Lahore: Leading Pakistani physicians, researchers and a senior health journalist were honoured with prestigious national awards and gold medals at the 7th International Health Research Conference organized by the Health Research Advisory Board (HealthRAB) at the Institute of Public Health Lahore, in recognition of their outstanding contributions to medical sciences, public health, health journalism and research in Pakistan.
Federal Health Secretary Muhammad Aslam Ghauri presented the awards and gold medals to distinguished professionals from across the country during a ceremony attended by senior healthcare experts, policymakers, researchers and medical educators.
Prominent public health expert Prof Dr Shahzad Ali Khan received the National Health Research Award and Gold Medal in Public Health for his services in health systems strengthening, epidemiology, health policy and public health education. He currently serves as Vice Chancellor of the Health Services Academy and has played a key role in public health research and workforce development in Pakistan.
Renowned physician, academician and former caretaker federal health minister Prof Dr Javed Akram was awarded the Hajra Billo Gold Medal in Clinical Sciences for his decades long contributions to medicine, medical education and healthcare leadership in Pakistan. Prof Javed Akram has served as Vice Chancellor of the University of Health Sciences and is regarded among Pakistan’s leading physicians and medical reform advocates.
Internationally acclaimed scientist Prof Dr M Iqbal Choudhary was awarded the Hajra Billo Basic Health Sciences Award and Gold Medal for his remarkable contributions to chemical and biological sciences, natural product research and scientific collaboration. Prof Iqbal Choudhary is associated with COMSTECH and is widely recognized for promoting scientific research and innovation across the Muslim world.
Veteran neurosurgeon Prof Dr Syed Athar Inam from Aga Khan University received the Prof Ejaz Vohra Lifetime Achievement Award for his exceptional services in neurosurgery, medical teaching and healthcare leadership spanning several decades.
The Health Journalism Award was presented to senior health journalist Amer Malik of The News International in recognition of his contributions to health reporting and public awareness on medical and healthcare issues.
Speaking on the occasion, Federal Health Secretary Muhammad Aslam Ghauri said Pakistan needed to encourage research culture, evidence based policymaking and scientific innovation to address growing healthcare challenges, infectious diseases and non communicable diseases.
HealthRAB Secretary General Dr Zakiuddin Ahmed said the conference aimed to recognize individuals who had made extraordinary contributions in health sciences, public health, research and medical journalism.
Among those present on the occasion were renowned diabetologist Prof Abdul Basit, eminent psychiatrist Prof Dr Iqbal Afridi, senior public health expert Prof Shaheen Naz Masood, Chief Executive Officer of Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan Dr Obaidullah, Chief Executive Officer of the Sehat Sahulat Program Muhammad Arshad Qaimkhani, Vice Chancellor of King Edward Medical University Prof Dr Mahmood Ayaz, renowned orthopedic surgeon and CEO of Saman-e-Shifa Foundation Dr Shahid Noor, senior NIH official Dr Faiza Bashir, eminent physician Prof Bashir Hanif and Managing Director of Tabba Heart Institute.
The conference featured scientific sessions on health research, emerging diseases, medical education, digital health, non communicable diseases, pharmaceutical regulation and evidence based healthcare policies, with participation of researchers and healthcare professionals from across Pakistan.