CAPACITIES, SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

With expertise in health systems strengthening, we focus on addressing social determinants of health, ensuring quality oversight,
and promoting high-risk mapping through teamwork and inter-sectoral collaboration for comprehensive care solutions.

HEALTH SYSTEMS STRENGTHENING

20 Years of Experience in Health Systems

With over 20 years of experience in health systems strengthening across primary, secondary, and tertiary levels, established effective referral systems and coordination mechanisms between these tiers of healthcare establishments. Integrated clinical care support with public health emergency responses and developed robust data collection processes from all hospitals during such emergencies. Additionally,  strengthened the emergency management units of seven hospitals to effectively handle accidents and public health crises.

SOCIAL DETREMINANTS & COORDINATION

Public Health Coordination Forum

The Public Health Coordination Forum was a highly effective model for integrating efforts across various sectors to address public health challenges. Its success in coordinating resources and expertise from diverse stakeholders, especially during epidemics like dengue and COVID-19, highlights the importance of collaborative approaches in public health management. Replicating this model in other regions could certainly enhance preparedness and response capabilities.
Recognizing that health outcomes are influenced by numerous non-health factors and social determinants, the forum was established in 2011 and active until 2022, aimed at uniting diverse stakeholders to pool capacities during epidemics and pandemics. The forum facilitated collaboration among various departments, particularly during public health emergencies and pandemic mitigation initiatives like dengue control, COVID-19 response, and polio campaigns. This coordinated approach in planning, implementation, and monitoring significantly enhanced interventions, saving lives and preventing diseases. Chaired by the Mayor of Islamabad, the forum included representatives from public health department (co-chair), environmental agencies (EPA), ministries of health, sanitation, water supply, and stakeholders from hospitals, education, civil society, business chambers, Rotary International, NIH, Unicef, WHO, academia, and law enforcement.

OVERSIGHT & QUALITY ASSURANCE

Monitoring of Health Care Establishments

A total of 100 Health Care Establishments (HCEs) were monitored using a pre-structured criterion. This monitoring criterion, based on international standards and adjusted for local needs, aims to elevate HCEs to standards that ensure optimal clinical services for patients. The systems within hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation centers, laboratories, blood banks, and allied health care services are aligned with IHRA regulations. Based on objective findings, HCEs are recommended for government registration. Trainings on various subjects of patient care are conducted.

HIGH RISK MAPPING, TEAM WORK, & INTER-SECTORAL COLLABORATION

Highly Effective Dengue Control Program – AWARDED

As the lead public health official, Dr. Hasan Orooj developed and implemented a comprehensive Dengue control program from 2010 to 2022, which was rated as one of the best in the region. This success was achieved through strategic coordination with governmental and non-governmental partners and stakeholders. The program resulted in a significantly lower disease burden, with only one-third the number of cases and deaths compared to the rest of the region. Precise monitoring and vigorous community awareness were key factors in this success.

A standout feature of the dengue control program was the annual “high-risk mapping” conducted as part of preparedness efforts. The program and its leader were honored with an award from the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry for convening an effective preventive program that saved hundreds of lives.

LEADERSHIP & ROLE MODEL

Polio Eradication Program – AWARDED

During Dr. Hasan Orooj’s tenure as Director General of Health, the Islamabad Capital Territory remained “polio-free” thanks to his tireless and dedicated efforts. He introduced innovative plans for polio coverage, enhanced training programs, added monitoring tiers, and instilled a sense of ownership among polio workers. He also adopted a special approach for parents who refused polio vaccination. The program received a special award from Rotary International.

Despite direct terrorist threats, Dr. Hasan Orooj continued to lead the program and emerged as a role model. Several interventions introduced were later adopted by reputable international agencies.

INNOVATION & CREATIVITY

International Recognized Health Equity Model

A study on urban health, conducted with the support of WHO, revealed significant societal disparities in the availability and accessibility of health services for lower socio-economic groups. Based on these findings, Dr. Hasan Orooj developed and introduced a “health equity model.” This model was adopted by the government and received international recognition, including from the US Congress Library, and was forwarded to top universities such as Harvard and Berkeley. The Health Equity Program, which aimed to provide standard health care to all regardless of class, color, creed, faith, gender, or age, was subsequently implemented. It encompassed ten technical areas: MNCH including RH and ANC; school health; communicable diseases; non-communicable diseases; emergencies, pandemics, and disasters; poverty alleviation, microcredit schemes, and health financing; behavior change communication and media; research and development; environmental health including water and sanitation; and mental health. The implementation of HEM components yielded excellent results, such as better control of epidemic diseases during public health emergencies, improved water quality leading to the prevention of waterborne diseases, enhanced status of women and disabled individuals, and the establishment of MNCH centers near slum areas.

COMMUNITY PREVENTION, RESEARCH & TRAININGS

COVID-19 Prevention & Control – AWARDED

Despite extremely limited resources, the COVID-19 pandemic presented enormous challenges. Under the leadership of Dr. Hasan Orooj, eight teams were formed and tasked with implementing the program. Given the novel nature of the virus and the severity of the disease, these teams were motivated to work tirelessly around the clock. A special team was established to conduct community-based screening of COVID-19 patients, ensuring that symptomatic individuals were promptly transferred to clinical care to reduce the chances of cross-infection. Continuous training was provided to various teams throughout the epidemic, including health education, counseling, TTQ teams, sanitation and sterilization teams, community research and screening teams, data collection teams, coordination teams, and stock maintenance teams. This ongoing training helped maintain high morale among workers, despite the risk of infection and the tragic loss of staff members who contracted the virus while performing their duties.

Additionally, a unique program of operational research and community tracing of COVID-19 infections was implemented, setting a precedent in the region. The federal Secretary Health communicated official high appreciation Dr. Hasan Orooj for his excellent contributions.

REASEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

In the entire 25 years, research and development had been an integral part of most of the programs.

  • Non-Adherence to Prescribed Antihypertensive in Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Healthcare Settings in Islamabad, Pakistan: A Cross-Sectional Study. Patient Prefer Adherence, 14, 73-85, 2020 Jan 14 eCollection 2020.
  • “Clinical Impacts of Noval Corona Virus Disease 2019 on the vital organs of human body”, JMSCR Vol. 8, Issue 6, Pages 524 – 531 June 2020.
  • “Factors and determinants influencing polio coverage during national immunization days in Islamabad, Pakistan”, Pak J Public Health Vol. 2, No. 1, March 2012.
  • Author of “Health Equity Model” 2013. Book describes disparities in a society and analyze through a study with a sample size of 770 household. A road map of health care is proposed, based on needs of different strata of the populations. “Islamabad Health Equity Model”, US Library of Congress, April 3, 2013. (Research based Monologue). Registered as an author of this book with US Library of Congress.
  • “Assessing the role of disodium pamidronate in the management of rheumatoid arthritis”, Isra Medical Journal, Volume 4, Issue 2, June 2012.
  • “Occupational noise induced hearing loss”, Isra Medical Journal, Volume 6, Issue 4, October – December, 2014.
  • Monograph; “Public Health and Sanitation – Technology Foresight”, Monograph, 2015, Ministry of Science and Technology Publication, Islamabad.
  • Besides above publications there are above 250 televised interviews on the local and international channels on various dimensions of public health.
  • Hospital Waste management of the province of Sindh 1999
  • Health Care waste of Islamabad 1992
  • Human resource health 2010
  • Operational research – high risk mapping
  • Operational research – food handlers and their practices
  • Operational research – polio data of refusals and HRMP
  • Urban HART – Equity study conducted in Islamabad