IRADA Pakistan (The Initiative on Risk-Reduction and Dependable Alternatives) has urged Pakistan to take inspiration from Sweden, which has become the first nation in the world to achieve official ‘smoke-free’ status, according to sensational new data. Swedes have hit this historic milestone 16 years ahead of the European Union target—while most of their fellow member…
Aga Khan University’s Dr Zafar Fatmi has co-authored a new paper published in the Lancet Planetary Health, highlighting the urgent need to eliminate lead from the global economy. The study, led by Stanford University and co-authored by experts from renowned institutions including AKU, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, University of Southern California, and…
The Initiative on Risk-reduction & Dependable Alternatives (IRADA) hosted its third-round table discussion, bringing together a diverse group of stakeholders, including public health officials, experts, NGOs, medical associations, media, and local community members. The primary focus of the discussion was to explore innovative solutions to reduce the health consequences of smoking. Participants at the round…
WaterAid Pakistan held a significant event today in Lahore to commemorate Global Handwashing Day, underscoring the vital importance of hand hygiene in preventing diseases and safeguarding public health. This year’s theme, “Why Are Clean Hands Still Important?”, emphasizes the ongoing necessity for handwashing practices in homes, schools, communities, and workplaces. The event drew key stakeholders,…
The Aga Khan University Hospital’s (AKUH) Clifton Medical Services (CMS) formally received the Sindh Healthcare Commission License on Friday, 4 October 2024. The recognition underscores AKUH’s commitment to enforcing the Sindh Service Delivery Standards (SSDS) and delivering healthcare services that meet global standards. CMS is AKUH’s flagship outpatient medical center in Clifton, Karachi and is…
On September 30, 2024, the leadership and healthcare professionals of the Aga Khan University came together to celebrate the generosity of Roche, Pakistan, in providing access to cancer care at AKU’s Hospital in Karachi. Since 2018, Roche Pakistan under its access programme, has provided medicines to patients at the Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH), ensuring…
In celebration of World Heart Month, the Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) hosted two major community events, “Mini Marathon” and “World Heart Day Ride”, led by Dr Saulat Fatimi, Section Head of Cardiothoracic Surgery at AKUH, in collaboration with the cycling group Docs on Wheels. Together, these events aimed at promoting heart health and wellness…
The Aga Khan University Hospital’s (AKUH) Head Nurse of Daycare Oncology, Ms Amber Hussain, has been awarded the prestigious DAISY Nurse Leaders Award. She becomes the first nurse from Pakistan to get this international award that recognises, honours and celebrates the compassion and skills nurses bring to their patients every day. The award was presented…
Dr Salimah Walani has been named the next Dean of the Aga Khan University School of Nursing and Midwifery, Pakistan, effective August 1, 2024, as announced by AKU Provost and Vice President, Academic, Dr Tania Bubela. The appointment follows a thorough and competitive recruitment process, which was facilitated by an international search firm and overseen…
Engineer Zahoor Sarwar (PhD) Member Governing Body Pakistan Engineering Council has exposed sleazy venture of engineers’ sale/purchase by PEC Mafia in a press conference held at Lahore press club on 1st August 2024. He explained that Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) is a statuary body formed by passing an act through parliament of Pakistan in 1976….
Pakistan Tobacco Company (PTC) Limited and the Capital Development Authority (CDA) have launched a collaborative initiative, “Throw and Grow,” to promote the greenery of Islamabad’s iconic Margalla hills. This campaign aims to engage hikers and visitors in contributing to the region’s ecological growth. At the entrance points of Trail 3 and Trail 5, stalls offering…
The Aga Khan University Examination Board (AKU-EB) proudly announces its significant contribution to the development of the International Standards for Educational Assessment, recently launched by the International Association for Education Assessment (IAEA) in May 2024. These globally accepted standards set benchmarks for best practices in examinations and assessments worldwide. Aligned with IAEA’s vision, these standards…
The FrieslandCampina Institute was officially launched in Pakistan by Kashan Hasan, Managing Director of FrieslandCampina Engro Pakistan Limited (FCEPL). The inauguration ceremony, held at the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad, marks a significant milestone in advancing healthcare professionals’ education and nutritional awareness across the region. The Institute in Pakistan aims to equip local healthcare professionals with…
Prime Minister’s Climate Change Coordinator, Romina Khurshid Alam, commended the Ministry of Climate Change & Environmental Coordination’s (MoCC&EC) Ozone Cell for training Customs & Enforcement Officers on the Montreal Protocol and HCFC control in Pakistan on the World Environment Day. She hopes this training will aid in curbing the climate menace. The event, organized by…
The Aga Khan University’s Center for IMPACT for Cardiovascular Risk Reduction Studies held an inception meeting where it laid out its research and development plans to combat the rising incidence of cardiovascular diseases, mostly in rural Sindh. Prof Zainab Samad, Chair of the Department of Medicine at AKU, who presided over the meeting said, “While…
