Broken Heart Sydrome

How doctors choose to die?!

noreply@blogger.com (Sonnet) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:15:27 PST

When faced with a terminal illness, medical professionals, who know the limits of modern medicine, often opt out of life-prolonging treatment. An American doctor explains why the best death can be the least medicated – and the art of dying peacefully, at home. Read more in Guardian

NEJM is celebrating 200 Years

noreply@blogger.com (Sonnet) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 07:39:13 PST

Celebrating 200 Years

Figure 1. Illustration from “Cases of Organic Diseases of the Heart and Lungs,”
by John C. Warren, April 1, 1812, Issue of the Journal. NEJM

Thank you for visiting the NEJM 200th Anniversary website. Here, throughout 2012, you’ll find many opportunities to join the celebration from anywhere in the world.

Take a moment now to explore special anniversary content including review articles, historical images, and an interactive timeline. Vote for the most important NEJM article, take the historical image challenge, or post a video, story, or message about your journey as a physician or health care professional with NEJM at your side. And enjoy the experience of connecting with fellow members of the global medical community.

A Reader's Guide to 200 Years of the New England Journal of Medicine
http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp1112812

History of Medical Discoveries by NEJM
http://nejm200.nejm.org/timeline/

I wish my patients could see what I see

noreply@blogger.com (Sonnet) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 16:15:39 PST

So, what is it that I see? I see a 30-year old diabetic who is overweight and out of shape. His blood pressure is high, his cholesterol is high and he is high on life with his family and work. He has no time to take care of himself. He does not respect diabetes. He doesn’t fear it. He will take care of it “one day.” I know what’s coming. I can see his future. How? Read more at I wish my patients could see what I see

إضراب الاطباء في الهند يودي بحياة عشرات المرضى

noreply@blogger.com (Sonnet) — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 10:01:53 PST

نيودلهي، الهند (CNN) -- لقي أكثر من 40 شخصا حتفهم في مستشفيات راجستان الهندية خلال الأيام الخمسة الماضية بسبب الإضراب الذي يقوم به الأطباء في المستشفيات الحكومية بالولاية. و قامت الحكومة بإقالة 40 طبيبا، إضافة إلى اعتقال ما يزيد عن 400، بسبب فشلهم في أداء عملهم ومساعدة المرضى.

ويستمر إضراب أكثر من عشرة آلاف طبيب يتذمرون من تدني رواتبهم في مستشفيات حكومة الولاية التي يعملون لديها، وتتركز المطالب بزيادة الأجور والحصول على امتيازات أفضل كالتي يحصل عليها زملاؤهم الذين يعملون لصالح خدمات الحكومة المركزية، ولكن طلباتهم لم تستجب حتى الآن.

وفي المقابل قامت الحكومة الهندية المركزية بجلب 373 طبيبا من القوات المسلحة، كما يقول دكتور الطب في كلية جايبور، لوكندرا شارما، على أن يتم جلب 1000 طبيب في وقت لاحق، على حد قوله.

وجلبت الحكومة أيضا بعض الأطباء الذين يعملون في مجال خدمات سكك القطار، بجانب أطباء آخرين متقاعدين، إضافة إلى طلبهم من بعض المستشفيات الخاصة لتوفير الرعاية الصحية بنفس أسعار المستشفيات الحكومية.

وحاولت CNN الاتصال بمسئولي الصحة هناك ولكن دون جدوى.

ويقول الدكتور جانبات تشاندرا غوبتا أن على الحكومة التواصل مع الأطباء المضربين لتعديل أوضاعهم، إلا أن الحكومة لم تعر ذلك أي اهتمام.

ويتساءل البعض عما إذا كان على الأطباء الاستمرار في الإضراب، مخاطرين بذلك بحياة المزيد من المرضى.

#EgyDoctors دعوة عامة لحضور ملتقى الأطقم الطبية الميداني

noreply@blogger.com (Sonnet) — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 03:30:23 PST

تحديث (الإسماعيلية): أرجو من زملائي الذين شاركوا متطوعين في المستشفى الميداني بالإسماعيلية عمل بيان بالحالات التي تمت معالجتها. و إن أمكن فتوثيقها بالصور ( إصابة، عند الإسعاف، صور فوارغ، ...) أو عينات أو فوارغ عينية لعرضها عند الحضور. هذا المجهود المشكورين عليه سلفا هو استكمال لتطوعنا بصورة موثقة كشهادة تاريخية لما حدث. و يعتبر بداية للتعاون بين جمعية أطباء التحرير بالقاهرة و باقي المحافظات.
لإرسال البيانات أو الاستفسار
د/ إيمان الطحاوي ealtahawy@gmail.com

دعوة عامة لحضور ملتقى الأطقم الطبية الميدانية

كُتب يوم 12 ديسمبر, 2011 بواسطة أطباء التحرير Tahrir Doctors

تتشرف (جمعية أطباء التحرير) بدعوة جميع المهتمين بالعمل الطبي الميداني في ميادين التحرير بجميع محافظات مصر إلى حضور (ملتقى الأطقم الطبية الميدانية) وذلك يوم الخميس 15 ديسمبر 2011، 5 م – 9 م بالدور الثالث – نقابة الصحفيين – ش عبد الخالق ثروت بالقاهرة، إن شاء الله.
وذلك للتعرف على جمعية أطباء التحرير ونشاطاتها وأهدافها، والتعارف مع الأطقم الطبية المشاركة في الملتقى، ولمناقشة أفضل السبل لرفع مستوى الخدمات الطبية الميدانية في ربوع مصر.
وسيعقب الملتقى مؤتمر صحفي لبيان الجوانب الطبية والإسعافية الخاصة بأحداث اعتصام ميدان التحرير وشارع محمد محمود

الاثنين 3 م – 12 ديسمبر 2011
اللجنة الإعلامية – أطباء التحرير

بيان عاجل بخصوص تشريح جثمان المواطن عصام عطا

noreply@blogger.com (Sonnet) — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 17:25:51 PDT

بيان عاجل بخصوص تشريح جثمان المواطن عصام عطا. إعادة نشر

كُتب يوم 29 أكتوبر, 2011 بواسطة أطباء التحرير Tahrir Doctors

تلقت إدارة جمعية أطباء التحرير طلبًا من بعض الناشطين نقلاً عن أهل المرحوم عصام عطا برغبتهم في حضور ممثلين عن الجمعية التشريح كمراقبين وللتأكد من جدية التشريح ومدى مصداقيته.

