ISLAMABAD: National and international medical experts, researchers and healthcare institutions will gather next month to explore opportunities for collaboration in the prevention and treatment of genetic disorders in Pakistan.

A one-day summit, Future Health 2035, will be held on Nov 13. Organised by the Strive Eradication of Disability Foundation in collaboration with the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund, the event will feature a conference and an expo showcasing developments in healthcare.

The summit aims to promote the integration of genetic screening, early detection and genomic medicine into Pakistan’s healthcare system, paving the way for the prevention, early diagnosis and treatment of genetic disorders. Strive CEO Yasir Khan said the treatment of genetic diseases was often too expensive and, even when available in Pakistan, remained beyond the reach of affected communities.

“Therefore, the aim is to focus on preventing genetic diseases through awareness and the use of emerging medical technologies. Advances in medical science around the world, including genome sequencing and gene editing, have made disease management, physical rehabilitation and greater independence possible, improving the lives of affected individuals,” he added.

Special focus will be given to spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), with clinical geneticists and genomic scientists discussing how genetic screening and genomic medicine can support early detection and informed healthcare decisions, he noted.

“Biomedical engineering experts will also explore emerging technologies, including brain-computer interfaces, robotics and intelligent prosthetics, and their potential to restore function and improve mobility,” he said.

Published in Dawn, October 25th, 2026