Shalamar Institute of Health Sciences

2nd Shalamar IRC RCOG Summit 2025

Building on the triumph of our inaugural summit, we are proud to continue the legacy of excellence. The 1st Shalamar IRC RCOG Summit set a benchmark for impactful discussions, fruitful collaborations, and knowledge exchange. As we embark on the 2nd edition, we are committed to surpassing previous achievements and fostering an even more enriching experience. Join us for the 2nd Shalamar IRC RCOG Summit, happening from January January 14th to 16th, 2025, Spearheaded by the esteemed Prof. Dr. Nazli Hameed, this summit promises an exceptional platform for participants to engage with international subspecialist experts, fostering invaluable networking and collaboration opportunities. Thematic Focus: Embark on a journey through cutting-edge themes across three insightful days: Day 1: Urogynaecology & Minimal Access Surgery Delve into the latest advancements and techniques in urogynaecology and minimal access surgery, gaining insights from leading practitioners in the field. Day 2: Reproductive Medicine & Gynae-Oncology Explore breakthroughs in reproductive medicine and maternal medicine, uncovering strategies to enhance patient care and outcomes. Day 3: Fetal Medicine, Maternal Medicine & Artificial Intelligence Navigate through the realms of fetal medicine and gynae-oncology, discovering innovative approaches to diagnosis, treatment, and care. Call for Abstract Submission: We invite Scholars, Researchers, and Practitioners to contribute abstracts aligning with the summit’s themes. The deadline for abstract submission is September 30th, 2024. Seize this opportunity to showcase your work and contribute to the discourse shaping the future of women’s health. Guest of Honour: Ranee Thakar (President RCOG) Kate Lancaster (CEO RCOG) Awards for Papers & Posters: 1st Prize: Gold Medal 2nd Prize: Silver Medal 3rd Prize: Bronze Medal Pre-Conference Workshop: Topic: Safe Clinical Practices (Human Factors & PPH Bundle) Date: January 13th, 2025 Time: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM Registration Fee Early Bird Registration By 30-9-2024 Foreign Consultants $50 Pakistani Consultants PKR 15,000 Residents/Trainees PKR 5000 Regular Registration Foreign Consultants $65 Pakistani Consultants PKR 20,000 Residents/Trainees PKR 7,500 On- Site registration Foreign Consultants $75 Pakistani Consultants PKR 25,000 Residents/Trainees PKR 10,000 For Abstract Submission: Kindly Contact [Dr. Rabia Mushtaq WhatsApp 0044-7523862202 Email dr.rabiaamer@gmail.com] For Inquiries Kindly Contact: [Dr. Areefa Khan 0092 322-7050983, Email: areefakhan14@gmail.com ] [Dr. Sania Imran 0092 331-4627666, Email: saniaimran123@gmail.com ]

Shalamar Breast Center Inauguration

Shalamar Hospital is proud to announce the launch of its state-of-the-art Breast Center, a flagship clinic of the Women’s Health Center.U.S. Consul General Lahore, Kristin Hawkins participated in the inauguration of the center, which will provide comprehensive breast cancer care to women in Pakistan. The Center is a one-stop service for all breast cancer related issues for women, including advanced screenings, diagnostic evaluations, and personalized care plans. This center will be linked to health services for women at Shalamar and support the one-stop care delivery model. The launch of the center marks the beginning of breast cancer awareness month and demonstrates Shalamar’s commitment to the treatment of this illness.   The US Consul General Lahore, Kristin K. Hawkins inaugurated the Shalamar Hospital Breast Centre today. This newly established center will provide comprehensive breast cancer care to women in Pakistan, including screening, diagnosis, treatment, and support.At the ceremony, Consul General Hawkins stressed the importance of early detection and treatment of breast cancer. Ms. Hawkins also noted that U.S. and Pakistani doctors have participated in exchanges, sharing medical expertise to strengthen both our health care systems.Mr. Shahid Hussain, Chairman of Businessmen Hospital, also spoke at the ceremony. He highlighted the hospital’s efforts to build a Women’s Health center to provide affordable health care to all women, regardless of their socioeconomic status.