انتقل وفد من أطباء التحرير مكون من د/ محمد ماجد صمدي عضو الجمعية، بمرافقة د/ أحمد صيام من شباب أطباء الثورة، وتمكنوا من حضور عملية التشريح بعد موافقة الأطباء الشرعيين المسئولين عن التشريح.
عصر الجمعة 28 أكتوبر 2011م تم التشريح داخل مشرحة زينهم بواسطة ثلاثة من الأطباء الشرعيين وبحرفية عالية وبدقة شديدة، مع حرصهم الواضح على التعاون مع وفد الجمعية.

كما حضر الجزء الأخير من عملية التشريح خال المتوفى نيابة عن أهل المتوفى.
أ. بالكشف الظاهري على الجثه تبينت الحقائق التالية:
- عدم وجود أية إصابات ظاهرية بإستثناء كدمة سطحية صغيرة في الجانب الأيمن من الصدر بقطر حوالي 1سم.
- لاتوجد أي أثار لكدمات أو لخدوش حول الفم أو فتحة الشرج.
ب. بتشريح الجثة تبينت الحقائق التالية:
- عدم وجود أي نوع من أنواع كسور الجمجمة أو نزيف بالمخ.
- لا توجد أي نوع من الإصابات الداخلية بالوجه أو الرقبة أو الحلق أو الصدر.
- بدتا الرئتان سليمتين، باستثناء بعض آثار التدخين القديمة.
ج. بتشريح الجهاز الهضمي تبينت الحقائق التالية:
- خلو المعدة والأمعاء والقولون والمستقيم من أي نوع من أنواع الإصابات على الجدر الخارجية لهذه الاعضاء قبل فتحها تشريحيا.
- بفتح هذه الأعضاء تبين وجود آثار طعام مهضوم داخل المعدة، وفضلات متماسكة داخل القولون بدون أية آثار لمياه أو سوائل بكمية غير معتادة أو غير طبيعية داخل الجهاز الهضمي.
د. بتشريح المعدة تبينت الحقائق التالية:
- وجود احتقان شديد بالجدار الداخلي للمعدة بقطر حوالي 10 سم.
- تبين وجود جسم غريب عبارة عن إصبعين منفصلين من قفازات طبية – جوانتي تست – من مادة اللاتكس المطاطة ومركبين بحيث يحتوي أحدهما الآخر فيما يشبه شكل الكبسولة، وعرض هذا الجسم 2 سم وطوله 5 سم. يوجد مزق صغير في هذا الجسم الكبسولي يخرج منه مادة حمراء اللون.
هـ. بفتح هذا الجسم الكبسولي تبين وجود ما يلي داخله:
1- مادة بنية اللون تشبه في هيئتها مخدر الحشيش بطول حوالي 3 سم وعرض نصف سم.
2- أقراص حمراء اللون في حالة شبه سائلة، أمكن تحديد هيئة عدد يقارب من ستة إلى تسعة أقراص.
- تم تحريز هذا الجسم الكبسولي والمكونات التي بداخله لتحليله بمعرفة الطب الشرعي.
و. تم أخذ عينات من الطحال والكبد والكليتين للفحص المعملي لعمل الاختبارات اللازمة عليها.

هذا بيان أطباء التحرير للرأي العام المصري، وما أملاه علينا ضميرنا المهني والطبي، وقيامًا منا بالواجب والأمانة التي القيت على عاتقنا من قبل المجتمع ومن نشطاء الثورة ومن أهل المتوفى، قررنا ووثقنا ما رأيناه بدقة شديدة، وأمانة علمية كاملة، ودون أي اعتبار لأية مؤثرات أخرى.

Happy world arthritis day

noreply@blogger.com (Sonnet) — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 19:35:50 PDT

It was world arthritis day, 12 October, when I finished my first 3 months of immuno-therpy of RA. I had juvenile RA during adolescence then long remission. Last decade, I suffered many activities of the RA. I said SUFFERED as I was wrongly diagnosed as Spondylo-arthropathy and many other false diagnoses and kept on non-steroidal anti-inflamatory and analgesics (NSAIs). Lastly, I started the proper therapy. Some side effects and little improvement could make me upset and worried about my physical activity with the disease. I feel like imprisoned with both symptoms and side effects. I know that late diagnosis and treatment is a cause. It is so hard to read the first statement in most Rheumatology books quoting " There is no cure of RA".

Yes, I have disease, but I still have a hope and belief in God and myself. I decided to GO AHEAD in my life working well and even thinking of nominating myself in the current Egyptian parliament elections besides my work as cardiology specialist. I started my new Private cardiology and pediatric clinic after ten years of graduation. That was my hope postponed years as I was busy in my postgraduate studies and frequent disease activities including limiting arthrlgia.

My advices: " do not surrender to the disease". "Got best treatment for less symptoms" "Got the experience of other patients".

