JSMU launches wellness centre

Signs campus mental health pledge on Wellness Day

IV Report

KARACHI: Jinnah Sindh Medical University (JSMU) marked the first International Wellness Day 2026 on April 27 by announcing the establishment of a Health and Wellness Centre and launching a university-wide Wellness Pledge aimed at addressing stress and burnout among students and faculty.

The initiative was led by Dr M Iqbal Afridi in collaboration with the Internal Medicine Interest Group of Sindh Medical College-JSMU under the theme, “Integrating joy and sustainable health practices into daily life.”

The United Nations had declared April 15 as International Wellness Day on March 10 this year. Introducing the resolution, Nepal’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Lok Bahadur Thapa, said the world was facing mounting health challenges and stressed the need for stronger, more resilient health systems.

Speaking at the JSMU event, Dr Afridi said stress had become normalised in the fast-paced world of medicine, while burnout and exhaustion were often silently endured. He said around 43 per cent of university students in Pakistan showed depressive symptoms, underscoring the need for practical coping strategies for future doctors.

He added that psychiatrists and psychologists from Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre would hold dedicated confidential clinics for JSMU students and faculty.

Dr Yasmeen Khan conducted an interactive session on mindfulness and breathing techniques, while Dr Muhammad Khan demonstrated physical exercises designed to reduce stress. Speakers noted that many mental health disorders begin before the age of 24, placing university students in a particularly vulnerable group.

Vice Chancellor Prof Amjad Siraj Memon said the new centre would provide direct on-campus psychiatric and psychological support for students and staff so that no one suffered in silence.

The event was attended by senior university officials, faculty members and representatives of the Higher Education Commission. Officials said the initiative could serve as a model for other medical universities in the country.

With the Wellness Pledge now institutionalised and the new centre awaiting its inaugural clinic, JSMU has set a national precedent for prioritising mental health in medical universities, said a press release.

Photo source: JSMU

With an uninterrupted 23-year career in daily journalism (1991-2013), the author/editor of this blog currently serves as Editor of Social Track, a weekly newspaper focused on social sectors, based in Karachi. Holding a master's degree in Mass Communications from the University of Karachi (1990), his professional experience includes roles as senior reporter at Daily Dawn, Karachi (May 2001-August 2013) and Chief Reporter at The News International, Karachi (April 1991-May 2001). He has a strong background in development journalism, he has an extensive portfolio of news stories, analytical reports and features covering a wide range of sectors. He has had the privilege of covering numerous high-profile figures, including Pakistani presidents, prime ministers, army chiefs, foreign dignitaries, and VVIPs and attending conferences and workshops abroad. He began his journalism career in the early 1980s. Throughout his career, he has received several national awards from government and private organisations. He has contributed to various radio and TV/channel broadcasts and has also served as a trainer at workshops in Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad, focused on training journalists.

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