ISLAMABAD: Federal Secretary Health, Iftikhar Shallwani on Saturday inaugurated a two-day National Health Research Conference in Islamabad, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing health research to advance the healthcare sector.
He stressed the significance of informed, evidence-based decision-making in addressing the challenges faced in providing healthcare to the masses. Shallwani addressed a gathering of top health research experts and public health leaders nationwide.
This two-day conference, scheduled for September 9th and 10th, has been jointly organized by the National Institute of Health, the Higher Education Commission, the Pakistan Academy of Sciences, and the Pakistan Science Foundation.
Dr. Zulfiqar Bhutta, a prominent figure in public health and Chairman of the Board of Governors at the National Institute of Health (NIH), delivered a keynote address advocating for the prioritization of health research.
According to a press statement, the conference aims to foster collaboration and networking among funding agencies, researchers, policymakers, and other stakeholders. It also serves as a platform for research funding agencies to share their experiences and findings.
It noted the conference presents a unique opportunity for researchers, healthcare professionals, academics, and policymakers to come together, exchange knowledge, discuss the latest trends in health research, and explore potential new ideas and collaborations.
The conference agenda covers various topics, including contextualizing and prioritizing health research, emerging research areas, pharmaceutical research, drug development, and more.
One of the key outcomes of the conference will be the formulation of the draft Islamabad Declaration, which will outline priorities for health research and capacity strengthening in Pakistan.