Shalamar Hospital Marks World Patient Safety Day

Shalamar Hospital celebrated World Patient Safety Day on September 17th with a seminar dedicated to enhancing patient safety and awareness. This annual event aims to underscore the importance of patient safety and promote initiatives that contribute to better healthcare outcomes. The seminar featured distinguished speakers who shared their insights on various aspects of patient safety, emphasizing the hospital’s dedication to ensuring the well-being of its patients.Chairman of Surgery, Dr. Talat Waseem, delivered a compelling address on the theme of “Ensuring Safe Surgery.” His talk shed light on the meticulous measures taken by Shalamar Hospital to guarantee the safety of surgical procedures, with a focus on reducing risks and complications. Prof. Dr. Mujeeb Abid Butt addressed the audience on the critical topic of “Patient Engagement in Shalamar Hospital and the Goal to Improve Effective Communication.Dr. Maryum Tarrar, an expert in infection prevention and control (IPC), including hand hygiene, emphasized the significance of integrating patient safety priorities within the hospital. Her presentation underscored the hospital’s unwavering dedication to maintaining the highest standards of infection prevention, with a particular focus on hand hygiene practices.The seminar at Shalamar Hospital was a resounding success, bringing together healthcare professionals, patients, and stakeholders to reaffirm their collective commitment to patient safety.

Shalamar’s Urogynecology Certification Event

In a momentous occurrence on August 11, 2023, we take immense pride in unveiling the Urogynecology and Pelvic Floor Reconstructions Certification event, realized through a collaborative endeavor with the esteemed University of Schleswig Holstein Kiel, Germany. Igniting Zeal for Women’s Health Within the precincts of Shalamar Hospital, an ambiance ablaze with fervor for women’s health prevailed. Avid participants engaged in dynamic lectures and immersive hands-on workshops, thereby cultivating profound proficiency within the realm of urogynecology. Cultivating Expertise through Empowerment This event, distinguished by its spirited platform, unfurled a panorama of possibilities. Accomplished speakers expounded upon intricate facets of urogynecological sciences, complemented by practical workshops that furnished experiential learning. Attendees assimilated avant-garde insights, poised to engender a transformative influence on the well-being of women. Forging Bonds, Envisioning the Future Beyond the acquisition of erudition, meaningful connections were forged. A cohort of akin professionals coalesced, propelled by a collective commitment to elevate the status of women’s health on a global scale. Equipped with newfound knowledge, participants are now primed to manifest as adept urogynecology specialists, heralding a salubrious tomorrow for women universally. We invite you to be part of this commemorative juncture, epitomizing unwavering dedication and innovative spirit. As a united force, we inscribe a legacy defined by elevated women’s well-being.

AO Trauma Course – Advanced Principles of Fracture Management

The Department of Orthopedic Surgery at SMDC proudly concluded a remarkable event that has left an indelible mark on the world of traumatology – the “AO Trauma Course – Advanced Principles of Fracture Management.” From August 12th-14th, 2023, participants embarked on a transformative journey filled with cutting-edge insights, immersive workshops, and international expertise that has propelled the field forward. Distinguished international faculty members, including Prof. Stephan Nijs, Prof. Ghassan Amman, and Prof. Asharaf Moharam, graced the event with their wisdom and insights, elevating the experience to new heights. Their presence was a testament to the caliber of this gathering, making it an exceptional and enriching affair. The three-day extravaganza featured a dynamic range of interactive lectures, hands-on AO Skills lab sessions, and engaging small group discussions. These components were the heartbeat of the event, empowering each participant to master the latest operative techniques in traumatology. A special acknowledgment goes to AO Foundation Davos for their generous sponsorship of synthetic bones, which brought an unparalleled hands-on dimension to the learning process. The event’s success was undeniably bolstered by the active participation of senior orthopedic trainees and junior consultants. Their unwavering enthusiasm and dedication added an infectious energy that resonated throughout the event, making it an unforgettable success story. Reflecting on the past three days prompts us to acknowledge the remarkable legacy that the AO Foundation, Switzerland, has cultivated over two decades. Their commitment to setting the gold standard for fracture management education worldwide has culminated in events like these, where professionals come together to refine their skills and broaden their horizons. As we close this chapter, gratitude is extended to every individual who played a part in making this event extraordinary. From faculty and participants to sponsors and organizers, each contribution has left an indelible mark. Together, we’re rewriting the narrative of fracture management, ushering in a future where innovation and collaboration are paramount. The event’s conclusion marks the beginning of an exciting countdown to our next adventure. The future of orthopedics glimmers with promise as we carry forward the knowledge and skills we’ve acquired, driven by the shared goal of redefining fracture management on a global scale. Stay connected for updates and continued innovation as we journey toward the next milestone in orthopedic excellence. The story is just beginning.

