The ‘Student Art Show’ at River Oaks Academy.

The exquisite art work of students (Grades Nursery ~ Grade XI) was showcased at the River Oaks Academy, Karachi. The art pieces were on sale and all the proceeds will go to Paediatric Oncology department of the Indus Hospital, Karachi.

According to Mr. Aasim Karim, Principal, River Oaks Academy; “the main aim of the grand art exhibition was not only to polish the artistic skills of the students, but to create empathy and teach them the importance of community outreach and helping the less privileged. The students will visit the hospital later and present the cheque themselves to the Indus hospital”.

He further added; “Art is also inducted in the school program as a source of therapy. It helps our students explore new ways to gain personal insight and develop new coping skills”.

Kutiyana Memon Hospital (KMH) inaugurates state-of-the-art COVID-19 Ward.

To respond to the developing situation and support the Government in its efforts to flatten the curve, the Kutiyana Memon Hospital (KMH) has stepped up its efforts and established a dedicated Covid-19 Ward within the hospital in Karachi. Dr. Abdul Bari, Haji Rafiq Pardesi and Ahmed Chinoy inaugurated the facility where the civil society was also present.

The Ward has a 30-bed facility, an isolation ward with oxygen and an intensive care unit (ICU) with five ventilators for providing state-of-the-art services to patients for treating the cases of the pandemic. Mr. Aqeel Karim Dhedhi appreciated the availability of the necessary equipment and medicines there.

The Ward will be used for housing only the verified cases of COVID-19. There will be separate entry and exit passages for doctors, nurses and paramedical staff at the isolation ward.

On this occasion, Dr Abdul Bari, CEO Indus Hospital appreciated the efforts of KMH and was delighted that Indus Hospital Module is finally making its way. He also thanked all who worked tirelessly to ease and facilitate the people of the city.

Haji Rafiq Pardesi urged philanthropists and charities to make donations so that the isolation ward remains functional for as long as it is needed. He said the facility has been established following the World Health Organization’s safety guidelines against the spread of the corona virus.

The vision of Kutiyana Memon Hospital’s Covid-19 Ward is to provide quality healthcare services absolutely free to the under-served members of the nation. In this time of national emergency, they have geared up to stand with the Government to fight against this pandemic.

“Catwalk Cares” – Virtual Fashion Show – Day 03 [Grand Finale]

Day three and the finale of the groundbreaking ‘Catwalk Cares’ Virtual Fashion Show was filled with high-voltage glamour and star power including uber-luxe sartorial showcases by fashion royalty and showstopper appearances by Sarwat Gilani, Mikaal Zulfiqar, Ayesha Omer and Kiran Malik.

The couture king of kaleidoscopic colour Nomi Ansari opened episode three and said he was happy to see the whole fashion industry, designers, models, team-Nabila and Catwalk forging together united and supporting the front-liners and the industry, while remaining strong and supporting one another. He also spoke about the difficulty of the ration distribution work he was involved in but exulted about Pakistan being “an amazing nation”. Equally elegant and graceful was the four-looks “Festive Couture” capsule of signature Nomi Ansari pieces modeled by Ansari’s favourite muse veteran super-model Fauzia Amaan including a shimmery midnight blue sari worn with a backless cut-out blouse; a classic twirly can-can sharara in pastel floral hues; a black and silver glittery lehngha choli and a pastel floral kaleidoscopic sharara with matching sleek top. Ebullient bright and uplifting the capsule exuded effortless glamour.

Safinaz Muneer of powerhouse fashion giant Sana Safinaz felt Catwalk Cares was “an amazing initiative” and thanked Frieha Altaf while continuing to “pray for the front-liners”. The label’s three piece fusion couture capsule “Anatalya” was inspired by Greco Roman statues and, draping techniques from classical antiquity and modeled by dusky Maha Taharani who paid tribute to the front-liners using luxurious georgette and a colour palette of deep solid hues which were transposed onto contemporary and minimalistic silhouettes embellished with pearls and crystals in floral motifs, and accessorized with hand cut brooches and belts. These included an inky-navy blue asymmetric cold -shoulder georgette shirt artfully draped and cinched at the waist for all the right reasons with a crystal and pearl, floral motif hand cut brooch accentuating the waistline.  Matching flared pants completed this signature Sana Safinaz East meets West couture look.In a maximalist shade of crimson, a fiery georgette shirt took  a cue from draping techniques used in classical antiquity with an  antique silver hand- made belt encircling  one side of the waist with the accompanying red raw silk pants adding texture and interest.Finally with a free flowing silhouette for fuss -free glamour, a jewel toned forest green shirt was adorned at the navel with a silver hand- cut fluttering butterfly in incandescent silver crystals with the front -open shirt worn over elegant forest- green pants creating an elongated and sleek look. Classic Sana Safinaz elegance and high-voltage glamour at its finest.

