THE INDUS HEALTH NETWORK (IHN) ORGANIZED A PRESS CONFERENCE ABOUT ICON 2020 ON SATURDAY, JANUARY 11, 2020 AT THE INDUS HOSPITAL, KORANGI.

Dr. Abdul Bari Khan, Chief Executive Officer, IHN; Mr. Mashhood Rizvi, Executive Director, Communication and Resource Development Directorate, IHN; and Dr. Mohammad Fareeduddin, Head of Pediatric Services, Indus Hospital and Chair, ICON 2020 and Dr. Saima Saeed, Chair, Scientific Committee, ICON 2020, addressed the press conference.

While speaking at the briefing, Dr. Bari shared the journey of IHN and how ICON Healthcare Conference started back in 2012. ‘The conference will highlight initiatives taken by the Indus Hospital to address healthcare challenges in Pakistan by bringing together disparate and like-minded institutions and individuals’, Dr. Bari said.

ICON 2020 Conference Secretary and moderator of the media briefing, Dr. Ali Anwar Jillani said that medical science is an ever-evolving field. Diseases, in the next decade and century would be what is unknown today. He emphasized on research for newer drugs, technologies, and treatment modalities are the only way to cope up with this ever-advancing phenomenon.

Chair, ICON 2020, Dr. Muhammad Fareeduddin said that more than 40 pre-conference workshops will be conducted before the conference which are already progressing. ‘Pakistan was the first country to adopt United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals 2030 agenda. Indus’ ICON 2020 is committed to contribute in to the Goal No. 3 of good health and well-being for all’, he said.

He further added that ICON is a biennial conference and is attended by notable delegates from across the globe. The conference aims at disseminating research-based recommendations and will be reflecting upon and synthesizing current healthcare scenario along with identifying challenges for future. ICON 2020 will be held from January 17-19, 2020 in Karachi with the theme of ‘Building Bridges for Better Healthcare’. The conference will take place at the Marriot Hotel, Karachi.

Dr. Saima Saeed, Chair, Scientific Committee, ICON 2020, said that the conference has 38 symposia altogether over 3 days. Dedicated sessions for nurses, physios, pharmacists, speech therapy and counsellors have been deliberately included as well unsung heroes such as clinical services management. This is in addition to wide ranging clinical specialities like pulmonology, plastic surgery, public health and pathology, all designed to highlight the importance of Building Bridges for Better Healthcare.

Mr. Mashhood Rizvi, Executive Director, Communications and Resource Development Directorate said that ICON 2020 will lay the foundation for strategic partnership and alliance to help improve healthcare across Pakistan. ‘It is a great opportunity to share your experiences and best practices and to highlight the latest developments in the healthcare sector’, Mr. Rizvi said.

Dr Saima Salman, from ICON 2020 committee was also present along with other committee members at the briefing.

The conference members welcomed reporters and assured their availability in case of any query.