IMPACT OF LAND USE CHANGE ON CLIMATE: A CASE STUDY OF GULBERG SCHEME, LAHORE, PAKISTAN

    With embryonic pressure of climate change vulnerability, climate change adaptation and mitigation has become a sizzling issue of 21st century. The whole globe is facing perilous impacts of abrupt climate changes. In Pakistan, the concept of climate change adaptation has been promoted during the last decade. Focussing on land surface temperature, this study determined the impact of commercialization on climate by considering the case of Gulberg Scheme, Lahore. The methodology included: literature review, data collection, procurement of satellite imageries and the use of state of the art sofwares to determine the land surface temperature of various land uses. The study found that change of land use was causing significant rise in temperature. There is need to give due consideration to climate change vulnerability while formulating land use reclassification schemes. Use of green infrastructure may prove to be effective in climate change adaptation. &nbsp

“End Up on the Streets”: an Evidence-based Study on Street-begging and Poverty in Sialkot, Pakistan

The rapid development in 21st century not only gave birth to urbanization but also accompanied emergence of slums in cities. Now days, one of the phenomena grabbing serious attention of social scientists is the association between street – begging and poverty not just in developing countries but also in the developed ones. This research paper intends to analyze the relationship that occurs between street – begging and poverty as a social issue, leading towards its prevention approaches. The study site was Sialkot, a city of province Punjab, Pakistan. It was descriptive cross – sectional and a quantitative approach in its nature. For primary data collection, descriptive survey and designed questionnaire was administered to One hundred and thirty respondent street – beggars chosen randomly from various public places in city. The data analysis phased employed simple descriptive statistics. Finally, an attempt has been made by recommending in form of a road map in order to prevent the city’s discomfort. Findings reveal that majority of beggars are poor, illiterate and needy. They make both ends meet by begging at several spaces and are deprived of generous helping hands. Moreover, begging is a consequence of several factors i.e. poverty, parental loss, physical challenges, unemployment – to name just a few. Furthermore, the recommendations include incorporation of this socio – economically marginalized group in Pakistan’s anti – poverty program. This section is in dire need of employment opportunities provided by Sialkot’s industrialist community in order to desist them from indulging in beggary. The local government authorities and policy planners must embrace multi – targeted approaches in the practice reactive interventions

SARS-CoV-2 vaccination modelling for safe surgery to save lives: data from an international prospective cohort study

Background Preoperative SARS-CoV-2 vaccination could support safer elective surgery. Vaccine numbers are limited so this study aimed to inform their prioritization by modelling. Methods The primary outcome was the number needed to vaccinate (NNV) to prevent one COVID-19-related death in 1 year. NNVs were based on postoperative SARS-CoV-2 rates and mortality in an international cohort study (surgical patients), and community SARS-CoV-2 incidence and case fatality data (general population). NNV estimates were stratified by age (18-49, 50-69, 70 or more years) and type of surgery. Best- and worst-case scenarios were used to describe uncertainty. Results NNVs were more favourable in surgical patients than the general population. The most favourable NNVs were in patients aged 70 years or more needing cancer surgery (351; best case 196, worst case 816) or non-cancer surgery (733; best case 407, worst case 1664). Both exceeded the NNV in the general population (1840; best case 1196, worst case 3066). NNVs for surgical patients remained favourable at a range of SARS-CoV-2 incidence rates in sensitivity analysis modelling. Globally, prioritizing preoperative vaccination of patients needing elective surgery ahead of the general population could prevent an additional 58 687 (best case 115 007, worst case 20 177) COVID-19-related deaths in 1 year. Conclusion As global roll out of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination proceeds, patients needing elective surgery should be prioritized ahead of the general population.The aim of this study was to inform vaccination prioritization by modelling the impact of vaccination on elective inpatient surgery. The study found that patients aged at least 70 years needing elective surgery should be prioritized alongside other high-risk groups during early vaccination programmes. Once vaccines are rolled out to younger populations, prioritizing surgical patients is advantageous