Some famous celebrities have RA. Here is list of top 10 Celebrities with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

"One of the most illustrious celebrities to live with Rheumatoid Arthritis was Rosalind Russell."

Rosalind used her celebrity to advocate for awareness & research. “Frustrated that doctors knew very little about arthritis, she successfully lobbied Congress to pass the National Arthritis Act,”

Do you know that famous French painter Pierre Auguste Renoir (1841/1919) has RA?

Two Sisters (On the Terrace 1878). Renoir revealed the happy side of life in his images. “For me a picture must be an amiable thing, joyous and pretty—yes, pretty! There are enough troublesome things in life without inventing others.” Marcel Proust said: “Women who go by in the streets are different from their predecessors—now they are Renoirs” ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO/BRIDGEMAN ART LIBRARY

Renoir's grandson Paul shows how Renoir held his brush when his hands were severely deformed by arthritis.

“One must from time to time attempt things that are beyond one’s capacity.” Pierre-Auguste Renoir.

So, how Renoir coped with rheumatoid arthritis?

I wonder how he did his delicate fine work with limiting arthritis in the era of old classic treatment? I can do better in the recent new treatment modalities nowadays.

In world arthritis day: Share your experience with other. Celebrate your success in overcoming the disease rather than your failure. Raise the public awareness of RA early diagnosis and proper treatment through small group discussions and new social media. Yes, you can.

Life is fragile, but we are strong.

SPECIAL THANKS :

Facebook group " Rheumatoid Rioters" and my friend " Rheumatoid Riot" for continuous encouragement and updates.
My friends and family who supported me.
My treating physician.
Brave little Ayla who made me stronger.

Egyptian Medical Syndicate...Fair play please!

noreply@blogger.com (Sonnet) — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 16:12:28 PDT

Egyptian Medical Syndicate will have FAIR elections.
Regardless the criticism of competition and coalition, It is over now. I hope we will have a fair election process tomorrow. This will start eight hours form the end of this post!
Doctors should choose members to represent them on basis of their future programs, past activity, and nothing else. Last election was in 1992. So we have to say "Thank You" to Jan25 revolution.

In Gaza; do not be a Breast cancer patient!

noreply@blogger.com (Sonnet) — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 07:56:33 PDT

Anglicord seeks better treatment for Gaza breast cancer victims 29/09/2011 by Mark Brolly

Melbourne-based Anglican relief and development agency Anglicord has launched a campaign to fight breast cancer among women in Gaza.

Women in the Palestinian territory have only a 40% chance of surviving five years after being diagnosed with breast cancer – half that of Australian women. Lack of access to diagnosis and treatment, as well as delays caused by the security obstacles for women seeking care outside Gaza, contribute to the higher mortality rate for women there.
Anglicord screened the premiere of a documentary it produced about the tragedy, Women Die Waiting, as part of the formal launch of its campaign at the Hume Global Learning Centre in Broadmeadows on 27 September.
The Federal Labor Member for Calwell, Ms Maria Vamvakinou, launched the campaign, saying she had lived in great fear of breast cancer as her mother had died from it many years ago.
Ms Vamvakinou, who co-chairs the parliamentary Breast Cancer Network, said treatment of the illness “is really a matter of time”.
“The women in Gaza are powerless, they are completely and utterly powerless to help their families and to help themselves when they become ill,” she said.
Anglicord’s CEO, Ms Misha Coleman, who described her own experience of waiting for treatment for breast cancer, said she knew now that she had waited no time at all compared with women in Gaza.
“When you work in the Gaza Strip, there’ a lot of things to get upset about – kids with disfiguring injuries from the various conflicts and sewerage running raw through the camps and onto the beaches because there’s no fuel for the treatment plants,” Ms Coleman said.
“But when you meet women who’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer, and you know and she knows that treatment is available just on the other side of that wall, and you know that she’s pretty unlikely to get that treatment , in time to save her life, it makes you weep.”
Ms Coleman said the “nightmarish permit system” imposed on Gaza residents by the Israelis contributed to women being diagnosed or treated too late to be saved.
“The permit system is designed to give everyone who wants to go in and out the maximum amount of irritation – whether it’s kids and adults with cancer who need to get out to get treatment, or doctors who are trying to get into Gaza, the system is designed not to work.
“Women in Gaza wait for travel approval from doctors in the government hospitals, they wait for approval from the Treatment Abroad System, they wait for a financial assessment, which they need before they’re allowed to travel and then they have to wait for approval from the Israeli Defence Force.

“This process can take up to six months, but some women never get these approvals at all, so they die waiting.”

Ms Coleman acknowledged the late Janet Reid, from Melbourne, whose generous donation had funded the first six months of the program in the Gaza Strip. Since 1 July this year, 443 women had been screened and more than 30% of those women needed further investigation or treatment.
For further information, see www.womendiewaiting.org.au

"Do not kill M", Court siad .. " Let her die", Family said

noreply@blogger.com (Sonnet) — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 02:50:58 PDT

The Court of Protection will rule later on whether a brain-damaged woman should be allowed to die, in what is being seen as a landmark case.

The woman, who is 51 and can be referred to only as M, is in what is known as a "minimally conscious state".

Her family say she is in pain and that artificial feeding and hydration should be withdrawn.

The Official Solicitor has strongly opposed the application, arguing that she may be able to communicate.

M became severely brain damaged eight-and-a-half years ago. She is unable to talk and had been thought to be in a vegetative state, with no awareness or consciousness of her surroundings.

However subsequent tests indicated that she is in a "minimally conscious state" - on the edge of awareness.

She is now being looked after in a care home in the north of England.

