Indus Vitals

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 burn...

IV Report KARACHI: Jinnah Sindh Medical University (JSMU), Karachi, awarded degrees to 505 bachelor's and master's graduates from different programmes, including those belonging to the very first batch of the Doctors of Physiotherapy (DPT) programme of the university, at its sixth convocation held at a city hotel on December 18. This milestone brought the total number of outgoing students since the university's inception to 3,000. Starting with Sindh Medical College, which was upgraded to the status of a university in 2012, JSMU encompasses over a dozen institutions, with an enrolment of about 6,000 students.  The convocation celebrated the accomplishments of graduates of the classes of 2023-24 from MBBS (281 graduates), BDS (53), Pharm D (94), BSN (33), BBA-Hons (4), BBA HCM (3), and BS Public Health (9), MS Public Health (11) and others. JSMU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Amjad Siraj Memon, along with Registrar Dr M Azam Khan and senior deans, awarded medals and honors to out...

IV Report KARACHI: The Association of Physicians of Pakistani-Descent of North America (Appna) is set to establish two advanced medical facilities at Jinnah Sindh Medical University (JSMU) and Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS) in Karachi, thanks to a substantial donation of US$300,000 (Pak Rs 81 million) it arranged. The donation will be used to establish a genetic molecular laboratory at JSMU and a department of artificial intelligence and emerging technology at DUHS. Appna leaders, including President Dr Asif Mohiuddin and Secretary Dr Rizwan Naeem, shared details of the donation at a press conference on December 18. The Appna Board has approved $200,000 for the development of an advanced technology institute at DUHS. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed, and a plaque was unveiled at DUHS to mark the occasion. According to DUHS, the university and Appna have begun coordinating to establish the Dow-Appna Centre for Emerging Technologies (DACET). This initiati...

IV Report                              KARACHI: World Heart Day (WHD) 2024 celebrations concluded on September 29 with a flurry of activities highlighting cardiovascular disease prevention and promoting healthy lifestyles under the theme "Use heart for action." The Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) organised a "World Heart Day Ride" on September 29, led by Dr Saulat Fatimi, Head of Cardiothoracic Surgery. In collaboration with Docs on Wheels, the event drew 600 cyclists, including students, doctors, nurses, hospital leadership, and civil society members. The ride aimed to raise heart health awareness, covering a route from Karsaz Road to Shahrah-e-Faisal, Drigh Road, and back to the AKU campus. Dr Fatimi emphasised, "Around half of people with heart diseases are diagnosed after death. Our goal is to create awareness about heart care and regular checkups through events like mini-marathons and cycling."  ...