SBA School and UNSW Receive Grant for Advancing Equitable AI with Shalamar Hospital

The SBA School of Science and Engineering at LUMS, in partnership with the University of New South Wales with Shalamar Hospital, Receives Grand Challenges Grant For Catalyzing Equitable Artificial Intelligence (AI) Use Dr Maryam Mustafa (Principal Investigator) and Dr Hassan Mohy Ud Din (Project Co-PI), Assistant Professors at SBASSE, are part of a collaborative project that has been awarded a Grand Challenges grant – an initiative fostering innovation to solve pressing global health and development problems and funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Dr Maryam and Dr Hassan, alongside Dr Beena Ahmad (Co-PI), Associate Professor at the University of New South Wales and Dr Fozia Umber Qureshi (Co-PI), Head of the Gynecology Department at Shalamar Hospital, will pursue an innovative global health and development research project focused on Catalyzing Equitable Artificial Intelligence (AI) Use, titled “Awaaz-e-Sehat: Empowering Maternal Healthcare with Voice-Enabled Electronic Record Management”. When harnessed equitably and responsibly, AI has incredible potential to help solve some of the world’s toughest challenges and reduce global inequity. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation supports AI research in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) to help ensure that AI technology is tailored to local health, education, agriculture and other contexts and designed with the needs of the world’s most vulnerable at the centre. The project led by Drs Maryam, Hassan, Beena and Fozia aims to address the significant maternal health challenges faced in Pakistan, where poor pregnancy outcomes and high maternal mortality rates persist. The main issues include a lack of awareness about maternal health signs, delayed emergency care, and inadequate medical records. To improve this situation, the project proposes the development of “Awaaz-e-Sehat,” a voice-enabled, mobile phone-based AI assistant for maternal healthcare workers (MHCWs) in Pakistan. This innovative solution harnesses advancements in speech recognition (ASR) and large language models (LLM). Awaaz-e-Sehat will create comprehensive electronic medical records (EMRs) by leveraging voice input in local languages, particularly Urdu. This AI tool intends to assist maternal healthcare workers (MHCWs) by quickly generating detailed case histories, offering patient risk stratification based on health and socio-economic factors, explaining colloquial terms related to maternal health, providing educational resources, and facilitating the collection of vital health data. The system will involve an intuitive user interface, speech recognition, and text generation modules. Leveraging expertise in (ASR) from the University of New South Wales, the project will be developed at LUMS using a participatory design approach in collaboration with maternal healthcare workers at Shalamar Hospital. As one of Punjab’s largest non-profit hospitals, serving a diverse range of patients, Shalamar Hospital is an ideal testing ground for piloting Awaaz-e-Sehat. This diversity ensures a comprehensive dataset, accelerating the AI tool’s training and enabling future scalability to benefit marginalised communities. The project aims to establish an effective electronic medical record-keeping framework, facilitating equitable healthcare access nationwide. Awaaz-e-Sehat is one of nearly 50 Grand Challenges Catalyzing Equitable Artificial Intelligence (AI) Use grants announced by the Gates Foundation to support LMICs in harnessing AI’s power for good and to solve the urgent need for LMIC participation in the co-creation process of this technology as it rapidly evolves. The project’s findings will contribute to building an evidence base for testing AI large language models (LLMs) that can fill wide gaps in access and equitable use of these tools. Each of these grants represents an opportunity to solve or mitigate a real challenge experienced by communities, researchers and/or governments in low- and middle-income countries. To receive funding, Dr Maryam Mustafa’s team and other Grand Challenges winners submitted their concepts which outlined their bold idea in response to the Catalyzing Equitable Artificial Intelligence (AI) Use request for proposals. More than 1,300 proposals were submitted from around the world. About Grand Challenges Grand Challenges stem from the idea from over a century ago that crowdsourcing a defined set of unsolved problems can spark innovation and accelerate progress. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and its Grand Challenges funding partners use Challenges – launched in 2003 as open requests for grant proposals – to focus attention and effort on solving pressing global health and development problems for those most in need. Together they have awarded over 3600 grants engaging a diverse pool of problem solvers in over 100 countries and fostering a global innovation ecosystem where it will have the most impact. The foundation and its Grand Challenges partners will continue to launch RFPs to support innovators from around the world in tackling the hardest, most urgent, Grand Challenges. To learn more, visit grandchallenges.org.

