Peshawar (Report by Fatima Jafar) – According to Global Times News Agency Europe, participants of the 36th Senior Management Course at the National Institute of Management (NIM) recently conducted a study visit to the Paraplegic Center Peshawar (PCP). The visit aimed to examine the center as a case study in specialized rehabilitation for individuals with spinal cord injuries. Participants will use their findings to prepare reports on improving the self-sufficiency and sustainability of national institutions.
Fifteen participants from various federal and provincial services, including the Pakistan Administrative Service, Police Service, Secretariat Group, Foreign Service, Federal Board of Revenue, and PMS Group, participated in the visit. Two faculty members, led by NIM’s Chief Instructor Tariq Bakhtiar, also joined. The delegation received a warm welcome from the Chairman of the Board of Governors, Zia-ur-Rehman, and the Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Syed Muhammad Ilyas.
During the visit, participants toured various departments, including the Orthotics Workshop, Autism Spectrum Disorder Section, Private and General Wards, and the College of Physical Medicine.
Dr. Syed Muhammad Ilyas provided a detailed briefing, explaining that despite limited resources, the Paraplegic Center offers rehabilitation services for paraplegic patients and free treatment for individuals affected by clubfoot, autism spectrum disorders, and polio. He highlighted that 90% of those treated come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, emphasizing the center’s crucial role in serving the underprivileged.
Dr. Ilyas also informed the delegation about the College of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, which offers various degree programs and conducts research activities. He emphasized the importance of government financial support for the center’s expansion plans, which include establishing similar facilities in other major cities. He stressed the need for hundreds of such centers across the country.
The participants praised Dr. Syed Muhammad Ilyas for his leadership and the center’s successful self-help model. They commended the administration, calling them real-life heroes, and recognized the Paraplegic Center as a model for other national institutions.
