STAFF REPORTER/NEWS DESK
Sarmad Muhammad Soomar, A Young Pakistani Nurse who was selected as a 120 under 40 Next Generation leader by Gates Foundation in 2019 after a rigorous process and scrutiny is also an eligible candidate and scholarship awardee for current program on Global Health and Leadership coordinated and conducted by John Hopkins University through scholarship support from Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Sarmad is a young nurses working at Aga Khan University, Pakistan in Public Health domain and pursuing Masters in Healthy Policy is an advocate for women’s health, violence eradication and promotion of reproductive health services for everyone’s better future and prosperity of our nation Pakistan. Sarmad received this opportunity and scholarship on basis of his wonderful and extensive track record of service youth and adolescent population for reproductive health awareness and services for around a decade now.
Sarmad attended this program in hybrid mode, which started with online trainings and education during October 2022, in its early phase. Later a face to face mode of interaction with facilitators and participants group of 10 people from different countries was conducted in Pattaya, Thailand during November 2022. Sarmad became part of a global team where his sub group worked on root cause analysis on the issues of Family Planning uptake and quality of counselling services. They received wonderful appreciation for their project and received an opportunity to present this at the final stage of their educational program in front on many delegates, program participants and stakeholders from John Hopkins and Gates foundation.
As part of this program Sarmad talked about his experiences related to young people’s health and youth development issues in healthcare with his peers across the globe and also participated in information exchange for developing SMART advocacy for each country and sharing everyone’ views, perceptions, experiences and expertise.
The graduation ceremony of the program was held in Pattaya, Thailand during early November 2022 and Sarmad also received an exciting opportunity to continue his visit after the program graduation ceremony in order to attend World’s largest conference and convention on Family Planning and Reproductive health “the ICFP 2022” and represent with other young people at booths, workshops, conference proceedings and leadership meetings.
Sarmad as a young person and youth representative of Pakistan is an example of mere excellence and quality professional who served his country with best possible services related to reproductive health and family planning. His innovative and interactive approach towards clinical practice, education and research regarding reproductive health in Pakistan is an inspiration for many youth and young healthcare providers.
