KARACHI- The Centre of Biomedical Ethics and Culture, Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT) was designated as a World Health Organization (WHO) collaborating center in Bioethics during a special ceremony held at SIUT.
This is the first time that a center from Pakistan is inclusive in the list of centers from within the entire Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMRO) of WHO, among 21 other countries.
To mark this occasion of collaboration, flag of World Health Organization (WHO) was officially handed over to Prof Farhat Moazzam, Chairperson, CBEC by WHO’s Head of Pakistan Mission, Mohammad Assai Ardakani, alongside WHO Geneva Representative, Dr. Andreas Reis. Prof. Dr. Adib Rizvi, Director SIUT, was also present at this occasion.
While addressing the audience, Prof Rizvi mentioned that, the Bioethics Center at SIUT was established in 2004. Since then, over 100 professionals from across the country and abroad have graduated from it. Currently, in addition to Pakistani students, other students from Kenya, Uganda and Qatar are also participating.
Dr. Reis, discussed regarding the already longstanding collaboration between the Centre and WHO, and their future plans. Dr. Reis added that, “We are pleased that the Centre of Biomedical Ethics and Culture of SIUT has been recognized as a Collaborating Center for bioethics, and has thus joined the WHO family. It is not only one of the oldest and most prestigious institutions working on bioethics in the region, but it also has an excellent reputation at an international level.”
WHO has greatly benefited from the Center’s expertise and contributions in different areas, such as ethics in organ transplantation, research, and epidemics - all of which are key priorities of WHO’s work plan.
WHO Country Head, Dr. Ardakani spoke warmly of his long association with Pakistan, starting as a medical student at Dow Medical College in the early 1980s. He praised SIUT for their exemplary work and their association with Bioethics.
Prof Farhat Moazzam mentioned that, over a span of 13 years since its inception, the center is now regarded as a national and regional resource for bioethics. The alumni from its academic programs are heading their own bioethics initiatives in their respective institutions and formed a caravan of bioethics, that has taken shape within the past few years.