Karachi: The Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT) on Saturday concluded its Winter Volunteer Program with a certificate distribution ceremony for 140 students who successfully completed a week-long, 30-hour community service initiative, bringing the total number of students trained under the program since 2006 to over 7,500.
The biannual volunteer program, held during summer and winter vacations, is aimed at inculcating a sense of community service, empathy and social responsibility among students studying at matriculation, intermediate and O/A Level.
The initiative exposes young students to real-world healthcare environments and encourages them to develop compassion for underprivileged patients, preparing them to become responsible and socially aware citizens in their future professional lives.
During the week-long program, participants attended interactive lectures delivered by SIUT’s senior doctors and experts on a wide range of healthcare-related topics, including kidney function, kidney failure and dialysis, infection control and personal hygiene, robotic surgery, urology, organ donation, liver diseases, gastroenterology, pediatric cardiology, heart diseases and echocardiography, diet and nutrition, psychology, patient safety, quality assurance and the responsible use of media.
Students also participated in sessions at the Centre of Biomedical Ethics and Culture (CBEC), where they were introduced to ethical practices and moral decision-making in healthcare. In addition, they attended a dedicated lecture on SIUT’s digital library to enhance their academic exposure and research skills.
As part of the practical component of the program, the students visited various departments of the institute, including transplant services, dialysis units, robotic surgery, nursing, radiology, radiotherapy and medical social welfare. Through direct interaction with patients, doctors and paramedical staff, they gained first-hand understanding of patient care, teamwork and hospital operations. The participants also visited the Maryam Bashir Dawood Children’s Hospital, where they observed pediatric healthcare services.
Throughout the program, students were introduced to SIUT’s core philosophy of providing high-quality healthcare completely free of cost and without discrimination on the basis of caste, color, creed or financial status. Organizers said this exposure helps students appreciate healthcare as a basic human right and strengthens their sense of social responsibility.
Launched in 2006, the SIUT Volunteer Program has received an encouraging response over the years and has emerged as a model that can be replicated by other healthcare institutions and educational bodies. By combining structured learning, ethical training and hands-on exposure, the program demonstrates how youth engagement initiatives can play a vital role in promoting empathy, ethical values and social awareness in society.
The concluding ceremony was attended by parents, SIUT faculty members and representatives of various educational institutions. Students, parents and teachers praised the initiative, stating that such programs contribute to reducing human suffering and nurturing a more compassionate and responsible generation.
Ends