Lahore: The Institute of Public Health (IPH), Lahore has signed an agreement with the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA, to establish an important educational and research partnership aimed at strengthening public health education, research, innovation and international cooperation.
Speaking on the occasion on Saturday, Secretary Health Punjab Azmat Mahmood said the IPH had achieved significant milestones in line with the Punjab government’s vision. He congratulated Dean IPH Professor Saira Afzal and her team for establishing the partnership with one of the world’s leading medical institutions.
The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai has a prominent position in medical education, biomedical research and innovation. The partnership reflects a shared commitment to addressing current and emerging public health challenges through high-quality education, research and global collaboration.
Under the agreement, the two institutions will explore joint educational, scientific and research programmes, faculty, researcher and student exchange programmes, professional development initiatives, management and leadership training, workforce capacity building, technology transfer, innovation and knowledge-sharing programmes.
The partnership will also facilitate joint research in areas including infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases, digital health, precision medicine and health system strengthening. Cooperation will further cover disaster public health management, including preparedness, emergency response, health system resilience and recovery.
Azmat Mahmood said global mental health screening programmes would also help ensure timely diagnosis of mental health problems, promote community-level interventions and support the development of evidence-based mental health policies.
He said joint workshops, international conferences, certificate courses and capacity-building programmes would further strengthen the practical and research dimensions of public health.
The Secretary Health said the IPH, with its distinguished academic and research legacy spanning more than a century, was committed to developing meaningful international partnerships to translate scientific knowledge into healthier communities, stronger health systems and sustainable development.
He said the collaboration with Mount Sinai represented a significant step towards establishing Pakistan as a regional centre of excellence in public health education, research, innovation, disaster preparedness and global health leadership.
The partnership, he added, would provide valuable opportunities for faculty members, researchers, students and public health professionals to work with internationally renowned experts and contribute to addressing critical global health priorities.
Professor Saira Afzal said the IPH would continue efforts to promote high-impact research, strengthen institutional capacity, advance innovation and improve health services for communities in Pakistan and around the world.
She said the collaboration would help stimulate innovation, advance scientific excellence, strengthen resilience and capacity, and contribute to shaping the future of public health through cross-border cooperation.
