UHS Launches Department of Medical Journalism

In a landmark initiative to enhance the quality and integrity of scientific publishing, the University of Health Sciences (UHS) on Wednesday formally inaugurated its Department of Medical Journalism and introduced the Intercollegiate Journalism Consortium (IJC). The new department and consortium aim to unify editorial standards and promote collaboration among journals of affiliated medical and dental colleges across Punjab.

Punjab Minister for Specialised Healthcare and Medical Education, Khawaja Salman Rafique, attended the event as the chief guest. He praised UHS’s efforts in promoting transparent and ethical medical journalism, noting its crucial role in advancing healthcare standards. “Academic publishing forms the foundation of evidence-based medicine,” he said. “UHS is setting a new precedent for editorial integrity and research credibility in Pakistan.”

The minister further stated that under the vision of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, structural reforms are underway to improve the healthcare system, including the construction of new hospitals across the province.

Held at the UHS City Campus, the event—titled “Strengthening Editorial Collaborations”—brought together editors, academics, and faculty members from across Punjab. Discussions centered on raising publishing standards, building editorial networks, and training future editors.

In her welcome speech, Professor Nadia Naseem, UHS Pro-Vice Chancellor and Editor-in-Chief of BioMedica, highlighted UHS’s growing impact on medical journalism. She shared that 225 editors have already received training through university-led programs and that 30 medical colleges in Punjab are currently publishing academic journals. A dedicated Journal Office has been set up at UHS to train both students and faculty in hands-on editorial practices.

“The consortium offers a collaborative platform for advancing research, publication quality, and editor development,” Prof. Naseem stated. “We aim to position UHS as a hub for medical journalism in the region.”

UHS Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Ahsan Waheed Rathore officially introduced the new department and emphasized its significance. “This initiative reflects our ongoing commitment to academic leadership and global recognition in the field of scientific publishing,” he said. He also traced the university’s journey in this space, which began in 2019 with certificate courses in medical editing, eventually leading to a WHO-EMAME-accredited postgraduate diploma in 2024.

The event was also addressed by Prof. Dr. Khalid Masood Gondal, Vice Chancellor of Fatima Jinnah Medical University, who stressed that research quality must never be compromised. He called the UHS initiative a major leap forward for academic publishing in Pakistan.

Adding further insight, Prof. Dr. Javed Akram, President of the Pakistan Society of Internal Medicine (PSIM) and former provincial health minister, voiced concerns about Pakistan’s limited global visibility in scholarly publishing. “Despite our population size and scientific potential, only a few journals contribute to our international impact. It’s time we carved out a stronger presence globally,” he said, also advocating for the formal inclusion of research writing in undergraduate curricula.

Veteran medical journalist Shaukat Ali Jawaid, Chief Editor of the Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences and advisor to UHS’s journalism program, presented an overview of the current state of medical publishing in Pakistan. He called for consistent institutional support and long-term training initiatives to uplift editorial practices nationwide.