KMU and Friedrich-Alexander University Germany signs MoU with SHPI KP to conduct a research study

Khyber Medical University (KMU), Peshawar and Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU), Germany entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Social Health Protection Initiative (SHPI) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to enable the conduct of a research study. This study will inform the implementation of the pilot project to extend the SHPI of the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to OPD services in four pilot districts of the province. The Heidelberg Institute for Global Health, University of Heidelberg (HIGH) and I.C.U. Healthcare are also a part of the academic consortium. 
According to the MoU Dr. Zohaib Khan, Director ORIC-KMU, Dr. Saeeda Bibi, Deputy Director SHPI program KP and Prof. Dr. Landmann will be the liaison persons for the MOU, which was signed by Prof. Zia Ul Haq, Mr. Axel Klon, and Dr. Riaz Tanoli on behalf of KMU, FAU and SHPI-KP respectively.  
Speaking on the occasion, the chief guest Dr. Farooq Jamil, Special Secretary Health to the Government of KP, said that the provincial government in line with the Prime Minister’s vision of universal health coverage, is committed to the provision of high-quality healthcare to the people of the province. He appreciated the proposed scope of work by the research consortium and highlighted that the presence of the local partner KMU would help develop local capacity and ensure smooth conduct of field activities. 
The vice-chancellor KMU, Prof. Zia Ul Haq, who was the guest of honour at the event, highlighted the role of KMU in local evidence generation, especially now that the university is a part of a wider evidence generating hub of the WHO in the region. He ensured all partners that KMU, as the focal point of research will put in its maximum efforts for the successful conduct of the project, as it is a dire need of the province's population. 
Dr. Riaz Tanoli, CEO SHPI, talked about the tremendous success of the SHPI, resulting from the government’s unflinching support for the program. He reiterated that the program would be keenly observing the findings of the research studies by the consortium and committed to extending all out support to the project. The principal investigator Prof. Dr. Andreas Landmann (FAU) highlighted his decade long involvement with the various social health protection programs in Pakistan. 
He committed that the consortium will bring all its experience and technical know-how to generate evidence that has the potential to inform and facilitate the SHPI program in making data-driven decisions. He said that the consortium would look into tracking the changes in health delivery induced by the OPD scheme for all the involved parties, most importantly on the people of four pilot districts. Mr. Mohammad Arshad, CEO Federal social health protection program and Dr. Sohail Amjid from the m4h consulting firm were the other notable speakers.