Thursday, 24th September 2026

The Riphah Institute of Healthcare Improvement & Safety (RIHIS), in collaboration with the Faculty of Rehabilitation & Allied Health Sciences (FRAHS) and MaxHealth Pharmacy, Islamabad, successfully organized the September 2026 Patient Safety Awareness Event, bringing together academic, clinical, pharmacy, and regulatory stakeholders to advance dialogue on safer healthcare delivery.

Held under a unified initiative commemorating World Physiotherapy Day, World Patient Safety Day, and World Pharmacists Day, the event centered on the theme: “Aligning Physiotherapy, Safe Medication & Patient-Centered Care – An Interprofessional Dialogue for Safer Care and Better Patient Outcomes.”

The event provided a multidisciplinary platform to explore critical aspects of contemporary healthcare delivery, with particular emphasis on safe rehabilitation practices, medication safety, interprofessional collaboration, clinical quality, and patient-centered care.

Policy and Regulatory Perspectives

The dialogue was strengthened by the participation of prominent regulatory officials and pharmacy leaders, who shared perspectives on pharmaceutical regulation, policy development, quality control, and patient safety.

The distinguished contributors included:

• Dr. Sardar Shabbir Ahmad – Chief Drug Inspector, ICT; Secretary, Quality Control Board, Islamabad; Chairperson, PPA Centre
• Mr. Khaqan Babar – President, PPA (Islamabad–AJK–GB)
• Mr. Shifa Khan Bangash – Vice President, PPA Centre

Their contributions highlighted the importance of regulatory compliance, institutional coordination, quality assurance, and evidence-informed practices in strengthening healthcare systems and safeguarding patients.

Distinguished Panel Discussion

The event also featured a distinguished panel representing Riphah's healthcare and quality leadership. The panelists included:

• Prof. Dr. Omar Awwab Khan – Medical Director, Riphah Healthcare Services (RHS)
• Dr. Ali Tahir Rana – Deputy Director, Riphah Healthcare Services (RHS)
• Ms. Dr. Shamaila Burney – Deputy Director, HQD

The panel discussion provided an opportunity to examine patient safety from multiple professional perspectives and emphasized the importance of collaboration among healthcare professionals in achieving better clinical outcomes.

By bringing together professionals from physiotherapy, pharmacy, healthcare management, academia, and regulatory institutions, the event highlighted the interconnected nature of patient safety and the need for coordinated approaches to healthcare improvement.

Recognizing Collaborative Leadership

The successful organization of the event reflected strong collaboration among Riphah's academic, clinical, and pharmacy teams. Special recognition was extended to Dr. Mirza Obaid Baig, Dr. Zeeshan Arshad, Mr. Aziz ur Rahseed, Mr. Mudassar Farooq, Ms. Mustabshara, and their respective teams for their coordination and efforts in delivering the event.

The Management of Riphah Healthcare Services (RHS) was also acknowledged for its continued encouragement, operational support, and commitment to fostering a culture of quality improvement and patient-centered safety.

The Patient Safety Awareness Event reflects Riphah International University's ongoing commitment to strengthening healthcare quality through interprofessional education, clinical collaboration, regulatory awareness, and continuous improvement.

Through initiatives such as this, Riphah continues to provide platforms for meaningful dialogue among healthcare professionals and stakeholders, supporting the development of safer, more integrated, and patient-centered approaches to healthcare delivery.