PPIE

On November 7, 2024, the University of Manchester proudly hosted Burns Week, a groundbreaking event dedicated to raising vital awareness about burn injuries, their prevalence and the stark health inequalities that persist. This year's celebration placed a special emphasis on the critical issue of mental health disparities, sparking essential discussions and inspiring collaborative action.Renowned Experts Illuminate the Path Forward

The event had an impressive lineup of distinguished speakers, including Professor Nusrat Husain and Dr. Maria Panagioti. Professor Husain delivered a powerful keynote address, shedding light on the pressing issue of health inequalities in the UK, with a particular focus on mental health disparities. His thought-provoking presentation underscored the profound challenges faced by marginalised and vulnerable communities in accessing equitable mental health care, emphasising the urgent need for systemic transformation to bridge these gaps and ensure mental wellbeing for all.

Dr. Munazza Obaid gave insightful talk on the prevention and management of burns, and Ms. Sehrish Tofique presented key findings from the BURNS Qualitative work package, shedding light on the lived experiences of burn survivors. Participants also shared their lived experience of burn injury, bereavement and care. This important event served as a vital opportunity to raise awareness, foster collaboration, and drive action for improved burn prevention and recovery worldwide. Together, we can make a difference!

Advancements in Burn Care and Research Take Center Stage

Dr. Maria Panagioti's insightful presentation highlighted the alarming prevalence of burn injuries, while also showcasing the remarkable progress made in treatment protocols and research-driven advancements. Her talk emphasised the critical importance of public awareness regarding burn prevention and care, as well as the need for research-informed policies to enhance outcomes for burn survivors. Dr. Panagioti's expertise ignited a sense of hope and determination among attendees, inspiring collective efforts to address the complex challenges surrounding burn injuries and mental health disparities.

A Beacon of Hope: The University of Manchester's Ongoing Commitment

The Burns Week celebration served as a powerful testament to the University of Manchester's unwavering dedication to fostering dialogue, promoting awareness, and driving research to combat burn-related health issues and mental health inequalities. As a beacon of hope, the University remains resolute in its pursuit of improving public health outcomes, championing the rights of marginalised communities, and advancing the frontiers of medical research and care.

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.

The Pakistan Institute of living and Learning (PILL), in collaboration with the National Centre for Research on Suicide Prevention (NCRSP), Fatima Jinnah Women University, Ziauddin hospital, and the University of Manchester, successfully hosted the 2nd Annual Global Conference titled “BREAKING THE SILENCE: Addressing Suicide Risk and Prevention in Vulnerable Groups” on December 3, 2024, in Pakistan.

This hybrid event, attended both in person and online, brought together 100 participants from across the globe, including the UK, India, Nepal, Australia, and the USA. The conference served as a platform for educators ,Mental health experts, researchers and students to exchange innovative strategies and research findings in the field of suicide prevention.

Distinguished academics and thought leaders, including Prof. Bushra Mirza (Vice Chancellor), Prof. Nasim Chaudhry, Prof. Imran B. Chaudhary, Prof. Sarwat Rasul, Prof. Zainab Zadeh, Prof. Erminia Colucci, Dr. Rishav Koriala, Dr. Kamal Gautam, Dr. Humera Hussain, and Dr. Dung Jidiong, Dr Alana Mckey shared their invaluable insights.

The conference highlighted the importance of collaborative efforts, mental health policy development, and the creation of accessible mental health resources to address suicide risk among vulnerable populations.