The Suleman Dawood School of Business (SDSB) resides at the intersection of innovative business practices, economic growth, and societal advancement. The MS Healthcare Management and Innovation (HMI) programme impacts the practice of healthcare management by creating leaders, innovators, and managers. It connects students with healthcare leaders through an innovative, experiential curriculum, intensive skills education, and diverse learning experiences.
On July 3, 2021, LUMS signed MOUs and announced new collaborations with three prominent healthcare organisations: Contech International, Evercare Hospital, and Shalamar Hospital. These partnerships will provide internship opportunities to students pursuing the MS HMI degree at SDSB.
Rector, LUMS, Mr. Shahid Hussain; Vice Provost, Dr. Tariq Jadoon; MS HMI Programme Director, Dr. Hassan Rauf; Assistant Professor, Dr. Ayesha Masood, and Executive in Residence, Mr. Kashif Khan, were present at the signing ceremony. Dr. Naeem Uddin Mian, Chairman and CEO, Contech International; Dr. Zafar Yusaf, CEO, Evercare Hospital, and Dr. Tanveer Rana, Chief Operating Officer, Shalamar Hospital, along with their officials signed the MOUs on behalf of their organisations.
The ceremony commenced with a brief introduction to LUMS. Mr. Shahid Hussain talked about the University’s vision and its collaborations, remarking, “From day one, the activities at LUMS have centred around engaging with society and industry. The MS HMI programme fits very well with the idea of helping society. Pakistan has brilliant clinicians who are very well trained and have established themselves. Our goal is to support that talent by providing managers who will help them through the delivery of the healthcare system.”
Dr. Hassan Rauf noted, “Bringing about a change in our healthcare sector will only be possible if we are able and willing to challenge the status quo. This cannot happen in isolation but rather has to be a collaborative partnership. Student placements and internships will allow us to have constructive interactions with decision-makers in the healthcare sector. They will also give students the opportunity to learn and contribute in a meaningful manner.”
Dr. Naeem Uddin Mian, Chairman and CEO, Contech International, spoke about the need to improve the health standards of the country. “This is one of the reasons we have very gladly partnered with LUMS. We want to introduce students not just to high-end hospitals, but to the reality on the ground and show them how they can improve the system and make a difference,” he said. Contech International is a healthcare consulting, research and management organisation that aims to improve the health status of people, especially women and children, by providing technical assistance in key areas of healthcare.
Investing in the healthcare sector is the need of the hour, shared Dr. Zafar Yusaf, CEO of Evercare Hospital, which operates as an integrated healthcare delivery platform in emerging markets across Africa and South Asia. “Pakistan’s healthcare systems are great in terms of their structure, but there is a disconnect due to how they are managed. Combining real-world knowledge through such internships with the education provided at LUMS will lead to the growth of this sector and the betterment of the Pakistani people.”
Dr. Tanveer Rana, Chief Operating Officer, Shalamar Hospital, recalled how Pakistan had one of the best healthcare delivery systems in the 1960s. “However, its utilisation has been a failure because of the managers. Infrastructure and facilities can be built, but the thought and vision of the person who is building them are important. The generation that is coming up are custodians of this country and are responsible for it,” he said. Over the last 44 years, Shalamar Hospital has evolved into a tertiary care medical facility with 500 beds, 25 clinical departments and specialities equipped with diagnostic and treatment facilities.
These partnerships are an essential initial step towards reforming the healthcare sector, noted Dr. Ayesha Masood. “These organisations are our true long-term partners. Their input and insights will be involved in the way we structure our programmes, the way we teach our students, and the things that they learn in the classrooms. What we are looking for is a long-term commitment towards excellence and collaboration.”
To learn more about the MS HMI programme, please click here.
