Concise Minutes of the Karachi Bioethics Group (KBG) Meeting held in 2019
Date: Monday, February 04, 2019
Time: 8.00 am – 09.30 am
- Case discussion:
A live case was presented by a member regarding a young patient with schizophrenia whose mother had requested a hysterectomy because of menorrhagia. The patient herself was although, unwilling.
- Advertisement in the Daily Dawn:
An advertisement from the Daily Dawn was presented by a member regarding admission to a private medical college.
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Date: Monday, April 1, 2019
Time: 8.00 am – 09.30 am
- Case discussion:
A live case was presented regarding an HIV and AIDS patient who was unwilling to tell his fiancée himself about his illness and the future father-in-law inquiring about the nature of his illness.
- Doctors And Marketing:
An interesting discussion was presented by a presenter regarding certain services being provided and availed by some doctors regarding marketing.
- Hacking websites for articles:
The issue of hacking websites to gain access to paid articles for research and publications was raised.
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Date: June 10, 2019
Time: 8.00 am – 09.30 am
- HIV outbreak in Larkana – A Discussion by Dr. Asma Nasim
A presentation was given by Dr. Asma Nasim detailing the transmission and epidemiology of HIV and AIDS whilst highlighting the reasons behind the outbreak in Larkana as well as the reason behind the failure to contain the emerging epidemic in Pakistan.
- Pressurizing Physicians and Electronic Medical Records: A Presentation by Dr Uzma Tanveer
A discussion was presented by Dr. Uzma Tanveer where the concerns regarding pressurizing physicians for internal referrals and labs were raised. It was declared that pressurizing anyone who is acting in goodwill and within the law was unacceptable.
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Date: Monday August 05, 2019
Time: 8.00 am – 09.30 am
- Late Termination Of Pregnancy And Treatment Withdrawal of Premature Infant for Fear of Disability
The case of a mother who went for an early C-section because she did not want to live with a disabled child was presented by Dr Hena (consultant pediatrics).
- Interview of a less privileged candidate – case by Dr. Fasiha Sohail
The case presented involved a student from a less privileged background who wanted admission to an expensive university to become a doctor. The ethical concerns arose when the university checklist for admission criteria favored those with a socially privileged background but the interviewer saw strength of character in the less fortunate candidate.
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Date: Monday October 07, 2019
Time: 8.00 am – 09.30 am
- Case of a patient requiring life support without the prior decision of Code Presented by Dr. Fasiha Sohail:
The case involved a patient with advanced lung fibrosis who crashed into a hospital just prior to discharge. The physicians had different views and they argued whether advanced life support and CPR was the appropriate thing to be done or not.
- A brief review of the Law regarding abortions in Pakistan: A presentation by Dr. Fasiha Sohail:
Briefly, the key points regarding the law were presented. Terms like Isqat-e-janin and isqat–e–hamal were explained to the audience. The responsibility of the obstetricians was highlighted in such decision-making.
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Date: Monday December 2, 2019
Time: 8.00 am – 09.30 am
- Case of Conflicting Medical Opinions by Dr. Osama Khalid:
The case involved a patient with suspected ITP (idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura) admitted under a senior physician who insisted on platelet transfusions despite there being sufficient evidence supporting further investigations and a change of management plan but for some reason, the senior physician was unwilling to listen to the junior colleague.
- Article on religious corrective to secular bioethics: A presentation by Dr. Fasiha Sohail:
An article was presented that emphasized the need and weightage of a religious perspective in teaching understanding and implementing ethical practices. The article argued for and against the issue.