HEC recognizes Punjab University journals 

Lahore, August 20, 2021 (PPI-OT):The Higher Education Commission of Pakistan has recognized two journals of Punjab University in Y category. In this regard, recognition has been given to Hailey College of Banking and Finance’s research journal titled “International Journal of Business Reflections” and Department of Archeology’s research journal titled “Ancient Punjab”. The HCBF journal under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Mubbsher Munawar Khan Principal and Dean Faculty of Commerce has already released its first volume. Speaking at this occasion, Prof. Dr. Mubbsher Munawar Khan appreciated the efforts of the Editorial Board especially Dr. Sammar Rahi in this regard.

He invited scholars to send their quality research work for publication in the journal which is recognized by Higher Education Commission of Pakistan. He hoped that HCBF’s Journal would soon be able to make its place in top quality journals of the world. It is also important to mention that it is the first business research journal of University of the Punjab recognized by the HEC. Dr Munawar was optimistic that the scholars conducting research in business related areas will take advantage and will submit their research work for publication in the forthcoming issues. Department of Archeology Chairman Dr Hameed said that the department was established in 2004 and this milestone had been achieved after 17 years.

For more information, contact:
Registrar,
University of the Punjab
Quaid-e-Azam Campus, Lahore, Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-99231102
Fax: +92-42-99231103
E-Mail: registrar@pu.edu.pk
Website: http://pu.edu.pk/

Brain and Mind Institute welcomes visiting neuroscientist 

Karachi, August 20, 2021 (PPI-OT):Prof Amadi Ihunwo has a fascination with the human – and animal – brain. The Visiting Scientist at AKU’s Brain and Mind Institute developed this interest after his undergraduate degree in Anatomy. While working as a graduate assistant at Nigeria’s University of Jos, a professor from Bulgaria introduced him to dissecting the human brain. From that point on, neuroscience became his life’s work.

While pursuing his PhD in Anatomy at Mbarara University of Science and Technology in Uganda, he studied the brains of mammals and birds. It started off with looking at rodent brain and to prove that new brain cells are generated in its growth process.

“Luckily for me, I had started interacting with the International Brain Research Organization and International Study for Neurochemistry, which provided support through workshops to look at how to study those areas. What started off as just looking at the rodent was boosted by the grant I had under the Swiss and South Africa general research programme,” he says.

Prof Amadi says that learning never ends. This is attributed to the fact that while the brain generates new cells at a fast rate early on in life, it declines with age but does not stop.

Here’s what Prof Amadi had to share about his latest research and the value he brings to AKU.

If the brain can generate new cells, why then do we have neurological diseases like dementia?

The ideal word to explain that is plasticity. Neuroplasticity. That means, subject to what the brain is exposed to, on its own response, it changes the generation of neurons and where we have synapses. Synapse is where the neurons meet and communicate. If you look around the mechanism around dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, there are several things. For example, in Alzheimer’s, something called a plug is deposited. When it starts being deposited, the brain tries to fight it. So, the brain will always respond. But we have to introduce the brain to an activity, for it to respond and fight against the disease.

The only problem is that we don’t usually know when this happens. It tends to take a longer time compared to if you are doing surgery. The brain doesn’t go as fast as we expect a wound from surgery to heal, it takes a longer time. That is where plasticity comes in. It keeps remoulding itself and adjusting to what has happened.

Does this tie in with your latest research?

Yes. For example, I have looked at exercise. Exercise not only helps the physical body; it is also good for the brain. One of the effects of exercise is increased blood circulation. The brain is one area that needs a lot of blood at any point in time. This is because of the high level of metabolic activity that is taking place in the brain. The interesting thing is that my area of research is now becoming relevant when looking at neurodegenerative diseases and brain injuries. Examples of neurodegenerative diseases are Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. The onset of these diseases do sometimes result in loss of brain cells, known as neurons in certain specific functioning units in the brain. The research question therefore, will then include how to intervene and create an environment for some generation or regeneration of the neurons to occur.

What led you to the Brain and Mind Institute?

First of all, my involvement in academic neuroscience societies and the activities that are undertaken. For example, the Society for Neuroscience in Africa, International Brain Research Organization, and the International Research for Neurochemistry. We are looking at scenarios where we move out of the lab and get brain matters to the public.

