Pakistan’s expanding role in global health research was prominently highlighted in Manchester this week, where leading academics, clinicians and diplomats came together to showcase innovative UK–Pakistan partnerships tackling some of the world’s most urgent health challenges.
The event, titled “Global Health Research in Pakistan: From Local Action to Global Impact,” was hosted at the Hyatt Regency, Manchester, through a collaboration between the University of Manchester, Manchester Global Foundation, the Global Mental Health Cultural Psychiatry Group and the Pakistan Institute of Living and Learning (PILL).
The gathering brought to light several groundbreaking research projects funded by the UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) that are not only boosting research capacity in Pakistan but also delivering solutions with far-reaching global impact.
Professor Nusrat Husain, Professor of Psychiatry and Director of Research in Global Mental Health at the University of Manchester, welcomed over 70 participants to the event, including clinicians, academics, media representatives and a delegation from the PILL team in Pakistan.
He underlined the value of cross-continental collaboration and the importance of south–north knowledge exchange to address global health priorities.
The sessions were chaired by Prof Nasim Chaudhry, CEO of PILL, Professor Imran Chaudhry, Head of Psychiatry at Ziauddin Hospital Karachi, and Professor Karina Lovell from the University of Manchester.
In her keynote address, Dr Nicola Commander, Assistant Director of Global Health Research at NIHR, outlined the agency’s commitment to supporting high-quality applied health research in low- and middle-income countries. She praised Pakistan’s growing contribution to global science, particularly in mental health, maternal care and non-communicable diseases.
Several key NIHR-funded projects were presented during the event, including a suicide prevention programme for adolescents called Youth Culturally Adapted Manual Assisted Problem Solving (YCMAP), led by Professor Nasim Chaudhry.
Other major initiatives included cardiac rehabilitation outreach programmes, integrated psychosocial care for breast cancer patients, tobacco cessation interventions for patients with severe mental illness, research on burn rehabilitation, and a maternal and neonatal health project aimed at preventing stillbirths and early deaths.
The event also featured remarks by Dr Rakhshi Memon, CEO of the Manchester Global Foundation, Professor Mowadat Rana of PILL, Dr Zahoor Ahmed, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Spain, and Mr Tariq Wazir, consul general of Pakistan in Manchester.
All the speakers highlighted the critical role of research diplomacy in elevating Pakistan’s international scientific presence and fostering long-term institutional collaborations. The gathering served as a platform to explore opportunities for strengthening UK-Pakistan research ties, expanding regional academic networks, and enhancing Pakistan’s visibility in global health leadership.
The consul general lauded the efforts of the PILL team, emphasizing the need to support scientific partnerships that translate research into real-world solutions. As Pakistan continues to build its research ecosystem and strengthen international alliances, the Manchester event served as a testament to the country’s capacity to contribute meaningfully to global health advancements. The spotlight on Pakistan’s research excellence reaffirmed the nation’s growing reputation as a hub for impactful, collaborative science.
Published in News Daily on 28 June 2025.