Supercourse Newsletter, February 15, 2005
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Pakistan:
We just returned from an outstanding meeting in Aga Khan Univer-
sity run by a good friend, Dr. Khawar Kazmi. One of the major
problems of developing countries is building a research capac-
ity. We have previously shown that 25% of the scientists are
from developing countries yet only 1.8% of the publications come
from developing countries
(http://clinmed.netprints.org/cgi/content/full/2000010008v1).
There are many reasons for this. Moreover, when one looks at the
BMJ or the Lancet, about 80% of the articles were �clinical re-
search� which could have been done very inexpensively in devel-
oping countries, but are not.
Dr. Kazmi decided to establish a workshop to train students in
the �art� of research and publication. We (Sunita Dodani, Janice
Dorman, Thomas Songer, Mohammed Rahbar, and Ron LaPorte) from
the US found the workshop on of the best we have developed. Kha-
war was extremely hospital and is dog, Bingo, is the second best
dog in the world (after Benson, of course). To show the collabo-
ration of AKU and the University of Pittsburgh, he took all of
us out to have Tandori Pizza, at a Pizza Hut. It was great!!
We first met the US Ambassador to Pakistan, Ambassador Ryan
Crocker. He was a most impressive person who was interested in
the work we are establishing better relationships between the US
and Pakistan in the area of prevention. Khawar and I will be
discussing with him further as to potential areas of collabora-
tion.
The training course at AKU broke new ground. The students were
outstanding from AKU and throughout Pakistan. There were also
students from Bangladesh. Most were cardiologists, but there
were about 5 students trained in epidemiology. They were out-
standing students. On day one they were saying things like: �I
saw an important case that had a unique lipid pattern last
week�, �In my case series�.�, �epidemiologists are doctors who
could not be cardiologists�, � I have 734 data pieces on 18 peo-
ple, how do I analyze this�, on day 8 there was a metamorphosis
and we heard comments �evidenced based medicine is the best way
to determine treatment�, �prevention, prevention, prevention�,
�what is the power of the study?�. It was truly a remarkable
transformation. The students were outstanding. At the breaks
they sucked the knowledge from our minds. It was most fun, espe-
cially having the students call me by my first name, Ron. All
finally did.
We provided overviews of statistics, research design, molecular
epidemiology, and many other topics. Arin Basu, the poet laure-
ate of the Supercourse could not get a visa, but was able to
give his course by running the PowerPoint, and talking with us
over the telephone. It worked extremely well. In addition, we
had two centers off site and we did voice video conferencing. We
demonstrated that we could teach prevention to 100s, if not
100s, it was really cool stuff.
We met the president of AKU, Dr. Lahka who was very helpful. He
indicated that AKU was interested in working with the Super-
course. In addition, he got us in touch with several from the
Aga Khan Development Network. This network reaches into 13 Mus-
lim countries in Africa.
We have been discussing with Dr. Kazmi as to what could be es-
tablished in Pakistan, as well as other countries, and we are
focusing on the establishment of Prevention center which would
target the rapid rise of NCDs in Pakistan and other Moslem coun-
tries. The core will be the 620 Supercourse faculty members from
Pakistan and the 1800 members of Muslim countries. This would
include initially Diabetes and CHD as well as mental illness,
injuries and disasters. There would be a specific focus on nurs-
ing schools as developed and health economics. It is very excit-
ing. There are several centers in Pakistan who are interested.
If you are interested in helping to develop these please write
to khawar (khawar.kazmi@aku.edu) or Ron (ronlaporte@aol.com).
We see the potential of a very powerful network in Pakistan and
world wide of a Muslim Prevention network, which will be popu-
lated by those interested in the improving of health through
prevention in Muslim countries.
Future: This is only the beginning and it is most exciting. We
all have �fried brain syndrome� as the result of jet lag. How-
ever, we feel good as we a global collaboration designed to im-
prove Muslim Health is on the horizon.
But now, word goes, the birth of day from darkness
Is finished, wandering feet stand at their goal;
Our leaders� ways are altering, festive looks
Are all the fashion, discontent reproved; -
And yet this physic still on unslaked eye
Or heart fevered by severance works no cure.
Where did that fine breeze, that the wayside lamp
Has not once felt, blow from � where has it fled?
Night�s heaviness is unlessened still, the hour
Of mind and spirit�s ransom has not struck;
Let us go on, our goal is not reached yet.
- Faiz Ahmed Faiz
Best wishes from snowy Pittsburgh, and Warm Pakistan
Ron, Khawar, Soni, Jan, Faina, Mita, Tom, Ezzelden, Eugene
mailto:super1+@pitt.edu