Public Health in a Changing World

The 5^th International Public Health Conference, held under the patronage of Meritorious Prof. Dr Zia Ul Haq (PI of EMPOWER-D) and organised by Dr Khalid Rehman (Theme Lead of the EMPOWER-D Research Project), was a comprehensive event featuring pre-conference workshops, plenary sessions, and research competitions.

Pre-Conference Workshops

The first day of pre-conference workshops covered essential topics such as Good Clinical Practice (GCP), Basic Life Support (BLS), R Programming for Health Data Analysis, Mindful Action Behavioural Activation Techniques, learn ECG in one day, and Qualitative Research from Design to Implementation (facilitated by Dr Maria Ishaq Khattak).

The second day included workshops on Systematic Reviews, Advanced SPSS Analysis, Scientific Writing, AI in Instrument Development, Write Smarter, Cite Faster: A Hands-on Workshop on Mendeley (led by Dr Farhad Khattak) and Stata for Health Research, led by Dr Sheraz Fazid. Dr Maria, Dr Farhad and Dr Sheraz are all valued members of the EMPOWER-D project, in the Diabetes Research Theme of the Centre for IMPACT, and committed to the Capacity Building ethos of the Centre.

Academic Highlights: Oral Presentations and 3MT Competition

As part of the event’s academic activities, 25 participants delivered oral presentations, showcasing a wide range of research and innovative ideas. Among the presenters were Ali Hussaini and Dr Noor Sanauddin from the IMPACT Project, who shared their insightful work with the audience.

Following the oral presentations, a Three-Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition was held, featuring PhD scholars from Centre for IMPACT. Notable participants included Fatima Jamal, Dr Rubab, Dr Umer, and Dr Atta Ullah.

Conference Highlights – 9th-10th April 2025

The conference officially opened on 9th April 2025, with a welcome address by Prof. Zia Ul Haq, followed by an introductory speech by Dr Khalid Rehman. A series of insightful plenary sessions were held, starting with a session on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), in which Prof. Dr Zia Ul Haq delivered a talk on lifestyle medicine and Dr Saima Afaq from the University of York presented on integrated care models for diabetes, depression, and tuberculosis in Pakistan. The second plenary session focused on Climate Change and Health, and Dr Maria Ishaq Khattak shared her research on climate resilience among informal workers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Approximately 35 participants took part in a poster presentation session, where Gul Ghutai and Sana Rehman (EMPOWER-D Research Assistants) presented their poster on the barriers and facilitators of diabetes interventions in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Plenary Sessions

The conference continued with three parallel plenary sessions on Strengthening Primary Healthcare Through a Family Practice Approach – exploring strategies to enhance community-based care; Dental Public Health – addressing oral health challenges and preventive measures in low-resource settings; and Integrated Nutrition Programs and Their Impact in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) – highlighting policy interventions and their outcomes in maternal and child nutrition.

On the second day, 10th April 2025, two plenary sessions took place on Communicable Diseases – discussing emerging infectious threats and effective control strategies, and Mental Health – covering psychosocial interventions and strategies to reduce stigma.

The conference concluded with a closing ceremony and prize distribution, presided over by Prof. Dr Zia Ul Haq, who recognised outstanding contributions and awarded the winners. Notably, Fatima Jamal secured 1st place in the 3MT competition.

The event also welcomed international participants, including Wafa Kammoun and Dr Sayed Murtaza S. Hofiani (Deputy Afghanistan Lead for Centre for IMPACT ), reinforcing the importance of global collaboration in public health.

Awards of Appreciation

Dr Khalid Rehman was honoured with a shield of appreciation for his outstanding role as the chief organiser of the conference. His leadership, dedication, and hard work were key to the successful planning and smooth execution of the event, which served as an important platform for knowledge sharing and skill development in public health. The award was presented to him by the Vice Chancellor of Khyber Medical University (KMU), Prof. Dr Zia Ul Haq. Shields of Appreciation were also awarded to Dr Saima Afaq (in recognition of her outstanding contributions and dedication), Dr Maria Ishaq Khattak, and Gul Ghutai.

Gul Ghutai played an important role in organising the conference. She designed all the materials, including banners, panaflexes, and social media posts, and made sure everything went smoothly. Thanks to her efforts, the event was a success in sharing knowledge and building skills in public health.

The conference concluded on a positive and memorable note. As the event came to an end, the entire team gathered for a group photo, capturing the spirit of teamwork and celebration. The session was officially closed with warm words of appreciation and encouragement, acknowledging the dedication and efforts of everyone involved. The conference was praised for providing a valuable platform for knowledge exchange, collaboration, and professional development in the field of public health.

Story submitted by Gul Ghutai.