HighlightsFirst ever immunity profile from Afghanistan on polio antibodies.Reflective findings of program coverage despite dismal security situation and other potential challenges.Identified Immunity gaps suggestive of more robust planning and implementation.

Purpose: To compare recurrence rate of primary pterygium following excision with mitomycin c verses excisionwith amniotic membrane transplant.Study Design: Quasi experimental study.Place and Duration of Study: Qazi Hussain Ahmad Medical Complex, Nowshera, from January 2019 to June2019.Material and Methods: One hundred and two patients presenting for the first time with pterygium were includedin the study and were divided into two groups. Patients having conjunctivitis, blephritis, keratitis or any otherocular inflammatory condition and patients having history of chemical burns and symblepharon were excludedfrom the study. Group A underwent surgical excision with 0.02% mitomycin–C application for 3 minutes andGroup B was surgically treated with application of amniotic membrane. Patients of both groups were followed upfor six months to detect recurrence of pterygium. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20. Frequency andpercentages were calculated for categorical data like age, gender and recurrence rate. Recurrence rate wasstratified among age and sex to see the effect modifiers.Results: Mean age in both groups was 39.98 ± 9.11 years. In group A, 64.70% patients were males and in groupB, 62.74% patients were male. Recurrence of Pterygium was seen in 21.5% patients in group A and 7.84% ingroup B. The difference was statistically significant with a p value of 0.05.Conclusion: Recurrence rate of primary pterygium following excision with mitomycin C is higher than excisionwith amniotic membrane transplant

Abstract: A narrative review explains non-surgical periodontal treatment options. Treatment for periodontitis should restore the patient's healthy gums and healthy, pain-free teeth. Scaling and root surface debridement are two of the main components of non-surgical periodontal therapy (NSPT), which aims to eradicate bacterial plaque on the root surface and set the stage for the root surface to heal without resorting to surgery. NSPT improves Visible Plaque Index (VPI), Gingival Bleeding Index (GBI), Probing Pocket Depth (PPD), Clinical Attachment Level (CAL), and reduces inflammation and periodontal infections. The results of the NSPT are subject to change based on the severity of the patient's condition as well as any other health concerns. This narrative review aim is to reacquaint the reader with all possible options for dealing with periodontal Disease without resorting to invasive surgery. Every person with periodontal disease does not accept surgery. Patients prefer non-invasive treatments because it is less invasive and less risky. NSPT options include different effective options. Scaling with either manual or powered devices can successfully reduce subgingival bacteria to gain healthy tissue. Systemic antibiotics reduce probing depth by 0.2 to 0.8 mm and increase attachment level by 0.2 to 0.6 mm. When utilized properly, lasers can treat both hard and soft tissue walls. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy improved severe periodontitis for almost a year. Single-event photodynamic therapy with scaling and root planning doesn't improve clinical attachment or reduce pocket depth, but it does reduce bleeding. Non-surgical periodontal therapy is the "gold standard" for enhancing patient-based results, lowering co-morbidities, and increasing safety and quality of care.

The technical advisory group of the World Health Organization (Geneva, Switzerland) has suggested person-centered and community-based mental health services in response to the long-term and far-reaching mental health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Task shifting is a pragmatic approach to tackle the mental health treatment gap in low- and middle-income countries. Pakistan is dismally resourced to address the mental health challenges. Pakistan’s government has established a lady health worker’s program (LHW-P) which can be effectively utilized to provide some basic mental health services at community doorsteps. However, lady health workers’ current curriculum does not include mental health as a subject. WHO’s Mental Health Gap Intervention Guide (mhGAP-IG) Version 2.0 for mental, neurological, and substance use disorders in non-specialist health settings can be adapted and utilized to be included as part of the LHW-P curriculum in Pakistan. Thus, the historical lack of access to mental health support workers, counsellors, and specialists can be addressed. Additionally, this will also help to reduce the stigma associated with seeking mental health care outside the boundaries of home, mostly at a huge cost.