- IHHN opening up more healthcare facilities and benefits
Indus Hospital & Health Network (IHHN) has become one of the leading organizations where the impoverished could get free-of-cost medical treatment with dignity. IHHN has made strides during 2021-22. The following were shared by the management of IHHN with PAKISTAN & GULF ECONOMIST.
New Hospital Building construction milestone achieved:
Patient volumes are only expected to rise, given the current rate of population growth and the continued lack of access to high-quality healthcare which is either free-of-cost or affordable for the masses. In response to this inescapable reality, IHHN began constructing a New Hospital Building at the Indus Hospital Korangi Campus, Karachi. As of September 2021, 100% of the building’s gray structure has been constructed successfully.
Inauguration of new hospital campus in Lahore:
IHHN opened the doors of its newly-built, state-of-the-art 600-bed hospital in Jubilee Town, Lahore. The first phase has officially been completed and the IHHN – QF, NST & SMP Campus has been inaugurated by the Governor of Punjab on 30th June, 2021. In this initial phase, 34 in-patient beds have been operationalized, along with Ultrasound, OPD, Pharmacy and X-Ray services.
First kidney transplant conducted successfully:
Multan Institute of Kidney Diseases (MIKD), one of the hospitals managed by IHHN under a public-private partnership, successfully conducted its first kidney transplant on a 40-year-old man.
6th Biennial ICON held in 2022:
IHHN’s commitment to being a forum for the medical community to band together and serve as a platform to disseminate knowledge and forge sustainable collaborations has been key to presenting IHHN as a reputable organization. In 2012, IHHN founded ICON, its flagship biennial conference designed for members of IHHN’s fraternity and beyond to exhibit their achievements, unique work and innovative research. By virtue of COVID-19, ICON 2022 – Beyond the Call of Duty – was organized virtually and the conference was able to engage over 8,000 people from across the globe. This success is exemplary of how Indus is recognized as a national Network with international impact and outreach.
First National Patient Safety Conference:
The Government of Sindh, in collaboration with World Health Organization Pakistan and IHHN organized the First National Patient Safety Conference – Patient-Centered Care. The conference provided a crucial opportunity to promote a culture of safety among healthcare providers as well as address patient safety challenges faced by public and private hospitals and the role of policymakers in combating those challenges.
The Indus Hospital Korangi Campus’ Pathology Department achieved ISO 15189 accreditation:
The Pathology Department (Clinical Laboratories) of the Indus Hospital, Korangi Campus, Karachi received accreditation with ISO-15189 quality standards; becoming one of only 14 laboratories in Pakistan to achieve this milestone. Impressively, IHHN’s scope of diagnostic services accredited with ISO 15189 is the largest amongst clinical laboratories in Pakistan.
Inauguration of third annual Certification Program in Emergency Medicine (CPEM):
Sixty physicians from Pakistan and Bangladesh and 11 faculty members from eight institutions across four countries were enrolled during the inauguration of the third cycle of CPEM. This marked the first time that the certification course was taught across international borders through a mix of virtual and hands-on training methods.
White coat ceremony for incoming medical students:
The Indus University of Health Sciences (IUHS) held the ‘White Coat’ ceremony for the new students of the Indus College of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation and Indus College of Medical Technology and Allied Health Sciences, marking the enrolment of 22 and 32 students respectively.
Onboarding of new international partner in Switzerland:
Friends of Indus Hospital, Switzerland is a not-for-profit charitable organization registered with the Kantonal registration office of Basel Stadt and Swiss Federal Government, inaugurated to raise awareness about the healthcare needs of thousands of deserving patients and raises funds to support IHHN in Pakistan.
Infection Prevention & Control Diploma:
In October 2021, 143 students from across Pakistan successfully graduated with a Diploma in Infection Prevention and Control, issued by IHHN’s Infection Control Department. This one-year institutional diploma program prepares healthcare professionals to lead and implement infection prevention and control strategies in healthcare facilities.
Milestone achievement of ENT department:
IHHN has been conducting free-of-cost cochlear implant surgeries since 2014. 2021 marked the year where the ENT department successfully completed 100 cochlear implant surgeries.
Milestone achievement of Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program:
In 2021, the Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PuRe) Program enrolled its 100th patient, a 62-year-old male with acute Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). The program has been working since 2018 to provide high-quality services to prevent, diagnose, and manage lung diseases in Pakistan, focusing on non-TB-associated respiratory disorders.
Pediatric Oncology Unit for Quetta, Balochistan:
IHHN signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the initiation and management of the Pediatric Oncology Unit at the Sheikh Zayed Hospital, Quetta.
Introduction of peritoneal dialysis:
IHHN introduced peritoneal dialysis, a home-based solution for patients with chronic kidney disease to undergo dialysis from the comfort of their homes or while traveling, without the need for any machine (as in the case of hemodialysis).
Collaborations for training IHHN healthcare staff:
Various training programs were conducted for IHHN healthcare professionals in collaboration with internationally renowned stakeholders. The second edition of the Collaborative Advanced Trauma Care (CAT-C) program was conducted in 2022 in collaboration with the Global Emergency Medicine section of Emory University and Grady Memorial Hospital, Atlanta, Georgia, USA. IHHN also collaborated with specialists from the USA to establish a Collaborative Advanced Trauma Course program for its Recep Tayyip Erdogan Hospital (RTEH) campus in Muzaffargarh. Also, IHHN partnered with the WHO and Government of Pakistan for a certification course in Infection Prevention and Control.
Recognition by World Health Organization:
During the first wave of COVID-19, researchers at Indus Hospital & Health Network conducted a study to estimate in-hospital mortality and determinants amongst COVID-19 patients. The research was recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO), and it was inducted as part of WHO’s database for the WHO Global Clinical Platform for COVID-19.
Postgraduate Medical Education (PGME) at Indus Hospital & Health Network:
In 2022, IHHN held its third PGME convocation, which celebrated the achievements of 98 medical professionals including intermediate modules, MCPS, Fellowships and FCPS. Moreover, three professors were honored with Certificates and Professor of Emeritus. IHHN’s PGME program is formulated to reshape graduate medical professionals into compassionate and empathetic healthcare providers.
Best Innovative Solution Award at the Member Global Meeting by the International Humanitarian City, Dubai:
Indus Hospital & Health Network’s unique initiatives to provide high-quality healthcare to vulnerable populations in remote areas through a Boat Clinic and Container-Based Community Health Centers won the ‘Best Innovative Solution Award’ at the Member Global Meeting by the International Humanitarian City, Dubai. The award recognized IHHN’s ability to reach Pakistan’s most vulnerable populations with high-quality healthcare.
Dr. Abdul Bari Khan receives honorary degree from Greenwich University:
Dr. Abdul Bari Khan was awarded an honorary Doctorate Degree from Greenwich University, Pakistan. The ‘Degree of Doctor of Humane (Honoris Causa)’ was presented to him for his untiring and endless services to humanity.
Awards at the 5th International Conference on Patient Safety, 2022:
The Ripah Institute of Healthcare Improvement & Safety organized the 5th International Conference on Patient Safety in 2022. Here, a research paper on the adoption of ICD-Coding in multidisciplinary hospitals prepared by Indus Hospital & Health Network staff was selected and received by the Dr. Tahir Shamsi Patient Safety Research Award. Moreover, Dr. Lubna Mushtaque – Head of Department, Quality and Monitoring Directorate was awarded the Rufaida Al-Aslamiya Physician Patient Safety Champion Award.