The Global Health Network (TGHN) Pakistan has been established to strengthen the country's research capacity development.
The programme is responsible for implementing the strategic vision and goals of TGHN, as well as promoting the network's resources and training programmes to the national audience and fostering partnerships with other organizations and institutions to further advance global health topics and health research.
To be effective, TGHN Pakistan propagates activities that promote a strong understanding of the needs and challenges of health research in Pakistan, as well as a commitment to working with global partners to enable an environment for implementing health research in the following ways:
- Facilitating training initiatives and connecting researchers to TGHN resource database
- Promoting mentorship and collaboration for researchers
- Supporting the exchange of knowledge and expertise
Strategic Vision:
Key Areas of Focus:
Knowledge mobilization and sharing
TGHN Pakistan Identifies & Shares High-Value Research Resources for Local/Regional Groups in TGHN Africa/Asia/LAC Hub.
Early Career Researcher Capacity Building
TGHN Pakistan Empowers Early Career Researchers: Hands-On Workshops, Webinars, Career Development, and Site Exchange Initiatives for Unlocking Potentials Through Education.
Clinical
Trials
TGHN Pakistan will focus on Clinical trials in Pakistan as regulated by the Drug Regulatory Authority and aim to evaluate the safety and efficacy of new treatments.
Grantsmanship and Collaboration
TGHN Pakistan equips early career researchers with resources to secure funding, including training, mentorship, and networking opportunities to promote research advancement in Pakistan.
Research Ethics
Research ethics in Pakistan is a complex issue, with limited institutional support and inadequate regulatory frameworks. Challenges include informed consent, confidentiality, vulnerable populations, and cultural considerations.
Cancer Research
Cancer research in Pakistan has been steadily increasing in recent years, with efforts focused on improving early detection and treatment options, as well as addressing barriers to accessing care in underserved populations.
Women in Global Health Research and Leadership
As a key priority, TGHN Pakistan focuses on Empowering Women in Evidence-Based Research for Pakistan's Advancement and Inclusive Development.
Meet the Country Center Coordinators:
Dr. Farah Asif
Knowledge Exchange Coordinator
Research Administrator and Head of Clinical Research Office
Farah is Clinical Research Administrator and Head of Clinical Research Office at Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital & Research Centre (SKMCH&RC), Lahore, Pakistan. She holds a Master's degree in Clinical Trials and a first professional degree in medicine. She has done a European Fellowship in Research Ethics (EFRE) organized by the Good Clinical Practice Alliance - Europe (GCPA). In her eighteen-year career at SKMCH&RC, she has been leading the clinical research office and human research protection program. Since November 2020, her work focuses on strengthening research ethics framework in Pakistan in support of public health emergencies. She is a member of the Shalamar Medical and Dental College Institutional Review Board and a member of the Advisory Committee for the Academic and Research Programs of the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences Women University, Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. She has an interest in research ethics and building capacity for locally relevant research in Pakistan that can improve health services and contribute to addressing global challenges that need greater participation from LMICs.