Pakistan human resources for health assessment, 2009

Pakistan faces a human resources for health [HRH] crisis. A cross-sectional survey was conducted to overview frontline health workers. A total of 750 health facilities were surveyed across Pakistan. The median estimate of public sector health care workers in the district health system in Pakistan is 417 288, including 46 153 doctors and 41 032 nurses. Another estimated 20 000 doctors work in public sector tertiary care hospitals across the country. A total of 3549 health care workers were interviewed regarding job satisfaction and work environment. The private sector had better work environment scores compared with the public sector. Policy dimensions showed an absence of robust policies in practice. The public sector is inadequately staffed and job satisfaction and work environment need improvement. HRH crisis countries should share experiences, and developmental partners should support them in overcoming the HRH crisis

Pharmacognostical studies of the Unani drug Kamala [Mallotous philippinensis MuelL-Arg

In the present paper an attempt has been made to find out, botanical, physico-chemical and phytochemical characteristics of the powdery covering of ripe fruits obtained from Kamala [Mallotus philippinensis Muell.-Arg.]. The important parameters are studied macro-microscopically characters, pH values, total ash, acid insoluble ash, water insoluble ash, sulphated ash, qualitative ash, analysis for inorganic constituents, qualitative analysis of different extractives for organic chemical constituents, successive extractive values, thin layer chromatography of different extracts and their analysis has also been performed. Detailed Phytochemical studies have been further confirmed that the main organic compound in the powder studied is [Rottlerin]. The compound has been found in dark brown rhombic crystal m.p. 203-05°C It is an important medicinal tree, which is used traditionally for the treatment of ringworm, scabies, herpes and other parasitic skin diseases. Kamala powder alone is applied over syphilitic ulcers

comparative study of the aerial parts of punarnava [Trianthema portulacastrum Linn.] commonly used in traditional medicine and its adulterator boerhaavia diffusa Linn

The aerial part of Trianthema portulacastrum Linn, [white variety] is used in Unani Medicine to treat inflammation, asthma, dropsy, bronchitis, ascites, orchitis, and migraine. The practitioners of Ayurveda and Unani also employ it for diuretic action. Even involuntarily, Trianthema portulacastrum may be adulterated by Boerhaavia diffusa. The morphoanatomic features having diagnostic value for the identification of both species in their state of crude drug are evaluated. The important parameters are also studied as qualitative ash analysis for inorganic constituents, qualitative analysts of different extractives for organic chemical constituents, successive extractive values, thin layer chromatography of different extracts, total ash, acid insoluble and water soluble ash and their analysis have been performed

Ethno-botanical distribution and cultivation of some traditional medicinal plants of Delhi [India]

A survey has been carried out on the ethno-botanical distribution and cultivation of medicinal plants used by local people in various parts of Delhi [India] and its suburbs. The paper highlights experimental demonstrations and cultivation practices of some important medicinal plants of Delhi [India] viz., Chirchita [Achyranthes aspera Linn.], Atibala [Abutilon indicum L., Sweet], Greater ammi [Ammi majus Linn.], and Vasaka [Adhatoda vasica Nees.] etc. The species focused belong to families Amaranthaceae, Malvaceae, Apiaceae, Acanthaceae, Liliaceae, Cannabinaceae, Apocynaceae, Asteraceae, Cucurbitaceae, Caesalpiniaceae, Lamiaceae and Plantaginaceae and grow in Delhi and its outskirts. Thus, twenty-five medicinal plants belonging to eighteen families are described in alphabetical order along with the ethno-botanical distribution, cultivation, mode of administration, flowering and fruiting

Traditional wound healing plant drugs

Various aspects of the treatment of human wounds are presented and the different approaches to wound healing have been described in this paper. The part of naturals [Leaf, Stem, Root, Flower, Seed, Fruits, etc.] to fight against wound is elaborated and isolation of novel wound healing agents from the natural sources has been presented. In Unani System of Medicine most of the drugs are obtained from herbs and used either in single or compound form, used locally or orally. Argyreia nervosa, Centella asiatica, Euphorbia neriifolia and Rubia cordifolia are some of the important wound healing drugs. In addition to wound healing, these are also used as diuretic, laxative, for dysentery, bronchitis, leucoderma, and in different tumors in Unani System of Medicine