Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE’s) examinations that are scheduled to be held in May/June have been postponed, the news was broken over Twitter on Tuesday evening by Federal Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood.

He further mentioned that Cambridge would be announcing the new dates for the exams shortly. The decision was taken in a meeting to review the ongoing situation in Pakistan due to the threat from COVID-19. The meeting was held with provincial education ministers and senior education officials including Head of Cambridge Pakistan, Ms. Uzma Yusaf.

Since many people are asking it is clarified that this decision to postpone O and A level was taken in a meeting where Ms Uzma Yousaf, head of Cambridge in Pakistan was present https://t.co/MuzuowDxzE

— Shafqat Mahmood (@Shafqat_Mahmood) March 17, 2020

It has been clarified by the British Council and Cambridge that the examinations will be held as per schedule across the world and due to the situation in Pakistan, they will take place after the 1st of June.

Cambridge released a media statement on 17th March 2020 to shed some light on the situation at hand. The statement reads,

“We note that Pakistan’s government’s decision that examinations across the country will not take place until 1st June. This includes local and Cambridge examinations. Some Cambridge exams are scheduled to take place from 1 June, and as of now, we anticipate that they will run in Pakistan as planned. “

They further mentioned that the examination board is taking all the necessary actions to ensure the safety of schools and students and are working towards the smooth transition of students moving on to universities.

Read the Complete Press Release by Cambridge

The news comes as a shock to the students who have been preparing to give their exams this year. Students are all under immense distress over the ongoing situation as there is great confusion on when they would be appearing for their papers.

It has been speculated that students could give the complete papers in Oct/Nov session of the Cambridge exams. However, they could also appear for some of the papers after 1st June.

A student of Lyceum College who is registered to appear for the May/June session was contacted and here’s what she had to say on the ongoing dilemma:

The school has not given us a final decision as the situation is still under review. Students are confused as to what is going to happen next.

As per her own schedule, she would choose to give the complete papers together in Oct/Nov instead of just a few in June. CIEs are scheduled to start in April but schools reopen on June 1st. Even if students opt for the papers in June, they may only be able to do parts of a paper as some subject examinations may not even be possible if they are scheduled by Cambridge before June.

It is important to keep in mind that due to the postponement of examinations to Oct/Nov, universities would also have to delay the admission process. In order to accommodate all the students, the Higher Education commission shared in the meeting that they would delay the universities’ admissions process to October.

However, the schools are in communication with CIE and still awaiting a final decision.

This is a developing story. 

Stay tuned to Brandsynario for the latest news and updates.

As the coronavirus pandemic has shaken the world, Pakistan, too, has been affected by this deadly virus.  Among the four provinces, Sindh has been affected the most. On Thursday, after Sindh chief minister’s law adviser, Murtaza Wahab said that two of the coronavirus patients have recovered.

(Update: 18th March 2020)

According to the ISPR, military hospitals will now offer tests for coronavirus. Having said that the main testing facility will be set up at the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology.

On March 13th, during the National Security Committee meeting, Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa ordered the commanders of all hospitals to take necessary actions and to fully cooperate with the civil administration.

In Karachi, only a few hospitals are providing tests and treatment services to the ones who show symptoms or suspected of this virus. However, Agha Khan and Dow Medical Hospital are conducting these tests and the other mentioned hospitals send the received samples to Agha Khan and Dow.

1. Agha Khan University Hospital (Stadium Road Karachi)

The Agha Khan University Hospital is offering tests and treatment services at the cost of Rs7,900. The screening test costs around Rs2,200 whereas the PCR test costs Rs6,000.

However, not everyone would need to pay the total cost

Reportedly, the test takes 24 hours for the results. In a statement, AKUH Senior Manager Patient Business Services Hassan Somani said, “If a patient comes through the government screening process, most expenses are taken care of by the government.”

He further said, “If someone comes for the test without a referral, then they must cover the charges themselves. Still, The Aga Khan University Hospital offers welfare to deserving individuals,” Somani added.

2. Chughtai Lab (Shaheed-e-Millat Road)

Chughtai Lab on Shaheed-e-Millat road is also offering a test that will be conducted by taking a nasopharyngeal swab.

3. Advanced Laboratories (Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Block 15)

Advanced Laboratories is offering a testing facility where it carries out Molecular RNA-based and antibody-based tests on IgM and IgG. The test is taken as taking a sample from a throat swab. The cost of this test is Rs. 6000.

4. Dow Medical Hospital (Ojha campus)

Dow Medical Hospital will proceed for test only if there’s a suspected case. If the hospital receives a suspected case, they to await a green signal after contacting the health department.

The test is said to cost around Rs7,900 and the kits used will be molecular RNA-based. The sample will be taken by a nasopharyngeal swab.

5. Hashmanis (Saddar Branch)

Hashmanis (Saddar branch) is also offering to screen for Coronavirus in Rs. 2100. For screening, they require EDTA Vial and Clotted Vial blood samples of individuals.

6. National Institute of Health (NIH) Islamabad
7. Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP)
8. Punjab AIDS Lab Lahore
9. Shaukat Khanum Memorial Hospital Lahore
10. Nishtar Hospital Multan
11.Ojha Institute Karachi
12. Indus Hospital
13. Punjab Health Laboratory Peshawar
14. Fatima Jinnah Hospital Quetta
15. Mobile Diagnostic Unit Taftan
16. Muzaffarabad Medical Science Institute
17. DHQ Hospital Gilgit
18. Civil Hospital Karachi

Moreover, if any confirmed coronavirus patient wants to get treatment, they can go to Civil Hospital Karachi located in Saddar.

Let’s pray and hope that everyone stays safe and for those affected, hope they recover soon. 

For more news and updates, stay tuned to Brandsynario.

According to The News (International), a man in Karachi was arrested by the authorities for selling fake coronavirus vaccines as the number of cases in the city tripled on Monday.

The suspect was apparently operating a clinic as a doctor in the Defence area. He further provided vaccines for the deadly virus. The case is registered at the Defence Police station.

There are no vaccines officially out for the COVID-19. Citizens are advised to not believe the scammers. Around the globe, scientists are running tests to come up with a vaccine that can kill the virus efficiently.

World Health Organization (WHO), and the Centers for Disease Control and Protection have been running campaigns to suggest people around the globe to wash their hands and clean surfaces that are touched quite frequently.

As if of now, 184 cases have come forward in Pakistan with 25 cases from Karachi.

Identify Your Symptoms 

We spoke to Dr. Bushra Jamil, Professor of Infectious Diseases and Internal Medicine at Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) and President, Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Society of Pakistan regarding the virus and here’s what she had to say:

For more news and updates, stay tuned to Brandsynario.