Conference on Patient Safety begins at Riphah University

Rawalpindi

The first international conference on Patient Safety 2016, organised by Riphah International University commenced here on Saturday with the theme ‘Patient Safety –Right or Privilege.’

The conference adopted Islamabad declaration calling for giving high priority to the ‘Patient Safety.’ It also calls for establishing Patients Advisory Group (PIG) at National and Provincial level to understand patient concerns who are the most important stake holders in the health care ecosystem. The declaration also called upon the federal government to enhance spending in the health sector to at least 3% of the GDP.

Federal Health Secretary Muhammad Ayub Shaikh, addressing the inaugural session of the conference, highlighted the steps being taken by the government in the health sector. “Our plans and policies are focused on creating a health care environment delivery high value for the patient safety in Pakistan. The federal ministry of national health services fully supports the aims and objectives of conference with the hope that it will play an instrumental role in building healthier Pakistan. I congratulate Riphah International University on taking this important initiative on promoting quality and safety in health care system in the country,” he said.

The Surgeon General of Pakistan Armed Forces Lieutenant General Imran Majeed, speaking on the occasion, appreciated Riphah international university for initiating patient safety system by organising the first international conference on the subject in Pakistan. He particularly congratulated and appreciated Major General Zulfiqar Ali Khan for founding Islamic International Medical College Trust and establishing state of the art educational institutions for world quality professional education.

The Chairman of Higher Education Commission of Pakistan (HEC) Professor Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed in his speech, stressed the need of fostering a culture of patient safety by proving and improving the health care facilities at institutional and national level . He said HEC highly supports Riphah International University in taking the lead for this purpose.

Professor Dr. Paul Burach, senior medical director at the Advisory Board Company from USA delivered thematic key note at the inaugural session and highlighted the aims and objectives of the conference.

Earlier, Pro-Chancellor of Riphah International University Hassan Muhammad Khan welcomed the participants of the conference and hoped the conference will help in developing a learning network of health care professionals on patient safety and quality of health care. He said Riphah intend to closely align its health professions curriculum, both at graduate and postgraduate level, with patient safety as one of the key objectives.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Anis Ahmed said Riphah International University is imparting high quality professional education with the inculcation of Islamic ethical values as per its mission statement. He said this conference has given an opportunity to all professionals in health care to come up with the recommendations on national health care and safety policies.

The Conference Chairman Dr. Zakiuddin Ahmed also spoke on the occasion and gave the reasons behind organising the conference and importance of its outcome.

Health Care Quality and Safety Association of Pakistan (HQSAP) was also launched at the inaugural session to carry out the recommendations of the conference.

The Inaugural session was followed by working sessions on various topics relating to importance of patient safety in health care system. First such session was presided over by DG Health Dr. Assad Hafeez.

There will be post-conference workshop today (May 8) at Al-Mizan Campus of Riphah International University.