By: Prof Mulazim Hussain Bukhari
Lahore: The Institute of Public Health Lahore successfully organized the prestigious 7th International Health Research Conference
Mr. Muhammad Aslam Ghauri, Federal Secretary, Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, was the Chief Guest of the first session, while Khawaja Salman Rafique (Provincial Minister for Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education, Government of Punjab) was the Chief Guest of the second session.
The theme of the conference was: “One Nation, One Record, One Registry Network: Strengthening Health Systems through Evidence-Based Research.”
This conference, organized under the auspices of the Health Research Advisory Board (HealthRAB) in collaboration with the Institute of Public Health Lahore, proved to be a memorable and highly successful event on Pakistan’s public health calendar. It brought together national policymakers, renowned academicians, researchers, clinicians, and international experts on a single platform for in-depth deliberations on the vital theme of “One Nation, One Record, One Registry Network.”
Under the leadership of Professor Dr. Saira Afzal, Dean of the Institute of Public Health Lahore, and with the support of HealthRAB, the event was splendid, intellectually stimulating, professionally elegant, and highly impressive. The conference theme was perfectly aligned with the current needs of Pakistan’s healthcare system, and all participants greatly appreciated it.
Participation and Address by the Provincial Health Minister
Provincial Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique participated as a special guest in the 7th International Health Research Conference held at the Institute of Public Health Lahore.
On this occasion, a large number of dignitaries, faculty members, and participants were present, including Ms. Rushda Lodhi, Prof Javed Akram, Prof Mahmood Ayaz, Prof Farooq Afzal, Dean IPH Prof Dr. Saira Afzal, Professor Atiya Mubarak, Dr. Zahid Parvez, Prof Majid Chaudhry, Prof Shahzad Khan, Prof Mulazim Hussain Bukhari, Dr. Qambar Zia, Prof Akbar Chaudhry, Prof Somia Iqtadar, and other national and international speakers.
While welcoming the Health Minister, Prof Dr. Saira Afzal presented a detailed overview of her institution’s performance and delivered a comprehensive presentation on the achievements during her tenure and the future vision of the institute.
In his address, Khawaja Salman Rafique stated that topics such as “One Nation, One Record, One Registry Network” are of utmost importance for the future of Pakistan’s health sector. In the modern era, digital records, disease surveillance, laboratory networks, and evidence-based decision-making have become indispensable for building a strong health system.
He informed the audience that Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz is fully committed to the improvement of the health sector and the welfare of the medical community.
The Government of Punjab is working on several major projects, including the Chief Minister Children’s Heart Surgery Program, kidney and liver transplants, bone marrow transplants, cochlear implants, corneal transplants, adult cardiac surgery, cancer and stroke management. Free dialysis facilities are being provided across government and private hospitals in Punjab. New children’s hospitals are being established at all divisional headquarters, while the Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cardiology in Sargodha and the Jinnah Institute of Cardiology in Lahore will become fully operational in July.
The Provincial Health Minister praised the remarkable progress made by the Institute of Public Health Lahore under the leadership of Professor Dr. Saira Afzal in a short period. He highlighted the renovation of seven buildings, restoration of MPH and MPhil programs, approval of PKR 116 million for a Water Testing Laboratory, and the establishment of a Public Health Laboratory as major achievements. He noted that the institute is playing an effective role in dengue surveillance, vector monitoring, and epidemic response, and that the Government of Punjab is determined to further strengthen the health, research, and disease prevention system.
Inaugural Session and Messages from Patrons
The conference began at 9:30 AM. Dr. Rabia Islam moderated the session, supported by Dr. Maryam and Coordinator Ms. Kanwal Latif Khawaja (Manager HealthRAB).
After the recitation of the Holy Quran and the national anthem, Professor Dr. Saira Afzal delivered her welcome note. This was followed by a detailed lecture on data registries by Professor Mahmood Ayaz. In his address, he emphasized the importance of establishing an integrated national health data registry and making policy decisions evidence-based. He stressed that a “One Nation, One Record” system is essential for better patient outcomes, disease surveillance, and national-level health planning.
Professor Javed Akram remarked that only through indigenous research can society be protected from dangerous diseases, as the world today is overcoming complex illnesses through research.
Dr. Faiza Bashir, representing the National Institutes of Health (NIH), stated that her institution is working day and night for all types of research in service of the country and the nation. Dr. Obaidullah Khan, CEO of DRAP, assured full support and collaboration from DRAP with industry and academic institutions for research.
