Latest news with #IYAP
Khaleej Times
3 days ago
- Health
- Khaleej Times
Youth ambassadors powering Pakistan's healthcare revolution
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.
Khaleej Times
23-03-2025
- Health
- Khaleej Times
The Indus Hospital Youth Ambassadors: Empowering a New Generation of Change-Makers
The youth of today are redefining the fabric of our society, harnessing their energy, passion, and dedication to drive transformative change. Recognising their potential, Indus Hospital & Health Network (IHHN) is dedicated to empowering its youth ambassadors to become pioneers of a better future. They are tackling pressing healthcare disparities through awareness, education, advocacy, and community engagement to shape a brighter future for thousands. The Indus Hospital launched the Indus Youth Ambassador Programme (IYAP) in 2021, equipping these brilliant children to address the most pressing healthcare challenges on both local and global scales. Starting with 15 trailblazing young minds, IYAP has now grown to almost 200 dedicated individuals committed to saving lives. Thanks to their efforts, hundreds of fundraising campaigns have successfully resulted in millions of patients receiving free-of-cost, quality healthcare. They have worked tirelessly to raise funds for vital causes, ranging from nourishing mothers and their newborn babies, to supporting primary care initiatives to supporting children battling cancer. Since its inception in 2007, Indus Hospital & Health Network (IHHN) has touched the lives of over six million patients annually in Pakistan. Under the inspired leadership of Dr Abdul Bari Khan, IHHN has grown into a robust healthcare ecosystem, comprising a network of hospitals, regional blood centres, physical rehabilitation centres, and primary care sites. Driven by an unwavering commitment to compassion and care, IHHN has consistently pushed the boundaries of healthcare accessibility, providing a safety net for the most vulnerable populations and illuminating a brighter future for millions. It is a true testament of the power of mobilisation and compassion. Our youth ambassadors initiated the Childhood Cancer campaign on the online platform called Yallagive (with IACAD Permit No. PRHCE - 003622765) between September 2024 and February 2025. Their efforts facilitated comprehensive high-quality, free-of-cost healthcare services for children battling cancer. They raised awareness about healthcare challenges faced by these young warriors, highlighting the impact of IHHN's paediatric cancer programme. The programme is one of South Asia's largest and most advanced paediatric oncology units, offering comprehensive care that includes both curative and palliative treatments. Childhood cancer poses a critical health challenge in Pakistan, with approximately 10,000-12,000 new cases reported annually. Despite the increasing burden, several factors contribute to the alarmingly low survival rates, which currently stand at 20-30 per cent, сompared to 80 per cent in more developed nations. The root of the problem lies in the scarcity of specialised centres for diagnosis and treatment, particularly in rural areas, leaving many children without access to timely medical care. IHHN's paediatric oncology ward has treated more than 14,000 children since its inception and performs over 150 chemotherapy sessions every day. It has facilitated over 350 Tele-clinic consultations, empowered 250+ graduates through Indus Kay Sitaray (in-house school), and provided essential medical care to 27,612+ outpatients, 2,994+ inpatients, and 10,966+ paediatric oncology consultations. The efforts of our youth ambassadors ensured an investment in the future and well-being of children battling cancer. The enthusiasm and commitment of our young ambassadors have raised a remarkable number of donations. Their initiatives have facilitated access to quality medical treatment, empowered marginalised communities, and changed the lives of millions. Our devoted youth ambassadors included Aariz Rafique Raza, Simone Ramchandani and Eimaan Irfan from Jumeirah College; Abdullah Minai from Jess Jumeirah; Amna Mahmood and Moza Al Abbar from Repton School Dubai; Anisa Hussain and Enaya Alavi from Dubai British School Emirates Hills; Aaliya Masood, Disari Kulasooriya, and Rumaysa Farhan from Pristine Private School; Aryaan Tiwana, Sulaiman Habib, and Zaid Ahmad Khawaja from Dubai American Academy; Dhruv Gehani from Millennium School; Ebrahim Jalil, Rayyan Sidat, Sakina Syed, and Mina Asjad from GEMS Jumeirah Primary School; Eeshaal Ul Haq, Myra Shamim Maqbool, Aleeza Ahmed, and Nyla Sheikh from American School of Dubai; Fatyma Maleeka Jafferi from Sunmarke School; Hussain Ahmad from Gems Metropole; Wafia Wasif from Nord Anglia International School Abu Dhabi; Pim Wattanaveerachai from Gems Wellington International School; Sanvi Agarwal from Dubai International Academy Emirates Hills; Zoya Omer from Nord Anglia Dubai. Indus Youth Mentors included Kinaan Syed from Dubai College; Haider Afzal from Dubai International Academy; Emaan Asjad, Vivaan Shahani, Mohammad Daniyal Khan, Aiza Baig, and Saif Seer from Jumeirah College; Saif Shariff from Gems Dubai American Academy; and Eshal Alavi from Dubai British School Emirates Hills. Indus Leaders included Sofia Omer from Dubai College; Eimaan Irfan from Jumeirah College; Hamnah Kashief from Pristine Private School; Iman Riaz and Airah Rana from Dubai International Academy Emirates Hills and Zoya Lakhani from Gems Wellington International School. Sakina and Kinaan had the unique opportunity to visit IHHN's Korangi campus in Karachi and toured the hospital building. They visited the paediatric ward, engaged with key leaders, and gained valuable insights into the operational framework of the hospital. This was a moving experience for them that fostered a deeper sense of purpose and connection to the mission, instilling an appreciation of the monumental work being carried out. Fatyma Maleeka participated in an entrepreneurship extracurricular activity at her school, demonstrating her creativity by selling stationary packets. She was successfully able to sell her products for profit, and through her kindness and generosity, she donated all her earnings to IHHN. Enaya demonstrated her dedication to IHHN by spearheading awareness efforts at her school. She took the initiative to organise presentations for Key Stage 3 students, educating her peers about the hospital's mission and impact. Through her efforts, she inspired her fellow students to learn more about IHHN's vital work and the importance of giving back to the community. The unwavering dedication shown by our youth ambassadors serves as a powerful reminder that young people can lead impactful change when motivated by a noble cause. As pioneers, they have channelled their collective passion, creativity, and commitment to make a significant difference. Indus is truly blessed to have the support of these young superheroes as they continue to aid this incredible humanitarian mission.