In a preliminary ruling on the case, Mr Justice Baker said the tragedy had had a "devastating impact", not only on M, but on her family, including her mother, sister and partner.

Those family members had "come to a clear view that M would not wish to continue living in her current state and that it is not in her interests to do so".
'Showed awareness'

They believe that M is suffering and experiences pain. They are seeking a legal declaration that she lacks capacity to make decisions over her future treatment, and that it is not in her interests for artificial nutrition and hydration to be provided.

They want an order allowing all those looking after her to stop all "life-sustaining treatment", and to concentrate instead on minimising her distress and protecting her dignity until she dies.

The Official Solicitor, a lawyer appointed to represent M, opposes the application, arguing that M could respond to touch, "showed awareness" and may be able to communicate using a switch.

Mr Justice Baker said the case "potentially raises issues of the utmost importance". He said this was the first time the court had been asked "to approve the withholding of nutrition from a patient whose consciousness is above that of the vegetative state".

In 1993 the House of Lords ruled that doctors need not keep someone alive if it was viewed that it was of no benefit to the patient. That case was crucial in determining that feeding tubes could be regarded as medical treatment.

Since 1993, a total of 43 patients in a persistent vegetative state, or PVS, have died after a judge ordered that treatment could be withdrawn.

This case is different because M is minimally conscious.

Source and details: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-15082763

حملة ترشيح الدكتور جلال نجيب الكيلاني لعضوية نقابة أطباء مصر 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Sonnet) — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 15:24:27 PDT

الترشيح: عضوية النقابة العامة على مستوى الجمهورية لأكثر من 15 عاماً

الورقة الثانية لاختيار مستوى النقابة العامة جمهورية فوق السن

"مدخل إلى إصلاح المنظومة الصحية في مصر"

• العمل على تنشئة جيل من الأطباء يعملون بجودة عالية و ليس فقط عدد كبير من الأطباء. هذا يحتاج إلى العديد من الإمكانيات و برامج التدريب و التقييم المستمر للأطباء بالنقابة و المستشفيات الجامعية. سيتم ذلك قبل أية تقدم لوظيفة أو ترقية في مجال العمل. من المقترح أن نستخدم برامج تعليم و تدريب ناجحة من بريطانيا و أمريكا و كندا.

• كيف نعيد للأطباء المصريين الاحترام؟ كيف نعيد لشهاداتنا المصرية احترامها داخل و خارج مصر؟ علينا أن نعمل بجد في هذه الخطوة بالتعامل الجيد مع الجامعات الدولية ( على سبيل المثال جامعة هارفارد، إراسمس،....). و علينا أن نعمل على جلب إشراف من هذه المؤسسات الطبية العريقة للحصول على نظام عملي للتطبيق في مصر.

• يجب أن يزدهر البحث العلمي في مصر ثانية. يجب أن يختص بعض الأطباء فقط بالبحث العلمي و يركزون على هذه المهمة. و يجب أن يؤخذ الدعم إجباريا من شركات الأدوية حسما من الضرائب التي تدفعها هذه الشركات.

• راتب الطبيب المصري بعد سنة الامتياز يجب ألا يقل عن 5000 جنيه. و هذا تحديدا سيضمن للكثير من الأطباء حياة كريمة و قدرة على التدريب العلمي في أفضل الأماكن.

• اللجنة التي تختار أي شخص للتعيين في المجال الطبي أو للتخرج يجب أن تختار بعناية حسب: ( السيرة الذاتية، الأبحاث المنشورة، الخلفية الجيدة خلقيا و عمليا، انتخابات ديموقراطية شفافة).

• البدء فورا في علاج بعض الأمراض المزمنة والمنتشرة المتوطنة في مصر عن طريق برنامج متكامل. و يشمل على سبيل المثال ( الالتهاب الكبدي الوبائي ج – أمراض شرايين القلب التاجية – أمراض روماتيزم القلب – داء السكري –الفشل الكلوي-....).

• يجب البدء في تنفيذ بعض الخطوات دون تأخير و تشمل:

• مراقبة التعقيم بكل حزم من وزارة الصحة و نقابة الأطباء في كل المجالات الجراحية و ما شابه في كل مصر.

• يجب تفعيل دور الإعلام و خاصة التليفزيون المصري في هذا المجال.

• يجب تشجيع دور الطب الوقائي لمنع حدوث الأمراض و تقليل خطر ( العدوى بالفيروس الكبدي الوبائي، التدخين، ارتفاع دهون الدم، السمنة). و هذه كلها أسباب يمكن التحكم فيها لمنع أمراض خطيرة في المستقبل بكل سهولة.

• يجب أن تغطي مظلة التأمين الصحي كل المصريين للحصول على أفضل وسائل علاج لكل المرضى.

• برامج توعية مستمرة لتعريف الناس بالصحة العامة و الحياة الصحية عبر وسائل دعاية مختلفة و فعالة.

• لا بد من التعاون المستمر بين الوزارات و المؤسسات المختلفة للتخلص من مشاكل : (تلوث الهواء ، إعادة تدوير المياه، إعادة تدوير المخلفات الصلبة،...). على سبيل المثال، يجب تفعيل التعاون بين وزارة الصحة و البيئة.

قالوا عنه: " اسشاري و استاذ القلب في جامعة طنطا. أفكاره مميزة و من أصغر المرشحين سنا و من أكثرهم حماسا. لديه برنامج مميز و متفاعل مع قضايا شباب الأطباء. لديه خبرة في علوم الإدارة الطبية. شارك مؤخرا في الوقفة الاحتجاجية أمام مجلس الوزراء"

What happened in Abu Salim hospital; Tripoli, Libya ?

noreply@blogger.com (Sonnet) — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 15:54:13 PDT

Snapshot from AJE report in Abu Salim hospital

The four-story hospital was in the Abu Salim neighbourhood, which has seen some of the heaviest fighting this week. The facility was empty and it could not be determined when the men had been killed. The floors were covered with shattered glass and bloodstains, while medical equipment was strewn about. Read more.. Tripoli Post.

