INTRODUCTION

Each year Aga Khan University (AKU) organises a National Health Sciences Research Symposium focusing on a theme relevant to the need of the county, to the professional and academic interests of physicians, nurses and allied health professionals, as well as to basic science researchers, investigators and students. Over the years these symposia have gained recognition as among the premier health sciences research and education events of the country.

The theme for AKU 12th National Health Sciences Research Symposium to be held from August 26-28, 2008 has been identified as “Injury in the Developing World – from Prevention to Care”. The symposium will be held at the premises of Aga Khan University, Karachi.

Injuries are a major public health problem in Pakistan and across the globe. Burden of disease analysis has shown injuries to be one of the leading causes of loss of healthy life. Injuries rank 11th in terms of mortality and 2nd on disability losses in Pakistan. Government of Pakistan has identified injuries as a priority area in their Non-Communicable Disease Strategy published in 2004. Earthquake of October 8th, 2005 has brought forward the need for proactive approach to disaster “control” rather than a reactive approach to disaster response.

Injury Research is truly a multidisciplinary area at AKU. Currently, faculty from various departments of AKU like Anaesthesia , Community Health Sciences, Medicine (Emergency Medicine), Paediatrics , Psychiatry, and Surgery (General Surgery, Orthopaedics , Neurosurgery) are working on various aspects of injuries and trauma care research. There are growing national and international links between AKU and other institutions.

The Symposium will be a major international event, attracting delegates not only from Pakistan but also from USA, UK, East Africa, South and Central Asia, Middle East and Far East. Delegates will include government and public health administrators, policy and decision makers at all levels, physicians, surgeons, nurses, public and private sector hospital managers, faculty and staff of various universities, consultants and students.