Sonya Battla the maven of minimalism said she was excited to be part of ‘Catwalk Cares’ and thought the exercise was “a considerate and well thought out effort to celebrate the brave front-liners while bringing the industry together and challenging it to be creative while observing social distancing during the lockdown”. Battla’s three piece capsule collection “Chawkhandi” was inspired by the embossed clay etching found at the historic Chaukhandi Tombs and wove together classic prints and Springtime hues for timeless ready- to-wear pieces in pure cotton paired with elegant chiffon dupattas. Battla’s muse was actor and social activist Sarwat Gilani whose own minimalist personal style mirrors that of the designer. Sarwat effortlessly glided in an easy breezy day look in a deep carnation hue; matching  white separates that can be dressed up or down depending on one’s mood, and lastly a classic black number that boosts  one’s evening style up a notch. With a timeless aesthetic each of the pieces that focus on the draping of the fabric and how it complements the body are closet staples leaving room for one to accessories and play around with one’s individual aesthetic.  Classic, versatile and easy breezy elegance for myriad occasions. Sarwat Gilani while shown to be practicing her ten steps catwalk said she was extremely proud and excited to be part of Catwalk Cares and “saluted the front-liners who worked tirelessly to ensure that we all stay safe and healthy” and further lauded Catwalk Cares as “Fashion with a Cause!”

Omar Farooq, Creative Director of multiple award-winning menswear label Republic opined that he thought Catwalk Cares was “a brilliant initiative and very creative of Frieha Altaf  who is always good at what she does”.  Republic also used a celebrity showstopper in the form of TV and film heartthrob Mikaal Zulfiqar who dazzled in a navy blue cotton shalwar kurta worn with a midnight blue tropical wool waistcoat embossed with a hand-embroidered Republic emblem-logo. Mikaal while shown to groom himself backstage hoped that “we would soon revert to the old normal from this new normal “and said he would continue to send his “salaans and duas to the brave front-liners.”The other two pieces in Republic’s capsule “Majorelle”, which was inspired by the ebullience of botanical gardens were worn by supernova model Walid Siddiqui and included a sky blue short kurta worn with slim pants and faded inky and botanical hued embossed waistcoat and a similar white and grey combo. Smart, sleek and fashion- forward ‘Majorelle ‘ also exuded an uplifting positivity.

Global glam-couturier Faraz Manan said he felt that Catwalk Cares was a “symbol of hope and resilience” while supporting and paying respect to the brave front-liners and his participation was about what he and his label do best: “remaining positive”. His summer couture capsule which had an easy breezy resort vibe  imbibed the essence of the signature classic Faraz Mannan aesthetic and was modeled by his close friend and muse;, actor, model , fashion entrepreneur and all round stylista Kiran Malik. The three piece capsule included a sleek, shimmery ivory Grecian draped sari hybrid; a breezy cream bell-sleeved opera overlay coat worn with slim pants and a short tunic and a soft canary sleeveless shirt tunic worn with flared pants. Kiran who was seen to be making up her face with ZERO.com make up by Nabila the makeup partner for ‘Catwalk Cares’ said she was super excited to be part of the virtual fashion show and thanked Nabila for tutoring her for her makeup look while paying tribute to the brave front-liners.

The finale designer bridal couturier Shehla Chatoor who said she was excited to be part of an exercise that united the Fashion world introduced her luminous collection “Noor: The Divine Light”; a light of hope to counter the bleak pandemic. Using rich fabric including gossamer tulle and pure organza, in luminescent hues of ash grey and cream-white, two  stunning  handcrafted ensembles were  fashioned into sleek, contemporary silhouettes and beautifully embellished with, intricate, rich traditional embroidery including Zardosi, thread-work, mirror-work and deft cut-work elements dovetailed with modern pearl and Swarovski accents and modeled by statuesque supernova model Mushk Kaleem of  whom Shehla says “her fiery elegance lights up Shehla’s clothes” ushering in a fresh modern nuance to the Fashion world, the individual objects d’art-paired with coordinating jeweled protective masks, using signature Shehla embroideries and silhouettes were offset with contemporary details such as sculpted organza ruffles, scallops and voluminous pleating details that offered an element of   refreshing vivacity, captivating glamour and versatility.  To further represent this seamless blend of the bold and the elegant Shehla chose actor, host singer and fashionista Ayesha Omer as her showstopper calling her “the ultimate Shehla Chatoor IT girl. Ayesha dazzled in a floral embroidered can-can sharara skirt paired with a sleek backless stomach-baring long-sleeved blouse end noted with an Elizabethan type ruffle made from fresh flowers. Exquisite, regal and uber-glamorous ’Noor’ was effervescently uplifting, radiating both hope and ebullience.