We needed stakeholders at university-level and also policy makers. We know that there are issues and factors that affect mental wellness and we cannot appreciate brain health, disease and wellness without engaging from the academic stand point.

In 2019 at the IBRO world conference, one of my presentations was how to engage policy makers in issues of brain wellness. I believe that the Brain and Mind Institute within a university setting, gives me an opportunity to see how to increase that engagement. You see, anything to do with the brain is always multidisciplinary. It is not just one department that can manage that. We need that collective environment where you have different role players to take this information out to the community.

Would you then say some of the key issues BMI will address in Africa will have to do with policy?

The Brain and Mind Institute must be prepared to engage policy makers, to get out of the university environment and reach out to the community. I always say, the mental wellness of the people is very important. And we need to play a role in that area.

How would you define neuroscience in a simple way?

The word behaviour comes in. Our behaviours are influenced by different environmental exposure. We may not be able to see our brain, but we need to know that it’s there and it is part of our body. We need to start asking questions on how the brain works. The brain plays a big role in dictating our movement, moods, decisions, actions, and so much more.

Neuroscience creates that opportunity to understand how the brain works, which in turn influences how we behave. The way the brain works is that the more you engage it with activity, the more the brain responds to you.

What’s the difference between the brain and the mind, if any?

I will give an example. If you want to move your hand, there is a part of the brain that controls the movement of your hand in the cerebral. If you decide to walk, if you decide to play an instrument, the cerebellum will have to get it.

There is also the part of the brain that is made up of what we call, circuits. This is the part of the brain that deals with behaviours, emotions and so on. This is what people will relate with as the mind component. It is called the limbic system. It is a system within the nervous system.

What is one thing people do not know about you?

I like travelling and I love flying. I had a brief one-year engagement with the Nigerian Air Force as a cadet. My third year in my undergraduate training, was sponsored by the Nigerian government. I’d be privileged to fly an air force jet and so I am always excited when I fly.

I had a friend who was a helicopter pilot and one who was a jet fighter pilot. I had to fly with them and in my third year during holidays, when I was expected to report at the air force base for training, they would fly me back to the campus.

Neuroscience turned out to be a natural fit for you. If you were to choose a different profession, what would it be?

I would go into aviation. I would be a pilot.

For more information, contact:
Media Executive
Department of Public Affairs
Aga Khan University (AKU)
Stadium Road, Karachi
Tel: +92-21-34930051
Fax: +92-21-34934294, +92-21-34932095
Cell: +92-301-8258028
Email: rasool.sarang@aku.edu, public.affairs@aku.edu​
Website: www.aku.edu

Punjab University Institute of Applied Psychology organized a webinar entitled “Women Mental Health; Clinical Issues” 

Lahore, August 20, 2021 (PPI-OT):Institute of Applied Psychology organized a webinar entitled “Women Mental Health; Clinical Issues” as part of the series of webinars organized for creating mental health awareness in wake of the Independence Day Celebrations, 2021. The webinar was chaired by Prof. Dr. Rafia Rafique, Director Institute of Applied Psychology. The resource person for the webinar was Prof. Dr. Imtiaz Dogar, President Pakistan psychiatric society, Chairman Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences, Faisalabad Medical University. Dr. Imtiaz Dogar also provides psychiatric services at DHQ and Allied Hospitals Faisalabad.

Dr. Imtiaz started off by sharing how men and women differ when it comes to mental health struggles and narrow it down to the women-specific mental health issues and disorders. He comprehensively discussed the women-specific mental disorders, their causal factors, preventive measures and therapeutic plan for them. Furthermore he discussed the sociocultural factors that were playing a role in worsening the mental health of the women. The curx of the webinar was that timely action regarding preservation of mental health of women is essential for a healthy family and a healthy society. The webinar was moderated by Ms. Zunera Tariq and was live-streamed through IAP Facebook and was attended by clinical and health psychology students of IAP.

For more information, contact:
Registrar,
University of the Punjab
Quaid-e-Azam Campus, Lahore, Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-99231102
Fax: +92-42-99231103
E-Mail: registrar@pu.edu.pk
Website: http://pu.edu.pk/

Making primary care accessible: Dr. Hiba Ashraf 

Karachi, August 20, 2021 (PPI-OT):“I came into this field to help every person in need, without discrimination. I did not just want to treat my patients, but also guide them based on their medical needs.” Having spent over 17 years associated with the field of primary care, Dr. Hiba Ashraf’s passion for helping others has only intensified with time. She has always been concerned with enabling the people of Pakistan to access quality healthcare, regardless of their age, gender, economic standing, or geographic location. During her time at The Indus Hospital, Korangi Campus, she has brought major reforms to the field of healthcare in Pakistan.

