Youth ambassadors powering Pakistan's healthcare revolution

Khaleej Times

a day ago

Young changemakers are stepping into the spotlight, using their vision and compassion to make a lasting impact on society. Recognising their ability to spark transformation, Indus Hospital & Health Network (IHHN) has been nurturing its youth ambassadors, equipping them to become agents of change. Through awareness drives, advocacy, education, and direct community engagement, these students are addressing healthcare challenges head-on, ensuring a healthier tomorrow for thousands.
Launched in 2021, the Indus Youth Ambassador Programme (IYAP) began with just 15 determined students ready to confront critical healthcare issues locally and globally. Today, that number has grown to over 200 young advocates from different schools across the UAE, each committed to saving lives. Their relentless efforts have powered numerous fundraising campaigns, enabling millions of patients to receive quality, free-of-cost medical care. From supporting primary care initiatives to facilitating children battling cancer, and driving the most ambitious hospital growth project at IHHN, their work has touched countless lives.
Since opening its doors in 2007 under the leadership of Dr Abdul Bari Khan, IHHN has served over six million patients every year across Pakistan. Over time, it has evolved into a robust network of hospitals, regional blood centres, rehabilitation facilities, and primary care units treating many patients from across the country.
Between February and May 2025, a group of dedicated young volunteers launched a Childhood Cancer campaign on Yallagive, titled Let's Unite to Heal (IACAD Permit No. PRHCE - 004040533) to support IHHN's paediatric cancer programme. Their mission was aimed to raise awareness, and help provide free, high-quality treatment for children fighting cancer. Childhood cancer remains a pressing health crisis in Pakistan, with 10,000 - 12,000 new cases reported each year. Survival rates are just 20–30 per cent, compared to 80 per cent in developed countries, a gap caused by a lack of specialised centres, especially in rural areas.
IHHN runs one of South Asia's largest paediatric oncology units, offering both curative and palliative care. Since its inception, the ward has treated over 14,000 children, performing 150+ chemotherapy sessions daily, facilitating 350+ tele-clinic consultations, educating 250+ children through its in-house school Indus Kay Sitaray, and serving tens of thousands of outpatients and inpatients.
Thanks to the commitment of these young changemakers, the campaign raised an impressive sum of Dh282,000. These funds directly translate into timely treatment, hope, and a chance for countless children suffering from cancer.
The inspiring list of IYAP youth ambassadors includes Eimaan Irfan, Halimah Sharjil Anwar, Inaya Fawad, Aleena Fawad, Maya Haq, Saif Seer, Vivaan Shahani and Zoya Lakhani from Jumeirah College; Abdul Subhan Versiani, Anabiya Versiani, Falak Mudasir Kaba from Scholars International Academy; Ayesha Khokhar from Jess Jumeirah; Hayah Iqbal from Jess Arabian Ranches; Azlan Shah and Shaheer Baig from Dubai College; Haider Ali, Misha Ahmad, Rayyan Sidat and Yusuf Sidat from GEMS Jumeirah Primary School; Maaiz Mubashir, Mifrah Furkan, Saalim Kaba and Zainab Versiani from Sharjah English School; Kanza Ahmed and Qaniah Ahmed from Jumeirah Baccalaureate School Dubai, UAE; Minahil Amjad from GEMS Wellington Academy; Zain Alladin from GEMS Wellington International School; Mikayil Yusuf from Jebel Ali School (JAS) Dubai, UAE; Qasim Khan and Ahmed Khan from Repton Dubai; Deeba Ahmad, Erza Zaeem, Wardah Sajid, Zubaida Tasneem, Khadija Syed, Fayha Naeem, Naba Adnan, Samit Gujare, Muhammad Rayyan, Mirza Sarim Baig, Sarim Siddiqui, Shaikh Ashmaan, Syed Muhammad Aalian Hyder, Sarah Atif, Azka Izzat, Emaan Rizwan, Usman Adeel, Zeba Ashraf Patel and Rameen Ahmed from Pristine Private School.
In July 2025, 13 bright and eager students from across the Middle East embarked on a transformative journey to Karachi for IHHN's inaugural nine-day Summer Student Training Programme (SSTP). Over the course of this immersive experience, they stepped into the heart of healthcare, gaining hands-on clinical exposure, venturing into the rural landscapes of interior Sindh to witness community care in action, and receiving invaluable mentorship from a distinguished panel of physicians, surgeons, psychologists, and administrators. The trainees also met paediatric cancer patients and undertook a comprehensive session on expressing empathy and compassion towards them. A carnival organised by the trainees for cancer patients marked the end of IHHN's flagship Student Training Programme.
The programme was more than just training, it became a meaningful step for students to turn their passion for learning into a commitment to caring for others and re-connecting with their homeland. The Indus Hospital & Health Network UAE encourages students from across the region to take part in its upcoming training and youth ambassador programmes, fostering ongoing commitment to delivering free healthcare to the underprivileged.
The Summer Student Training Programme 2025 welcomed an inspiring cohort of young participants from across the Middle East. Representing Jumeirah College were Reza Khan, Zahra Khan, Khadija Usmani, and Zain Seer, while Dubai English Speaking College was represented by Zakaria Subhani and Maaria Subhani. Eman Versiani represented the University of Sharjah, and Anaya Uzzam Malik participated from the British International School Riyadh. GEMS FirstPoint School Dubai was represented by Hamzah Ahmed.
The compassion and drive shown by these young ambassadors proves that age is no barrier to making a real difference. By uniting across cultural, economic, and geographical divides, they have brought hope, healing, and empowerment to those who need it the most, setting an example for others to follow.