The Catwalk Cares Virtual Fashion Show ended on a positive high note with images and footage of the brave front-liners in their PPE suits posing together and receiving Eid outfits by participating designers at Indus Hospital and the Expo Center from Frieha Altaf CEO of Catwalk Events & Production whose innovative brainchild and CSR effort united the Fashion industry and entertained the Pakistani populace for three days. Especially touching and befitting were the final appreciative claps of gratitude by the participating designers, celebrities and models thanking the brave front-liners for their brave service.

Pakistan Zindabad!

Watch Pakistan’s first ever “Catwalk Cares” Virtual Fashion Show Day 03/Episode 03 below : 

Federal & Provincial Governments should do more for Hemophilia Patients. – Raheel Ahmed

“Tell me should mothers of hemophilia kids like me run for “rashan” being distributed by philanthropists, non government organizations (NGOs) or beg for treatment to save lives of our kids. Why there is no treatment for our kids in government hospitals like other diseases? Our kids are losing their joints and dying in front of us and we are so unfortunate mothers who cannot save them just because of not having so much money for treatment”.  

This was a miserable story shared by Mrs. Qurat-ul-Ain, mother of a five year old only son master Ayan who  is suffering from hemophilia-A, a blooding disorder caused by deficiency of clotting factor 8 and 9. He is now also suffering from inhibitor antibody complication leading his body resistant to dry factor injection normally administered to hemophilia patients to stop their internal or external bleeding.

She was sharing her dilemma with journalists during a press briefing organized by the Hemophilia Welfare Society Karachi (HWSK) at its treatment centre located in Nazimabad locality of Karachi. She was accompanied by her ailing son master Ayan and husband Mr. Muhammad Saqib, a salesman.

Mr. Raheel Ahmed, a hemophilia patient himself, founder and President of HWSK, Mr. Shahid Dawood Secretary General, Mr. Fakhar Alam Zaidi, founder and Treasurer and Dr. Mushtaque Memon a senior medical officer at this treatment centre also addressed the press briefing.

Master Ayan’s mother narrated the story that; “one morning he was awoke with severe internal bleeding in his elbow joint one and a half year ago, and blood pressure was so high that it started travelling towards his heart and lungs. With the timely help from HWSK and Indus Hospital, Ayan survived but his treatment could not be continued due to non availability of funds for purchase of dry factor concentrate. Due to which he is still suffering and his elbow has developed stiffness,” she told.

“During this treatment, his body has developed resistance against normal dry factor injection which is used for hemophilia patients to stop their bleed. Now his bleeding can only be stopped with other bypassing agent injection and cost of such one injection is Rs 71,000/mg. While doctors have suggested one mg dose in every eight hours for seven days which will cost Rs 1,491,000 (1.491 million) initially and this therapy can be extended further,” helpless mother told.

Dr. Mushtaq Memon told that hemophilia is a hereditary bleeding disorder, in which patient does not have natural clotting factor in blood by birth. “Hemophilia kids suffer from internal or external repeated bleeding in routine life and this bleeding cannot be stopped until anti hemophilia injection is not administered to them. This bleed can happen due to any minor cut, bruising or without any reason internally. Without adequate treatment many hemophiliacs die or are physically deformed before they reach adulthood”, he told.

Mr. Raheel Ahmed told that; “there were 20,000 patients of hemophilia in Pakistan including more than 6000 from Sindh province alone. We have registered over 700 hemophilia patients so far and helping them in treatment by most needed dry factor injections and plasma as secondary option to save their lives,” he said.

“This injection is not manufactured in Pakistan nor does government import it for patients. Cost of one such normal dry factor injection is over Rs 10,000, while the cost of by-passing agent injection is over Rs 71,000/mg if patient body develops antibody against earlier one. A hemophilia patient requires 10 to 12 normal anti hemophilia injections in a month like three times meal”, he explained.

President HWSK said that; “it was responsibility of government to provide health facilities to patients suffering from hemophilia and other bleeding disorders too but unfortunately it is not spending a single penny for such patients. No government hospital in the country has dedicated treatment facilities for hemophilia patients nor they provide anti hemophilia injections at-least to save lives of such kids,” he lamented.

“It is very welcoming that we now have regional blood banks and we should use them to collect plasma from registered blood banks and get anti hemophilia injections by sending it to manufacturers present abroad like Iran has done. In this way we will get the most needed state of the art treatment by getting anti hemophilia injections in very lower cost. For this, hemophilia welfare society is always ready to share a proposal having such patients data and any other assistance as required,” he offered.

Mr. Raheel Ahmed urged federal and provincial governments, NGOs and philanthropists to help hemophilia patients survive.