LAHORE – A four-member delegation from the University of Manitoba (UM), Canada, met with University of Health Sciences (UHS) Pro-Vice Chancellor Professor Nadia Naseem.
The delegation, led by Professor James Blanchard, Executive Director of UM Institute of Global Public Health (IGPH), discussed potential collaborations in areas such as training health professionals, infectious disease control, diagnostic lab services, academic support, and joint research programs.
Other members included IGPN Associate Director, Dr Faran Emmanual, Director of Finance and Administration, Ms Doris Kuzma and UM country Coordinator Dr Tahira Ezra Reza.
Professor Blanchard underscored Canada’s dedication to global public health, specifically in Pakistan.
He highlighted key areas of partnership with UHS. These include intensive training programs for public health leaders through UHS, leveraging UM’s International Diagnostic Lab to develop new diagnostics for infectious diseases in Punjab, providing technical support to academic programs at UHS, and initiating joint research ventures and degree programs.
Two pivotal areas of partnership were proposed by Professor Blanchard, focusing on technical support and capacity building, including mentorship, for district health administrative staff in Punjab.
This would specifically target data-driven decision-making, with a special emphasis on reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health (RMNCH).
The second proposal highlighted Punjab epidemic appraisal studies to better understand the transmission of infectious diseases and optimize control programs.
Expressing keen interest, Prof. Nadia Naseem emphasized the need for academic mentoring to enhance healthcare at the district level in Punjab, with a focus on evidence-based and community-driven programs. She also stressed the necessity of a proper digital data registry for research purposes and the provision of primary healthcare facilities for the urban poor.
During the meeting, Professor Naseem highlighted UHS’s key achievements in the past year, including curriculum updates, a robust examination system, enhanced clinical training, faculty development, and infrastructure upgrades.