Contributions of HealthRAB in the Successful Organization of the Conference
Key contributions came from the leadership of HealthRAB, including: Prof Dr. Abdul Basit – Chairman, HealthRAB, Prof Dr. Abdul Ghaffar Billoo – Prof Emeritus Pediatrics, Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH); Founding Chairman, HealthRAB, Prof Dr. M. Iqbal Afridi – Co-Chairman, Prof Dr. Zakiruddin Ahmed – General Secretary, HealthRAB, Prof Dr. Mahmood Ayaz – Vice Chancellor, King Edward Medical University & Board Member, HealthRAB
along with Dr. Somia Iqtadar, Prof Dr. Syed Shahid Noor, and other members. They presented the 11-year performance audit of the organization and highlighted their efforts in bridging academia, industry, and government to develop a research culture in Pakistan.
Keynote Addresses and International Speakers
The scientific program featured outstanding keynote addresses by prominent national and international experts. The distinguished speakers included: Dr. Maria Amer – Assistant Prof, Abu Dhabi University; Former Head SEHA Cancer Registry, UAE, Mr. Omaid Abu Hamidan – SME, Chronic Disease Registries; Head, Qatar National Cancer Registry, Dr. Alexey Bykov – Senior Medical Advisor, Dendrite Clinical Systems, UK, Dr. Faiza Bashir – Research Director, NIH, Prof Dr. Shabeen Naz Masood, Prof Dr. Iqbal Chaudhry, Prof Dr. Shahzad Ali Khan, Professor Dr. Zia-ul-Haq, Prof Dr. Zafar Mirza, Dr. Kausar Abdullah Malik, Prof Dr. Akbar Chaudhry, Prof Dr. Seval Akgün (Turkey), Mr. James Titcombe (Patient Safety Movement Foundation), Ms. Eda Ozcihan (Edu Global, Dubai), and many others.
These addresses shed light on global best practices in clinical registries, patient safety, cancer data management, and quality improvement.
Important Features and Sessions
Prof Javed Akram was conferred the Dr. Vohra Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his outstanding services in public health and medical education. Prof Shahzad Khan received the Hajra Billoo Gold Medal. National Health Research Awards were presented to deserving researchers and young scientists. Prof Dr. Saira Afzal was awarded the Health Journalism Award.
Interactive panel discussions on health system strengthening, digital health records, and evidence-based policy-making were highly engaging. Several high-level panel discussions were also held.
The concluding panel discussion was moderated by Prof Dr. Somia Iqtadar. Panelists included Dr. Obaidullah Khan (CEO DRAP), Prof Dr. Saira Afzal, Prof Moaz-ur-Rahman, Ms. Rushda Lodhi, Professor Iqbal Afridi, and other senior experts.
Hallmark of the conference
A Historic Milestone in Pakistan’s Public Health and Medical Industry Cooperation: MoU Signed Between IPH and IPMDI
Today, under the supervision of the Provincial Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique (Minister for Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education Department, Government of Punjab), a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for academic and research cooperation was signed between Professor Saira Afzal, Dean of the Institute of Public Health (IPH), and General Ejaz Ghani, Head of the Institute of Pakistan Medical Device Industry (IPMDI).
The primary objective of this agreement is to collaborate on Research and Development (R&D) and reverse engineering projects to manufacture affordable, indigenous medical devices in Pakistan that meet international standards.
Under the agreement, both institutions will establish linkages between the medical industry and researchers. Furthermore, they will provide cutting-edge training sessions for students and faculty members, alongside organizing workshops and seminars.
The signing of this MoU also witnessed the participation of Dr. Asim Rauf, Chief Executive Officer of the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP), Professor Syed Mulazam Hussain Bukhari, Ms. Sabiha Khan, Professor Zakiuddin, and Professor Basit.Secret Behind the Success of the Conference
The resounding success of the conference was due to the visionary leadership of Dean IPH Prof Dr. Saira Afzal and the tireless efforts of her team. Under her dynamic guidance, the Institute of Public Health is emerging as a leading center for research, innovation, and international collaboration in the health sector.
Throughout all sessions, scholarly discussion, networking, and a strong commitment to future collaboration were evident. A special moment was the presentation of Performance Awards by Parliamentary Secretary Ms. Rushda Lodhi to the organizers of the conference in recognition of their dedication and hard work.
Secret Behind the Success of the Conference
The resounding success of the conference was due to the visionary leadership of Dean IPH Prof Dr. Saira Afzal and the tireless efforts of her team. Under her dynamic guidance, the Institute of Public Health is emerging as a leading center for research, innovation, and international collaboration in the health sector.
Conclusion and Way Forward
At the end, Major General (R) Prof Shahla Baqai delivered a vote of thanks to all participants, speakers, organizers, and guests. The 7th International Health Research Conference 2026 concluded on a hopeful and positive note. Participants unanimously agreed that the theme was not only timely but also extremely important for building a strong and responsive health system in Pakistan.
The conference presented a clear roadmap for collaboration between academia, government, and international partners. The organizing committee expressed heartfelt gratitude to all patrons, speakers, sponsors, and participants. The compiled recommendations will be shared with the relevant ministries and regulatory bodies.