EVENTS
Meeting on 1st July 2026 in Islamabad on Tuberculosis Preventive Therapy (TPT) and Tuberculin Skin Testing (TST)
Health Solutions Pakistan successfully convened a landmark National Consultative Meeting on 1st July 2026 in collaboration with AJ Vaccines in Islamabad on Tuberculosis Preventive Therapy (TPT) and Tuberculin Skin Testing (TST), bringing together senior policymakers, National and Provincial TB Program leadership, UNOPS, Stop TB Partnership, Health Services Academy, professional medical societies, leading clinicians, researchers, academia, and international development partners to shape the future of tuberculosis prevention in Pakistan. The consultative forum generated strong national consensus that achieving the WHO End TB Strategy requires a transformative shift from disease management to disease prevention through evidence-based implementation of TPT supported by systematic TST. The meeting facilitated high-level scientific dialogue, reviewed global and national evidence, identified critical operational priorities, strengthened multisectoral partnerships, and laid the foundation for implementation research, policy advancement, workforce capacity development, and sustainable program scale-up. By creating an unprecedented platform for collaboration between government, academia, healthcare institutions, and international experts, Health Solutions Pakistan reaffirmed its leadership in driving evidence-informed public health policy and accelerating Pakistan’s journey toward a stronger, more resilient, and prevention-focused National TB Program.
One-Day Workshop on Tuberculosis Preventive Treatment (TPT) and Tuberculin Skin Testing (TST)
A one-day capacity-building workshop on Tuberculosis Preventive Treatment (TPT) and Tuberculin Skin Testing (TST) was conducted by Health Solutions Pakistan on 30 June 2026 in collaboration with AJ Vaccines at Children Hospital, PIMS Islamabad, to strengthen healthcare workers’ knowledge and practical competency in TB infection testing and preventive treatment. The workshop brought together clinicians, infectious disease specialists, pediatricians, TB program professionals, and healthcare workers to build technical capacity for implementing TST-guided TPT within Pakistan’s evolving TB prevention strategy.
The workshop emphasized an important paradigm shift—from treating tuberculosis disease after it develops to preventing disease among individuals with tuberculosis infection. Throughout the scientific sessions, Dr. Razia fatima, Jens Ulrik Als from AJ Vaccines Denmark, Dr. Dr. Nuzhat Yasmin Head of Department, Children Hospital PIMS, Dr. Misbah and dr. Naseem, introduced the participants to the latest global evidence, WHO recommendations, implementation science, and Pakistan-specific opportunities for scaling up TPT through systematic contact investigation and infection testing.
The training concluded with a practical demonstration of TST administration and interpretation by master trainer Gul Zaib, followed by supervised hands-on practice. For this initial competency-building workshop, simulation-based approach allowed participants to safely develop correct intradermal injection technique before progressing to live patient administration in future competency sessions.
World TB Day 2026 Commemorated at PIMS, Islamabad
“Yes! We Can End TB – Commit, Invest, Deliver”
World Tuberculosis (TB) Day 2026 was commemorated today at the MCH Auditorium, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Islamabad, in a high-level event organized by Health Solutions Pakistan in collaboration with the Pakistan institute of Medical Sciences. The event brought together leading public health experts, clinicians, policymakers, and development partners to reaffirm their commitment to ending TB in Pakistan.
The session was chaired by Professor Dr. Imran Sikandar and supported by the PIMS administration, including Dr. Irum (DED Non-Medical) and Dr. Aneeza (DED Medical). Dr. Ejaz Qadeer, Chairperson Health Solutions Pakistan, Dr. Razia Fatima, TB Consultant and Advisor to national and global TB initiatives UNOPS, Dr. Karam Ali Shah, Advisor stop TB and Dopasi foundation , and Dr. Abdul Ghafoor, Founding Member of Pakistan Chest Society, were among the distinguished guests. The event was moderated by Professor Dr. Nasim Akhtar from the Infectious Diseases Department.