Dead bodies lie on beds in Abu Salim trauma hospital;Tripoli, Libya (Photo: AFP)

The hospital had been cut off from health care workers for five days as rebel fighters sought to dislodge Gaddafi loyalists in the surrounding area of Abu Salim. Rescuers finally reached the hospital late on Thursday, finding 21 surviving patients among a macabre scene of dead bodies.
On Friday morning, a team from the International Committee of the Red Cross evacuated the survivors from the virtually deserted facility. They had waited for days as the stench of decomposing bodies grew, the corridors spattered with blood, the morgue overflowing with corpses and dozens still in their hospital rooms. Twenty bodies were piled on the grass in the garden outside, and one was still lying on a bloody gurney outside the emergency ward. Read more...The Telegraph.

The decaying bodies of up to 80 people have been found in Tripoli's Abu Salim trauma hospital.

Among the bloodshed of the fighting in Tripoli's Abu Salim area one family celebrated their own miracle. As the rebels swept in last Sunday, 10-year-old Mohammad went on to the streets to watch history being made. Injured in the chaos, he was taken to a local hospital where his parents eventually found him by chance. The doctor who treated him said: "We were trying to transfer him (to a better hospital), and suddenly the family arrived to look for him. They saw him in the ambulance and they were very, very shocked."

The Abu Salim trauma hospital in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, has been cut off to most of the outside world due to fighting in the area.

More than 200 decomposing bodies have been found abandoned at a hospital in a district of the Libyan capital, Tripoli, that has seen fierce fighting.

“Conditions in there are dreadful – just dreadful,” said Red Cross worker Bridget Comninos, “we are just trying to assist doctors here.”

Check this report "The horror of Abu Salim " by Alex Thomson for Channel 4 News

"So far, we have delivered enough medical supplies to treat at least 500 people, but there are likely to be many more casualties," said Mr Comninos. "We are increasingly concerned about the inability of medical personnel to reach hospitals. Abu Salim Trauma Centre, which is in an area where fighting is taking place, simply cannot function because of a lack of staff." Said the ICRC.
Read more ...Libya: ICRC surgical team on its way to Tripoli

Seventeen survivors taken away from Abu Salim's hospital for treatment by the Red Cross. AFP

The boy was one of 17 survivors taken away for treatment by the Red Cross, one of whose workers described the conditions as "dreadful". Read more

Finally, let's thanks brave doctors in Libya

Brave Doctors in Tripoli, Libya

noreply@blogger.com (Sonnet) — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 05:03:01 PDT

UPDATE: Medical drugs and surgical supplies needed urgent in Tripoli:

MEDICAL DRUGS
- Augmentin 1g
- Augmentin 625 mg cap
- Tramadol
- Thiopental sodium
- Flagyl infusion
- Mannitol
- Sodium bicarbonate solution
- Ringer's lactate
- Pethidine
- Tramal injection
MEDICAL SUPPLIES
- Tracheotomy set
- Vascular set
- Chest set
- Laparotomy set
- IV set
- Syringes
- Ciclex solution
- Rubbing alcohol
- Sterile gauze
- Gauze roller
- KY gel (gel for ultrasounds)
- Oxygen cylindrical
- Synthetic vascular patches - "Dacron"
- Gloves

Babalazyzia, Tripoli , Libya : A doctor helps a wounded rebel.

Photograph: Marco Salustro/EPA

Evanchill ; AJE Correspondent said "I asked doctor in #Tripoli hospital to write list of badly needed medicine. James Bays just mentioned it on air, we'll put it on the website"

More than 400 killed, 2,000 injured in Tripoli battle: Libya rebel leader said

Two men receive medical treatment after they were injured during fighting at Bab al Aziyah in Tripoli, on August 23, 2011. Rebel supporters have set up a field hospital in a vacant private house to treat wounded from the battle for Tripoli. (Reuters/Louafi Larbi)

DrSonnet Doctor and activist said: "The International Committee of the Red Cross is sending two surgical teams to #Tripoli #Libya . #Humanitarian #CNN"

Tripoli/Geneva (ICRC) – As Libya’s armed conflict continues, with fierce fighting in the capital's streets, the ICRC has started distributing medical and surgical kits to some of the city’s main hospitals....Read more about: Libya: ICRC delivers emergency supplies to Tripoli hospitals

Here is Aljazeera report about Main hospital in Libyan capital in urgent need of medical supplies as wounded patients pour in.

Finally, Let's remember this essay: "To be a doctor in Libya" written in 25th Feb 2011, few days after Moamar Gaddafi started crackdown of revolution.

What have you learned from #Srebrenica #Genocide?

noreply@blogger.com (Sonnet) — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 18:08:09 PDT

Coffins of the 613 massacre victims were laid in rows on Sunday before the formal burial ceremony [AFP] , وصول رفات 613 من ضحايا مذبحة سربرنيتشا بعد 16 عام ليدفنوا اليوم

Today is 16th memorial of #Srebrenica #Bosnia , We need #Srebrenica to trend world wide on twitter, Please hash-tag your tweets with #Srebrenica

Feel free to share any of my posts on #Srebrenica

On Tumblr

http://drsonnet.tumblr.com/tagged/Srebrenica

On Blog

http://shayunbiqalbi.blogspot.com/search/label/سربرنيتشا

The lesson I have learned form Srebrenica Genocide during my follow up over years:

Justice will prevail even after a while.

