UHS Okays Pakistan’s First MS Stroke Intervention Programme

LAHORE: (Sraff Reporter) – The University of Health Sciences (UHS) has approved Pakistan’s first MS Stroke Intervention (Level-IV) degree programme, a move aimed at strengthening advanced stroke care and neuro-interventional services across the country.

The approval was granted during the 43rd meeting of the UHS Academic Council, chaired by Vice Chancellor Prof Ahsan Waheed Rathore.

The programme will train specialists in interventional neuroradiology and endovascular stroke management, including catheter-based procedures used to treat acute ischemic stroke and other cerebrovascular conditions.

According to UHS, the initiative will support the establishment of Comprehensive Stroke Centres across Punjab under the provincial government’s healthcare expansion plan. The programme is expected to help address the shortage of trained specialists needed to provide timely and evidence-based stroke treatment.

Prof Rathore said Punjab was rapidly expanding its stroke care infrastructure and that the new academic programme would help ensure the availability of qualified professionals to operate specialised stroke centres.

The Academic Council also approved curricula for PhD programmes in Nursing, Public Health, Oral Biology and Medical Education. In addition, it approved the launch of new PhD programmes in Pharmacy and Medical Laboratory Technology to promote research and meet growing healthcare needs.

The council further approved six research-oriented certificate programmes in areas including research methodology, biostatistics, clinical epidemiology, evidence-based medicine, clinical trials management, grant writing, research ethics and bioethics.

A Certificate in Quality Management for Clinical Laboratories and Blood Banking was also approved to improve professional capacity in laboratory medicine.

The meeting also endorsed updated curricula for six postgraduate Level-II diploma programmes, including Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Medical Radiology, Anesthesiology, Psychological Medicine, Ophthalmic Medicine and Surgery, and Child Health.

Additionally, amendments were approved in regulations governing MS, MD and MDS Level-III and Level-IV programmes to standardise internal assessment and strengthen exit examination procedures.