present many cars and pick-ups pick and drop children, causing traffic blockage.
4. Buses should pick / drop passengers at and from designated stops only.
5. Space earmarked on major roads in Karachi for buses must not be used by other transport and, similarly, buses should not cross their lanes.
6. Long vehicles travelling to the port area should use Defence roads only at night at a specified time.
LT-COL (retd) IRFAN HAIDER
Karachi
Dr Aafia & the clarification
"Dr Aafia Siddiqui, 32, had been arrested in 2003 along with her three children in Karachi. She was interrogated by Pakistan's intelligence agencies which could not establish her links to Al Qaeda.
She was handed over to the FBI as she kept her US nationality (along with Pakistan's). The FBI found her making anti-US speeches and now it regards her a dangerous terrorist". This was stated by a spokesman for Islamabad's ministry of interior (Dawn, May 29). The statement raises more questions than provides answers.
- Were she and her children arrested as per the laws of the land?
- "She was handed over to the FBI as she kept her US nationality." What happened to her Pakistani nationality while she was in Pakistan, specially after our agencies failed to find links with Al Qaeda? What can be the message for us?
- The different findings by the FBI and our agencies regarding her links with Al Qaeda and Islamabad's indifferent attitude toward her thereafter speak volumes about our shortcomings in our anti-terror campaign.
- Dr Siddiqui has also been accused by the FBI of delivering anti-US speeches. What has happened to the civilized world's "freedom of expression"? What about hundreds of anti-US writers and newspaper columnists the world over? She may have spoken about the policies of the Bush administration and not against the US itself.
Z. A. KAZMI
Karachi
Foreign coaches
Pakistan Cricket Board has been hiring a lot of foreign coaches for the Pakistan team but most of our cricket players are incapable of properly speaking or understand English.
This is nothing to be ashamed of since it is not our mother tongue. But the question is how will the foreign coaches coach the team when they cannot not express what they want to say. Has anyone in the board thought about this? Pakistan cricket legend Imran Khan had also raised the issue recently.
DAWAR NAQVI
Los Angeles, USA
Display boards
It has been noted that the foundation bolts of the main supporting pillar of many advertising boardings are not fully embedded. The foundation bolts of discarded display-boards, are not fully removed from the of footpaths. These are either half-cut or bent down, causing regular foot injuries to pedestrians at night.
SALEEM ATHAR
Karachi
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