Public Health in Pakistan - challenges and ambitions

When: Wednesday, January 26, 2022, 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Where: Virtual event, online

Queen Mary University of London is actively involved in public health collaborations in Pakistan, particularly in the mental health arena.

At this event, a panel of experts offered their insights on public health challenges facing Pakistan and the wider region.

Moderated by Professor Irene Leigh, cancer researcher at Queen Mary University of London's Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, the panel included:

Dr Arjanne Rietsema
Health Specialist, UNICEF Regional Office for South Asia

Mr Aziz Memon
Trustee, The Rotary Foundation (2020-24), Pakistan National Polio Plus Committee Chairman, Chairman of the Kings Group of Companies

Professor Colin Grant
Vice Principal (International), Queen Mary University of London

Professor Dr Uzma Hassan
Professor & Head of Department Public Health, NUMS Institute of Advance Studies and Research (NIASR), National University of Medical Sciences, Rawalpindi

Professor Fiona Walter
Professor of Primary Care Cancer Research and Director of Wolfson Institute of Population Health, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London

Professor Victoria Bird
Professor of Mental Health Care, Acting Head of Unit for Social and Community Psychiatry, Deputy Centre Lead - Centre for Psychiatry and Mental Health, Wolfson Institute for Population Health, Queen Mary University of London

Professor Ranjit Manchanda
Professor of Gynaecological Oncology and Consultant Gynaecological Oncologist
Wolfson Institute of Population Health, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London

The panel considered public health challenges and inequality in Pakistan as well as around Queen Mary's campuses in East London, including the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and its effect on public health.

The event also discussed Queen Mary's work on mental health in Pakistan, how to engage with mental health challenges such as the long-term trauma caused by the coronavirus pandemic and the impact of non-communicable diseases, nutrition and cardiovascular disease on public health outcomes.

Watch the event