If you seek your right, you will not lose it.

Documenting the massacre is an approach to restore the rights.

The right can be opposed, even if it is well seen.

Do not trust blindly the United Nations or the Blue hats.

The perseverance in a scientific and practical approach of Trial is the way to achieve justice.

Be strong even if you are oppressed.

Revenge is a weakness.

After retrieving the right, you can pardon, it is a virtue.

The pardon before getting the right is a weakness and subservience ....

Now, your turn,...What have you learned from #Srebrenica #Genocide? or Bosnia Genocide as a general? feel free to comment.

Hospitals Are Needlessly Irradiating Their Patients!

noreply@blogger.com (Sonnet) — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 07:03:25 PDT

Kwame Opam —Medicare outpatient claims for 2008 are showing that thousands of Medicare patients received unnecessary double CT scans that year. The practice not only costs the Medicare program millions of dollars, but exposes patients to potentially dangerous doses of radiation.
Read more and know the real examples...

When doctors struggle and win.

noreply@blogger.com (Sonnet) — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 06:01:24 PDT

Dr Kamiar Alaei

For years, Dr. Kamiar Alaei and his brother, Dr. Arash Alaei, fought the spread of AIDS in their native Iran. The clinics and anonymous needle exchanges they set up became a model for prevention around the world.

But in 2008, the Iranian government arrested the Alaei brothers and subjected them to months of solitary confinement. In a one-day trial, they were convicted of “communicating with an enemy government’’ — an apparent reference to their participation in international public health conferences supported by the United States.

“No prison walls can break the spirit of a human being with a cause,’’ Kamiar Alaei said.

“We thought we were forgotten,’’ Alaei said.

Freed Iranian Doctor Kamiar Alaei thanks Physicians for Human Rights among others for pushing for his release from Iranian prison.

Dr. Arash Alaei

Drs. Kamiar and Arash Alaei, known for putting issues related to HIV/AIDS on Iran’s national health care agenda, are winners of the 2011 Jonathan Mann Award for Global Health and Human Rights.

"We did nothing wrong. We are doctors. We heal people," Alaei said.

"I struggle every day," he said, his soft voice dropping to a whisper. "When I sleep, I go back to prison in my mind."

Doctor released from Iranian prison: "I struggle every day"

Freed Iranian Doctor Kamiar Alaei thanks Physicians for Human Rights among others for pushing for his release from Iranian prison.

Why remember Dinshawai?

noreply@blogger.com (Sonnet) — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 06:55:26 PDT

Today marks the 105th anniversary of the Dinshawai Incident, the dramatic event that any Egyptian school child will dutifully identify as the trigger for the explosion of anti-colonial nationalism in Egypt. The basic narrative of the Incident has been well rehearsed; leaf through any official history textbook (or most newspapers published today) and you’ll likely find some version of the following:
Read more at: Why remember Dinshawai?by Aaron Jakes

Does This Patient Need a Pacemaker?

noreply@blogger.com (Sonnet) — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 13:17:33 PDT

Does This Patient Need a Pacemaker?

I follow almost all posts from "ECG of the Week" at medscape cardiology

by Kyuhyun Wang, MD

This tracing shows blocked P waves with no appreciable lengthening of the PR interval in the conducted beats. Is a pacemaker indicated?

Yes

Discussion

No is the correct answer:

Around the time when the P wave is blocked, the P-P interval significantly lengthens. This suggests that it is not an intrinsic AV conduction problem but that some "force" extrinsic to the heart is causing the sinus node to slow down on the one hand and the AV block to occur on the other. The extrinsic "force" is an increased vagal tone. This phenomenon is seen sometimes in well trained athletes who usually have an increased vagal tone that is benign. A pacemaker is not necessary. Thus, during AV block, paying attention to what the P-P interval is doing is useful in understanding what is happening so that the person can be treated appropriately.

Elie Wiesel and the Criticism of Government

noreply@blogger.com (Sonnet) — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 11:55:59 PDT

Sonnet: "I was asked to republish this post. Read and feel free to comment and give your opinion. waiting for a fruitful discussion "

Republished from Author: Daniel Toljaga

Letter Sent to:
The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C.
The Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity in New York, N.Y.
Author: Daniel Toljaga

On 16 May 2011, Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel received the inaugural United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Award — the Museum’s highest honor — in recognition of his singular contribution to humanity and the cause of Holocaust remembrance. I know that his mother died in the Holocaust, a traumatic loss that must haunt him along with the horrible memories of the two Nazi concentration camps he survived.

Nothing can compare with the spiritual and emotional experience of a Holocaust survivor, but nevertheless I am able to share Elie Wiesel’s understanding of the importance of remembrance and respect. In World War II dozens of extended members of my ethnically mixed family were tortured and killed by Croatian Ustashas in the Jasenovac concentration camp; other relatives died at the hands of Serbian Chetniks elsewhere in Bosnia. So I am able to appreciate Elie Wiesel’s feelings and emotional connection to Israel — a state that has a right to exist and is rightfully Jewish.

Nevertheless I believe that no government can be exempt from criticism, human beings should not be the subject of unequal treatment, and the blame for atrocities cannot be shared equally between victims and perpetrators. Even when no party to a conflict is entirely free of responsibility, it is still possible to distinguish the innocent from the guilty.

I see no problem with those who criticize the government of Bosnia-Herzegovina. I welcome those who criticize me, and I welcome anyone who values and exercises freedom of speech. That includes those who have the courage to offer a “fair” criticism of Israel — as long as that criticism does not contain anti-semitic overtones. There is a clear line between civilized debate and emotion-fuelled hatred.

