KARACHI: Ziauddin University’s Critical Care Research Group, in collaboration with the International Severe Acute Respiratory and Emerging Infection Consortium (ISARIC), organized the 2nd National Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) Summit 2025 titled “Awaz se Aaghaz.”
The summit focused on promoting a culture of patient and public involvement in health research across Pakistan. It brought together researchers, institutions, policymakers, and community representatives to share ideas, best practices, and strategies for making health research more inclusive and community-driven.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Baber Saeed Khan, Director of the Clinical Trials Unit at the National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS), emphasized that meaningful research must be co-created with the community. He said that involving patients as active partners rather than passive subjects helps ensure transparency, trust, and results that address real-world health needs.
Prof. Dr. Madiha Hashmi, Chair of Critical Care Medicine at Ziauddin University, said the summit’s main goal was to make the patient’s voice central to all health research in Pakistan. She added that by bridging the gap between researchers and the public, the initiative aims to build trust and create a collaborative environment where both sides can contribute equally to better health outcomes.
Prof. Dr. Nikhat Siddiqui, former Dean of Research at Ziauddin University, said the PPIE movement is helping transform how medical research is designed and conducted. She noted that lived experiences of patients can guide researchers in developing more effective and practical health solutions.
Representing the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP), Mr. Hanifullah, Deputy Director, highlighted the importance of public participation in shaping national health policies and ensuring that research remains both ethical and community-focused.
International experts Mr. Richard Stephens from the UK and Professor Phaik Yeong Cheah from the University of Oxford shared global insights on how patient and public involvement can improve health research systems.
The event concluded with a panel discussion and Q&A session on creating a national PPIE network in Pakistan, underscoring the shared commitment to patient-centered and participatory health research.