One-Day Consultative Workshop on TB Preventive Treatment (TPT)
Health Solutions International organized a One-Day Consultative Workshop on TB Preventive Treatment (TPT) on 10 February 2026, bringing together key stakeholders from government, professional associations, development partners, civil society, and representatives of communities affected by TB and HIV. The consultation focused on strengthening TPT uptake in Pakistan, addressing gaps in screening, particularly the availability and use of Tuberculin Skin Test (TST) and identifying programmatic, operational, and policy-level actions to improve national coverage, currently estimated at approximately 5%. Participants strongly endorsed the scale-up of TPT, the piloting of TST within selected districts, enhanced provider training, improved household contact screening, integration with HIV and MNCH platforms, and the need for strengthened data reporting systems. A consensus emerged on conducting pilot studies to generate local evidence to inform potential inclusion of TST in national guidelines.
The Event Graced by The Chief Guest Dr. Nusrat Haider, Deputy Director Programs, Ministry of National Health Services, Regulation and Coordination & participated by (Ministry of National Health Services, Regulation and Coordination, Common Management Unit (CMU), Provincial TB Programs (Punjab, Sindh, KP, Balochistan), World Health Organization, Pakistan Pediatric Association, Pakistan Chest Society, Stop TB Partnership Pakistan, Jhpiego, JSI, Mercy Corps, Dopasi Foundation, Association for Social Development, AJ Vaccines, Spiro, Representatives from Associations of People Living with HIV (APLHIV).
United for Health; Igniting Change (17 July 2025, Islamabad)
United for Health; Igniting Change (17 July 2025, Islamabad) Health Solutions International convened senior public- and private-sector stakeholders such as Ministry of planning (state minister) Ministry of health and NGO partners to reframe Pakistan’s epidemic response through an implementation-focused lens: moving from fragmented, disease-specific programming to integrated, rights-based and gender-transformative health systems. The event highlighted practical pathways for scale-up at primary care level—co-delivering TB services with diabetes, nutrition, tobacco cessation and mental health support; strengthening HIV governance and safe care; preparing equitable HPV vaccine roll-out; and leveraging multi-disease diagnostics and connected laboratory networks to improve access, timeliness and efficiency. A central message was that sustainable impact will depend on governance and financing reform, meaningful community engagement, and accountability mechanisms that reduce stigma and discrimination while closing gender inequities.
Successful Training for SORT-IT Operational Research
SORT-IT is a highly prestigious initiative that aims to build research capacity for public health professionals, empowering them to carry out high-quality operational research to improve healthcare programs also offered through WHO/TDR, MSF and reputed research platforms across various countries around the world. SORT-IT training focuses on making research practical and accessible for individuals working in the field, enabling them to turn evidence into action.
Participants gain valuable skills in designing, conducting, and analyzing operational research studies that have direct applications in improving health outcomes. The program equips professionals to address public health challenges through evidence-based solutions.
The SORT IT 2025 is launched by Health Solutions international , HSI is a forward-thinking organization to uplift society from socioeconomic sufferings by working on health, education and environment. Empowering Communities by working in partnership with them improve their social status, and wellbeing. we work in all areas of Sustainable Development goals particularly health and education through Evidence based , Scientifically sound cross cutting solutions, research, and a deep commitment to community engagement and Global best practices. The SORT IT Call was Announced in collaboration with The Initiative a local organization working on public health and Rawalpindi Medical University a well reputed university in Pakistan. The interested candidates were advised to submit a half-page of text that a) describes a relevant problem that the candidate has identified within a given programme and b) formulates a research question that is proposed to be developed into an operational research project.
Moreover they need to Provide a written statement from the programme manager or relevant authority confirming the relevance of the research question and granting the applicant permission to have time and opportunity to carry out and publish his/her operational research. Must provide written commitment to attend all modules of SORT IT, return to their programme or institution after the course and implement course knowledge at programme level for a minimum of 18 months.
In addition, they had to provide a written statement from a mentor (if available) or referee describing how the mentor knows the candidate and if he/she will be suitable for the course.
If applicable, the ability to mobilize the funding required carrying out the operational research. The eligibility criteria was Master of Public Health (MPH) or an equivalent, or a strong recommendation. Fluent in written and spoken English and/or the language of the course Computer literate.
The modules 1 and 2 (Protocol writing and Data entry and analysis) were successfully implemented from May 19th till 30th 2025.