The Aga Khan University’s Department of Community Health Sciences (CHS) has kicked off a three-day conference to discuss and resolve adolescent health issues, with participation from the World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF). The conference, titled “Healthy Futures: Preventing Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in Young Hearts and Minds,” sheds light on…
A recent study by the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), titled ‘Impact of Taxation on the Cigarette Sector in Pakistan’, has uncovered a pressing issue that demands immediate attention-the impact of tax policies, particularly Federal Excise Duty (FED) adjustments, on Pakistan’s cigarette industry which is causing more loss to government in revenues loss than…
The Aga Khan University Centre for Innovation in Medical Education (CIME) launched its first-ever international conference, SIMPACT 2024, in Karachi, Pakistan, and Nairobi, Kenya. SIMPACT 2024 brings together a diverse array of simulation professionals, including doctors, nurses, educators, researchers, engineers, students, expert and industry leaders, to revolutionize healthcare education for a safer and more skilled…
Current excise duty structure on tobacco products had pushed the consumers to down-trade from legally compliant cigarette brands to illegal tax-evaded brands easily available all across Pakistan, because of which the national exchequer was expected to face a revenue loss of around PKR310b annually with illicit cigarette brands having more than 60% of the total…
charity: water, a non-profit organization bringing clean and safe water to people around the world, has received support from The Coca-Cola Foundation to launch a transformative clean water project in the Balochistan province in Pakistan. The project aims to support 372 new and rehabilitated community water points to ensure access to clean and safe water…
Right to Protein powered by the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) hosted its second Pitch2Fork program in Dubai, UAE. With a focus on innovations in the protein industry, this platform provided a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs across Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan to pitch their rising businesses to a panel of investors. Shortlisted companies that leveraged…
A new study published by the journal Public Health has indicated that banning disposable vapes may negatively impact 2.6 million people as well as discourage the use of e-cigarettes from then on in the United Kingdom. This research comes from a recent discussion among UK officials to ban disposable vapes to prevent minors from becoming…
Considering the current economic challenges and to ensure access to healthcare, Getz Pharma and M.E.D Consultants signed an MOU for the project Dream Diabetes: SMILE (Simplifying the Life of People with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus). This initiative is designed to simplify the lives of underprivileged individuals living with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) through free…
In a groundbreaking article published in the prestigious Nature Medicine journal, experts from various parts of the world collaborated to address evidence gaps for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in children and adolescents. Notable experts, including Dr Zulfiqar Bhutta and Dr Jai Das from the Institute for Global Health and Development at Aga Khan University (IGHD-AKU) in…
A ceremony, held at Islamabad today, marked the formal handover of the ambulances by Mr. Gyorgy Loncsar, CEO MOL Pakistan, to Deputy Commissioner Kohat, Dr. Azmat Wazir and Additional Deputy Commissioner Hangu, Faheed Khan, both represented the commissioner Kohat. The event was attended by senior officials from both MOL Pakistan and the district administrations of…
In a significant event held today in Islamabad, WaterAid Pakistan unveiled its visionary Country Programme Strategy for the period 2023–2028. This strategy aims to expedite Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) progress in the country, with a strong emphasis on enhancing the resilience of water, sanitation, and hygiene services in the face of climate change. Furthermore,…
In the latest episode of the Happy Chirp podcast series, host Humna Raza engages in a soul-stirring conversation with Rammal Mehmud, a true pioneer in the realm of photography and one of Pakistan’s trailblazing female photographers. The unfolding dialogue takes us on an intimate exploration of Rammal’s life, traversing through the peaks of triumphs, the…
In a heartfelt commemoration of Pinktober, Mr. Rao Salman, CEO of TPL Trakker, along with the executive leadership team, embarked on a thoughtful visit to Baitul Sukoon, a cancer hospital giving free end-to-end treatment to breast cancer patients. Serving as a beacon of hope, the hospital is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, including mammography, ultrasound, radiology,…
Pakistan Tobacco Company Limited (PTC) launched its flagship Be Supplier Program, on Thursday in a bid to accelerate its sustainability agenda through supplier-led innovations. The company also launched its first ‘Environment, Social and Governance Report’ which demonstrates its commitment to sustainable business practices. The ‘Be Supplier for A Better Tomorrow Together’ Conference was attended by…
The Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) at the Aga Khan University (AKU) recently hosted a roundtable discussion to address the details of the newly launched faculty and celebrate its inaugural batch of students, who have embarked on an inspiring journey to pursue their academic and career aspirations. Professor Stephen Lyon, Inaugural Dean, Faculty of…