Budgetary imbalances in the health care system of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: 1990-2007

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, budgetary allocation is not according to need based. In budgetary allocation, criterion of population, area, health status and poverty in the particular district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are not followed. Health authorities do not have a comprehensive plan for identifying and tackling imbalances in health sector. This study was conducted to analyze the budgetary imbalances among various districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and to highlight the priorities like population size, poverty and health status of the population for rational budget allocation. Secondary data from 1990 to 2007 for 24 districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were taken from Budget Documents, Finance Department, Govt. of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Development Budget [Annual Development Plans] Health Sector [Khyber Pakhtunkhwa], Bureau of Statistics, govt of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa [2006-07]. Statistical packages SPSS and Minitab were used for the analysis of the data. The findings revealed that while making budgetary allocations the important component like areas of the districts, population size, poverty status and health status were not considered. The allocation of Rs. 13.777 million made for district Tank in 2006-07 was less as compared to other districts of the province although the district has more area as compared to some other districts. In contrast Rs. 23.549 were allocated to district Bannu which has a population of 863,000, despite the fact that Bannu has small area as compared to some other districts. District Charsadda received Rs. 114.65 million which was not enough due to its huge population. District Lakki, district Shangla, Swat, Bunair and Chitral are backward in terms of basic health facilities, but the budget allocated was not according to the requirement. It is suggested that 60% of the total budget should be allocated on the basis of population, 20% on the basis of area, 10% on the basis of health status and 10% on the basis of poverty

Relationship between cervical cancers and tobacco smoking

To evaluate the relationship between smoking and cervical cancer, a hospital based study was done to screen sexually active women for cervical cancer at the outpatient dept of KMDC and ASH. They were screened by standard screening test Pap test and their history were recoded regarding tobacco use. Out of 144 women, 87 [60.41%] were inflammatory, 6 [4.16%] have findings of dysplasia, 44[30.55%] were normal and 7 [4.86%] were inadequate. 3 out of 6 [50%] cases of dysplasia were addicted to tobacco and 3 out of 87 [3.5%] in case of inflammation

Epilepsy secondary to neurotrauma

Post traumatic seizures are well known entity and a recognized complication of head injury. The incidence of epilepsy in neurotrauma patients is noted. A total of 1526 patients were admitted in the department of Neurosurgery, Allied Hospital Faisalabad during 4years period. Overall incidence was 13% with relatively higher in paediatric age group [20%] and low [7%] in adult age group. Different methods of risk assessment are also reviewed