An Academic Exchange with Sindh Health Minister Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho – 11th December 2024
On 11th December 2024, an Academic Exchange with Sindh Health Minister Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho, was held at the Hyatt Regency, Manchester where we explored key mental health issues, with Dr. Azra Pechuho serving as the Chief Guest. In attendance were Prof Nasim Chaudhry, Prof Nusrat Husain, Prof Imran Chaudhry, Prof Iain Buchan, Prof Nicky Cullum, Prof. Qing-Jun Meng, Dr Siham Sikander, Dr Zamir Suhag, Dr Adeela Awan, and Dr Rakhshi Memon.
The discussions kicked off with Prof. Iain Buchan, Associate Pro Vice Chancellor for Innovation, University of Liverpool, who highlighted civic data in healthcare systems. Prof. Buchan emphasised the need to treat data as a health asset for improvement and discussed the challenges of public distrust in data, particularly in digitally deprived areas. He also talked about the role of predictive algorithms and the potential of digital tools to empower communities in self-organising and improving health outcomes.
Dr. Azra Pechuho, Sindh Health Minister, focused on the climate impact on perinatal health and how AI could be harnessed to address these challenges. Dr. Pechuho also addressed infant mortality and shared the work being done on resuscitation training to prevent neonatal and perinatal deaths in Sindh, and the importance of improving adolescent girls’ health to ensure they grow into healthier mothers.
Prof. Nusrat Husain, Director of Global Mental Health at the University of Manchester (UoM), discussed the importance of understanding social determinants of health. He shared ongoing efforts to establish a UoM research hub in Pakistan, which has already garnered interest from several universities. Prof. Husain stressed the importance of a combined approach, reaching out not only to local communities but also stakeholders including business partners, women’s health ministries, and educational institutions. He also mentioned the NIHR research delivery network that PILL has set up and the training of master’s level psychologists for task sharing in resource-limited settings.
Prof Nicky Cullum, Professor of Nursing at University of Manchester, and Director NIHR Applied Research Collaboration for Greater Manchester, continued the discussion while talking about research that makes a tangible difference particularly in the fields of technology, AI, and data. She spoke about the University’s research goals and platforms which aim to boost interdisciplinary research that benefits society and the economy. Prof. Qing-Jun Meng, Professor of Chronobiology at University of Manchester, discussed insomnia research and its connection to age-related diseases, especially in older adults. The discussion was an enriching dialogue that built on the need for integrated health solutions in both developed and developing regions.
