American Academy of
Neurology Names Dr Wasay Advocate of the Year

Dr Mohammad Wasay, Assistant Professor and Consultant Neurologist, Section of Neurology, Department of Medicine, AKU, was selected as the Advocate of the Year 2004 by the American Academy of Neurology. He was honoured during the third annual Donald M. Palatucci Advocacy Leadership Forum held in January 2005, in California, USA.

Dr Wasay has been engaged in improving public health through programmes to decrease rabies and tetanus and to increase support for stroke and multiple sclerosis. He has also organized a training programme for neurologists in Pakistan, similar to the Palatucci Advocacy Leadership Forum. The American Academy of Neurology established the Palatucci Advocacy Leadership Forum in 2003 to empower neurologists to advocate on behalf of their patients for sensible health care reforms at local, regional, and national levels. The 2005 Forum prepared 31 neurologists from 20 states and two countries to serve as Advocacy Leaders. Courses covered media training, facilitating organisational change and legislative advocacy training.

"The greatest thing, which I am really happy about, is that we have been able to do a lot with this workshop and training," said Dr Wasay, who completed his training during the 2004 Forum. Dr Wasay added that advocacy is an integral part of Medicine. "It is also a part of AKU culture." Most of the faculty members, he added, are involved in public health, patient advocacy and health policy making. "The environment at AKU has been a catalyst for junior faculty members like me." In terms of neurological diseases and care, a lot has to be done in Pakistan. "We need all neurologists and patient societies on board to make strong advocacy efforts," he stressed.

'This award is recognition of Dr Wasay's stellar achievements in advocacy of neurological issues in Pakistan and is a matter of pride for the Neurology Section', remarked Dr Nadir Ali Syed, Head of the Section of Neurology at AKU. He added, "Our University is deeply committed to influencing public health policy and generating impact by drawing society's attention towards issues relevant to our region."