Aga Khan University (AKU) faculty played a prominent role at the Global Ismaili Health Professionals Conference (GIHPC), held in Houston, USA, from April 17–19, 2026, contributing their expertise to global conversations on healthcare innovation, research, and systems strengthening. The conference, organised by the Aga Khan Health Boards of the USA, Canada, and the United Kingdom brought together health professionals from across the world under the theme, “Healthcare Innovation Through Partnerships: Bridging Global Health Challenges.”
Princess Zahra Aga Khan, AKU Pro-Chancellor, attended as Special Guest of Honour, where she highlighted the critical role of health access in driving human development and improving quality of life. She underscored the importance of collaboration, knowledge sharing, and innovation in advancing equitable health systems.
The conference also featured AKU President Sulaiman Shahabuddin who reflected on the journey of building academic medical centres across AKU and the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) health systems while integrating education, research, and clinical care. Vice Provost Research Professor Salim S. Virani highlighted the critical role of partnerships in advancing evidence-based healthcare solutions. More than 35 alumni from AKU’s Medical College and over 105 alumni from the School of Nursing and Midwifery were in attendance, underscoring the University’s strong global community and influence in the health sector.
AKU faculty, staff and alumni were actively engaged across a wide range of sessions and discussions. Contributors included Drs Zeenat Khan, Regional CEO, Aga Khan Health Services, East Africa; Salimah Walani, Dean, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Pakistan; Zahra Hoodbhoy, Associate Professor, Medical College, Pakistan; and Saleem Sayani, Director, Digital Health Resource Centre, who shared insights on emerging trends in healthcare and innovation.
Leadership and systems-level perspectives were advanced by Drs Tania Bubela, Provost and Vice-President Academic; Mansoor Saleh, Founding Director of AKU’s Cancer Centre, East Africa; Karim Damji, Dean, Medical College, Pakistan; and Farhat Abbas, CEO, Aga Khan University Hospital, Pakistan; as well as Mr Rashid Khalani, CEO, AKUH, Nairobi and Mr Aziz Jan, CEO, FMIC, Afghanistan, reflecting the breadth of expertise within the AKU network.
Through a dynamic programme with lectures, panel discussions, and workshops, participants explored key areas such as artificial intelligence in healthcare, non-communicable disease prevention, mental health, climate-related health risks, and ethical decision-making. The sessions provided practical strategies to support more consistent and effective application of evidence-based care across diverse health systems.
The conference strengthened connections within the global Ismaili health community and opened new opportunities for collaboration in research, capacity building, and community-based initiatives. It also underscored the importance of integrated, people-centred approaches in addressing evolving health needs.
As health systems face increasingly complex challenges, AKU’s participation in platforms such as GIHPC reflects its continued commitment to advancing knowledge, fostering partnerships, and improving health outcomes worldwide.
