Pakistan launches medical tourism initiative under SIFC

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has formally launched the Pakistan National Medical Tourism Initiative under the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), with the announcement made during the 30th Annual International Conference of the Pakistan Association of Plastic Surgeons (Paps).

The conference was organised under the leadership of Conference Secretary Prof Dr Abdul Khaliq Malik, who heads Plastic and Burn Surgery at Pims. According to the details shared at the event, more than 400 delegates and 12 international faculty members attended despite regional challenges.

The three-day conference served as a major scientific platform and included research presentations, advanced lectures and live surgical workshops. A separate track on non-invasive aesthetic procedures, including Botox, fillers and fat grafting, gave residents and specialists practical exposure to international developments in the field.

The event brought together international experts including Prof Dr Eva Maria of Germany, president of Icoplast, and Prof Nick Wilson John of the United Kingdom, who chairs the Bapras Education Committee. Specialists from China, Egypt, Türkiye, Argentina and Saudi Arabia also participated.

The ceremony was attended by Health Secretary Aslam Ghauri and senior military officials, including DG SIFC Maj Gen Asadur Rehman Cheema. The stated aim was to help position Pakistan as a regional centre for affordable and high-quality reconstructive and aesthetic surgery.

The conference also received academic backing from the vice chancellors of Nums and SZABMU, along with administrative support from Prof Dr Rana Imran Sikandar, executive director of Pims.

New Paps leadership takes oath

During the proceedings, the new office-bearers of Paps were sworn in, with Prof Dr Mazhar Nizam taking over as president. Prof Dr Abdul Khaliq Malik thanked the organising committee and specifically acknowledged the contributions of Dr Safdar Ali and Prof Dr Farrukh Aslam.

The services of senior figures including Prof Mamoon Rasheed and Prof Moazzam Nazir Tarar were also recognised for their role in inspiring younger surgeons. The conference concluded with a commitment to expand international academic cooperation and further strengthen Pakistan’s place as an emerging centre for innovation in plastic surgery.

Health minister reviews Sehat Kahani telemedicine performance

Separately, Federal Minister for Health Mustafa Kamal met the Sehat Kahani team led by CEO Dr Sara Saeed Khurram. During the meeting, she briefed the minister on the three-month performance of Sehat Kahani’s telemedicine integration at basic health units in Islamabad and dispensaries in Karachi.

Dr Khurram said the project had been rolled out at eight facilities and had served thousands of patients through general as well as specialist consultations. The briefing stated that the main specialties provided were gynaecology, paediatrics and dermatology.

It was further shared that the highest patient numbers were recorded in the 0–9 and 20–49 age groups. According to the briefing, 65 per cent of beneficiaries were women, indicating improved access to healthcare services.

From a financial standpoint, the initiative was said to have generated estimated savings of around Rs8 million by cutting travel costs for patients, reducing the need for expensive private consultations and improving timely access to medicines and treatment.