Her Motivation

A major pull to the field of primary care was the emphasis on its continuity. Rather than a standalone interaction, continuity of care considers healthcare to be a process that develops over time. Dr. Hiba always knew that she wanted to provide comprehensive treatment in whatever field she chose. She desired to enter the communities of her patients and bring healthcare to their doorstep. The area of primary care perfectly encapsulated those aspirations. Another factor that attracted her was that it was holistic and unbiased with whom it catered. Furthermore, it provided medical assistance to people of all ages, genders, and socio-economic classes. Dr. Hiba’s sincerest wish was to help all those around her.

Dr. Hiba has highlighted the major problems in primary healthcare provision in Pakistan. Although Pakistan has sufficient infrastructure relating to primary healthcare systems, there is a fragmentation in the provision of care. Moreover, there is a lack of referral linkages between primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare facilities. Most budgets focus on tertiary care, nearly forgoing primary care altogether. Research has shown that developed countries with high Health Outcome Indicators have robust primary healthcare systems. This led to Dr. Hiba making it her mission to amend and transform the landscape of primary care provision in Pakistan.

Her work with the IHHN

She joined The Indus Hospital, Korangi Campus as a Junior Consultant. Her objectives of making indiscriminate healthcare accessible to all perfectly aligned with Indus Hospital and Health Network’s (IHHN) vision of “quality healthcare, free-of-cost.” Dr. Hiba’s expertise and endless compassion for her patients helped her rise quickly through the ranks at the hospital. She was soon promoted to the Director of the Residency Program before being promoted to the Head of Department of Family Medicine. She has now advanced to the Director of the Primary Care Program at Indus Hospital and Health Network. Her responsibilities include strategic planning, monitoring, evaluating, and developing the network of primary healthcare sites throughout all IHHN centers across Pakistan. Dr. Hiba furtively believes that standardization of facilities is crucial and works to ensure that the same quality that is offered in Karachi is maintained at Badin, Tharparkar, and all IHHN sites.

Dr. Hiba has used her platform at IHHN to achieve her vision of a more integrated primary care system in Pakistan. She developed a model based on the Hub and Spoke model and implemented it across the 26 Indus Hospital and Health Network sites. The hospitals acted as hubs and the independent facilities as spokes. For the successful execution of the model, Dr. Hiba established sturdier referral linkages between primary, secondary, and tertiary institutions, integrating these services more deeply. Her efforts were rewarded, as she managed to help over a million patients with her primary healthcare model over one year.

Her Accomplishments

In a society where women are largely not offered the same opportunities as men, Dr. Hiba is proud to lead a primarily female-dominated team. Under her tutelage, the team provides innovative solutions to complex problems. As a result, they generated plans for a container clinic, Pakistan’s first-ever mobile Boat Clinic, and other creative ideas to reach people across Pakistan. These helped facilitate healthcare provision to areas that had not received quality medical attention in over 70 years. From the southernmost city of Karachi to Kashmir in the high north, Dr. Hiba and her team are determined to make primary care accessible at every doorstep.

For more information, contact
The Indus Hospital (TIH)
C-76, Sector 31/5, Opposite Darussalam Society,
Korangi Crossing, Karachi – 75190, Pakistan
Tel: +92-21-35112709-17
Fax: +92-21-35112718
Email: crd@indushospital.org.pk
Website: http://www.indushospital.org.pk/

Press Briefing By Pakistan Olympic Association 

Lahore, August 20, 2021 (PPI-OT):Pakistan Olympic Association will be holding a media briefing on 23rd August, 2021 at 1630 hours at Lahore. We will share a registration link for the virtual briefing via Zoom platform shortly.

For more information, contact:
Pakistan Olympic Association
Olympic House, 2-Hameed Nizami (Temple) Road,
Lahore, Pakistan
Postal Code: 54000
Phone: +92-42-36280002, +92-42-36373753
Email: info@nocpakistan.org
Website: https://nocpakistan.org/