SIHS Featured on New York Weekly

The Shalamar Institute of Health Sciences (SIHS) has achieved global recognition for its outstanding commitment to patient care and community outreach. In a recent publication by the prestigious New York Weekly, SIHS was highlighted for its remarkable contributions and groundbreaking achievements, setting a new standard in healthcare. The article titled “The Shalamar Institute of Health Sciences Sets a New Bar for Patient Care and Community Outreach” sheds light on the extraordinary efforts made by SIHS to revolutionize the healthcare landscape. This recognition marks a significant milestone in SIHS’s journey towards excellence and reflects its dedication to enhancing patient experiences while making a positive impact on the surrounding community. SIHS, situated in the vibrant city of Lahore, has long been regarded as a leading healthcare institution in Pakistan. With a vision to reimagine healthcare and empower communities, SIHS has consistently pushed boundaries to provide exceptional care, leveraging state-of-the-art technology, and fostering strong partnerships with patients and stakeholders alike. The New York Weekly article highlights SIHS’s innovative programs, such as community health camps, mobile healthcare units, and educational initiatives designed to raise awareness about preventive care and healthy living. By actively engaging with the community, SIHS has emerged as a beacon of hope, bridging gaps in healthcare access and addressing the unique needs of underserved populations. The feature on the New York Weekly serves as a testament to SIHS’s dedication to excellence and its tireless pursuit of innovation in healthcare. As a result of this recognition, SIHS aims to inspire other institutions worldwide to prioritize patient care, foster community engagement, and revolutionize healthcare practices

Panel discussion on Safe Reduction of Primary Cesarean Delivery

We were honored to host a dynamic panel of experts who engaged in a thought-provoking conversation on promoting safe and informed birth choices. Through evidence-based practices and collaborative efforts, we explored ways to reduce unnecessary cesarean deliveries, ensuring the well-being of mothers and babies during childbirth. The panelists shared invaluable insights, empowering us all to make informed decisions and create a nurturing environment that respects the natural birthing process. A huge thank you to all the attendees and our esteemed panelists for making this event a success! Let’s continue our journey towards safer and more fulfilling birth experiences together.

MoU between Shalamar Hospital and the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI)

We are thrilled to announce an extraordinary collaboration between Shalamar Hospital and the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI)! Witnessing the power of a longstanding relationship, Shalamar Hospital and LCCI have officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). Now, here’s the best part: LCCI employees and esteemed members will enjoy exclusive benefits with a special discount at Shalamar Hospital! This groundbreaking partnership is not just about numbers, but about a shared commitment to prioritizing the health and well-being of our community. Tag your colleagues and fellow LCCI members to spread the news and let them know about this incredible opportunity to access top-notch medical care at a discounted rate! Together, we are transforming healthcare accessibility and affordability, ensuring a healthier future for all. Join us on this exciting journey!

Appointment of Dr. Talat Waseem as Chair-Department of Surgery & Allied Surgical Disciplines

We are thrilled to announce the appointment of Dr. Talat Waseem as Chair-Department of Surgery & Allied Surgical Disciplines at Shalamar Institute of Health Sciences! With his leadership, we are confident that the Department of General Surgery and its Allied Surgical Disciplines will excel in clinical service, education, and research. Dr. Talat Waseem is an Associate Professor of Surgery and Consultant of Surgery at the Shalamar Institute of Health Sciences. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons England, having received this distinction in 2017. Additionally, he is a Fellow of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Pakistan (2012) and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons USA (2020). Dr. Waseem completed a Postdoctoral Fellowship in Surgical Research at Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, USA from 2002-2005. He is also a Master in Oncoplastic Breast Surgery, UK (Scholar), and a Master in Medical Education. Prior to joining Shalamar, Dr. Waseem served as a Clinical Lecturer at Cork University College and the University of Limerick, Ireland. He has published over 100 research articles in international and national journals. Let’s welcome Dr. Talat to his new role and provide him with full support in this exciting journey toward excellence!