On 7th September 2025, the Critical Care Research Group (CCRG), in collaboration with the
International Severe Acute Respiratory and Emerging Infection Consortium (ISARIC), organised
Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) awareness session on severe brain
infections at Avari Towers, Karachi.
“Suno, Samjho, Sambhalo”, brought patients, caregivers, and doctors together to share experiences, discuss challenges in early diagnosis, and build trust between the public and healthcare professionals. Moderated by Dr. Ayesha Siddiqui, Research Associate at CCRG, the discussions highlighted three major areas that will guide CCRG’s future work: raising community awareness of brain infections and providing clear guidance on when and where to seek care; simplifying medical communication through culturally accessible materials; and strengthening consent processes in critical illness research to ensure families are genuinely informed.
The event also marked the launch of the CASCADE-iAES programme, led by Prof. Dr. Madiha Hashmi, to strengthen surveillance, diagnosis, and research on brain infections. This initiative reflects Ziauddin University’s commitment to patient-centred care and global collaboration, supported by the Wellcome Trust, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (UK FCDO).
“Suno, Samjho, Sambhalo”, brought patients, caregivers, and doctors together to share experiences, discuss challenges in early diagnosis, and build trust between the public and healthcare professionals. Moderated by Dr. Ayesha Siddiqui, Research Associate at CCRG, the discussions highlighted three major areas that will guide CCRG’s future work: raising community awareness of brain infections and providing clear guidance on when and where to seek care; simplifying medical communication through culturally accessible materials; and strengthening consent processes in critical illness research to ensure families are genuinely informed.
The event also marked the launch of the CASCADE-iAES programme, led by Prof. Dr. Madiha Hashmi, to strengthen surveillance, diagnosis, and research on brain infections. This initiative reflects Ziauddin University’s commitment to patient-centred care and global collaboration, supported by the Wellcome Trust, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (UK FCDO).