It troubles me that to this day Elie Wiesel refuses to offer any criticism of the government of Israel. As a champion of human rights, how can he acknowledge “no-go” areas? As a Holocaust survivor and founder of the Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity, he must surely agree that human rights belong to all sides, in Israel and in the occupied Palestinian territories.

Israel continues to defy United Nations’ resolution and international law. It is a state where Islamophobia is on the rise and democracy and human rights have acquired a new meaning — where they are selectively applied, misunderstood, abused, and violated. At the same time Israel’s neighbors with Muslim majorities are no better; they cultivate and promote anti-semitism, Holocaust denial, and routinely violate basic human rights.

Israelis and Palestinians share the blame for terror and war crimes in their neighborhood; the difference is in the extent of the war crimes committed by the Israeli side — an inequality evidenced by a multitude of unbiased and well-documented human rights reports.

I urge Elie Wiesel to reconsider his silence.

do not miss #Srebrenica: A Cry from the Grave #mladic

noreply@blogger.com (Sonnet) — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 13:40:48 PDT

Srebrenica: A Cry from the Grave

A Cry from the Grave tells the story of the Srebrenica massacre of 1995, in which the Bosnian Serb army killed an estimated 7,000 Bosnian Muslims.

It follows hour by hour the story of the killings. Through the testimony of survivors and relatives of those who died it explores the pain felt when no one is brought to justice.There are interviews with investigators from the UN-sponsored court at The Hague and from the UN special prosecutor.

But the underlying message of the film is bleak indeed - no matter what is done, it will never be enough. A Cry from the Grave has won numerous prizes. It has been shown at the UN, and it was used during a war crimes trial at The Hague.

Europe Must Accept Boat People Fleeing Libya

noreply@blogger.com (Sonnet) — Fri, 20 May 2011 11:54:34 PDT

Europe Must Accept Boat People Fleeing Libya

MSF Criticizes European Policies Claiming to Protect Civilians, While Borders are Closed <!--

May 18, 2011

Paris, May 19, 2011 – The international medical humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) published an open letter today in 13 newspapers across Europe, addressed to the leaders of European Union member states involved in the war in Libya.
In the letter, MSF criticizes contradictory European policies, which claim to be executing a war to protect civilians, while closing borders to the victims of that same war on the pretext of preventing a massive influx of illegal immigrants.

Read more.....

US Doctors 'Hid Signs of Torture' at Guantanamo. #medical #ethics

noreply@blogger.com (Sonnet) — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 08:02:29 PDT

Published on Wednesday, April 27, 2011 by The Independent/UK

US Doctors 'Hid Signs of Torture' at Guantanamo
by Steve Connor

US government doctors who cared for the prisoners at Guantanamo Bay deliberately concealed or ignored evidence that their patients were being tortured, the first official study of its kind has found.
A detailed review of the medical records and case files of nine Guantanamo inmates has concluded that medical personnel at the US detention centre were complicit in suppressing evidence that would demonstrate systematic torture of the inmates. (Image Credit: United States Department of Defense) A detailed review of the medical records and case files of nine Guantanamo inmates has concluded that medical personnel at the US detention centre were complicit in suppressing evidence that would demonstrate systematic torture of the inmates.
The review is published in an online scientific journal, PLoS Medicine, and is the first peer-reviewed study analysing the behaviour of the doctors in charge of Guantanamo inmates who were subjected to "enhanced interrogation" techniques that a decade ago had been classed by the US government as torture.
Vincent Iacopino, senior medical adviser for Physicians for Human Rights, and Brigadier General Stephen Xenakis, a retired US Army medical officer, had access to the medical records and case files while acting on behalf of defence lawyers.
They concluded that no doctor could have failed to notice the medical signs and symptoms of the extreme interrogation techniques and unauthorised assaults that other physicians would recognise as torture, such as severe beatings resulting in bone fractures, sexual assaults, mock executions, and simulated drowning by "waterboarding".
"The findings in these nine cases indicate that medical doctors and mental health personnel assigned to the US Department of Defence neglected and/or concealed medical evidence of intentional harm," the authors of the study concluded. "The full extent of medical complicity in US torture practices will not be known until there is a thorough, impartial investigation including relevant classified information. We believe that, until such time as such an investigation is undertaken, and those responsible for torture are held accountable, the ethical integrity of medical and other healing professions remains compromised."
Many of the prisoners said they were also subjected to unauthorised abuses resulting in severe and prolonged physical and mental pain. These abuses could not have gone on for so long without the Guantanamo doctors being aware of the pain inflicted, the study found.
"They effectively concealed the medical evidence of torture," said Dr Iacopino. "Even in the absence of any standard operating procedures, the physicians involved had an ethical duty not to do any harm but it is clear this principal was breached. They could have and should have had the courage to document the abuse, but unfortunately that wasn't done. We need a full investigation and the release of classified information to find out what happened."
In 2002, the US government redefined acts such as waterboarding, sleep deprivation, temperature extremes, the use of stress positions, and prolonged isolation as "safe, legal, ethical and effective" when dealing with the interrogation of suspected terrorists.
All of the nine detainees investigated in the study claimed to their own legal teams that they were also subjected over many months – and in some cases years – to additional, unauthorised episodes of ill-treatment, such as severe beatings, threats of rape, or forced nudity.
"The abuses reported in this case series could not be practised without the interrogators and medical monitors being aware of the severe and prolonged physical and mental pain that they caused," the study found.
Dr Iacopino said that if individual doctors are found to have breached professional ethics by ignoring the evidence of torture, they should have their medical licence removed at the very least.
"In the case of individuals who aided or abetted torture, or knowingly neglected to document torture, then at the minimum they should have their licence removed, but they should also be subject to adjudication under the rule of law," Dr Iacopino said.

#Mubarak health state

noreply@blogger.com (Sonnet) — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 15:28:38 PDT

Mubarak's health state: Just a thought by reading of some links

Mubarak (pictured in 2008) had back surgery in Germany in 2004, and returned there in 2010 to have his gall bladder removed. CNN

Yesterday, they said officially by (manger of Sharm International hospital) Mubarak has Atrial fibrillation (AF) and hypotension...Now they said HR was just ~120 bpm. How it comes to be first attack of AF with heart rate of only 120 and respond suddenly to 68 bpm? It may be neurological (Neurogenic) AF ..OK, but usually Heart rate in these states is 150 bpm or higher and must be irregular.

False news spread that he has Heart attack (ACS; USA,MI). This was not true!

They has speculations that he is on chemotherapy, or radiotherapy. SO, he might has cardiac insult. This was not confirmed and even officially rejected today.

He had apparently picture of TIA in Ramdan ~ in 2003. However, MOH said he has Flu and just tired! OK. Other past history include Acoustic neuroma, Back problems treated in 2008, Recent GB operation and they said no Tumors.

OK. I hope he is fine and in a good health. However, they said he is more or less stable yesterday evening,... then not stable today!

Why Dr Elsebaey is there? He is forensic scientists! He might be the head of medical committee. However, where is the cardiologist? Where is the treating doctor?

They said his EF is 73% (Normal range is 60 +/- 10%). OK If he had Acute AF and converted to sinus rhythm...At least EF will be reduced even to low normal range. Never to be in high normal. Even, if he is athlete and pilot.....

Then, they said he has just a nervous break down. That is accepted and logic regarding rate and sudden improvement.

I ask MOH to explain what said at start about (AF)!!

I hope they are telling truth regarding Mubarak health.

By the way, I hope he is OK and well treated before going to fair trial.

This is justice.

Update:

قام الدكتور السباعي بالكشف عليه فتوصل إلى أن مبارك يعاني من الارتجاف الأوزونى، والذي ظهرت أعراضه بوجود ارتفاع حاد فى ضغط الدم، وبطء فى سرعة نبضات القلب، وتبين أن الضغط 80/50، بينما كانت سرعة نبضات القلب 120، وأن حالته خطرة ويمكن أن يقف قلبه، لذا طلب الدكتور السباعي من الجهات الأمنية نقل الرئيس السابق إلى المستشفى فى أسرع وقت.

وكان حوله أطباؤه وزوجته وابناه علاء وجمال وكان ضغطه 80/50 والنبض 120 وكان ذلك يهدد بتوقف القلب.

وعن حالته الصحية الأربعاء، قال: «توجهت إليه واكتشفت أن ضغطه ارتفع إلى 130/80، وأصبح النبض 65 وهو طبيعى، وتبين للفريق الطبى أن مبارك يعانى من ارتجاف الأوزنى فى عضلة القلب وصافحته وغادرت المستشفى وكانت به حراسة كبيرة من الأمن خارج الغرفة وعلى بابها».

Even, they said again it is due to DRUG (iatrogenic)...and he is seen and examined clinically by Dr elsebaey! Heart rate is low and high in same paragraph at elahram (Public official newspaper)! Even Arabic MEDICAL translation is not correct (AF)by anyway in many links.

اسمها رعشة أذينية أو ارتجاف أذيني و ليس الأوزنى

References

http://gate.ahram.org.eg/News/60071.aspx
http://www.almasryalyoum.com/node/399103
http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/04/12/egypt.mubarak.hospitalized/index.html
http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/egypt-newspaper-revives-questions-over-mubaraks-health/
http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/04/13/egypt.mubarak.family/index.html
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/04/12/us-egypt-mubarak-idUSTRE73B1D120110412
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3225466.stm
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/mubarak-still-hospital-health-unstable-source-20110413-053711-530.html
http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/8764132-mubaraks-health-condition-allows-him-to-investigate/stories
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/9977/Egypt/Politics-/Mubaraks-health-unstable-but-he%E2%80%99s-not-dying.aspx
http://english.cntv.cn/20110413/104785.shtml
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/apr/12/hosni-mubarak-hospitalised-egypt?CMP=twt_fd

AHA Issues Congenital Heart Disease Guidelines CME/CE

noreply@blogger.com (Sonnet) — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 15:27:13 PDT

At what age does the ACC-AHA recommend transition of care for adolescents with CHD?

Answer: 12 years
The recent "ACC/AHA Guidelines on the Management of Adults with Congenital Heart Disease" recommend that the transition process start at age 12 years to prepare the patient for transfer to adult care. The timing should be guided by emotional development and maturity level, the adolescent should be engaged to share fears and concerns, and the pediatric cardiologist should work with the adolescent on the plan.

Which of the following factors is least likely to be considered high risk for a patient with CHD preparing for noncardiac surgery?

Answer: Prosthetic valve
High-risk patients include those with pulmonary hypertension, cyanotic CHD, New York Heart Association class III or IV, severe ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction of less than 35%, and severe left-sided heart obstructive lesion. Moderate-risk patients include those with a prosthetic valve, intracardiac shunt, moderate left-sided heart obstructive lesion, and moderate left ventricular dysfunction.

Congenital heart disease in Sudan

noreply@blogger.com (Sonnet) — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 10:04:57 PDT

Congenital cardiolpogy today just published new article on: CHD in neonates and infants in a developing country: patterns and constrains. It is a concise and informative study from Sudan. You must read.
http://www.congenitalcardiologytoday.com/index_files/CCT-APR11-INT.pdf