Local to Global Human Development

At the time of independence in 1947, Pakistan’s forest cover was about 33%. However, this number has decreased significantly over the past few decades due to the effects of deforestation, agricultural expansion and urbanization. Efforts were made by various plantations in the 1970s and 1980s, but these measures faced problems such as lack of funding and lack of community participation. The recent decades marked the transition to sustainable forest management, highlighted by major projects such as the Billion Tree Tsunami (2014-2018), which aimed to restore degraded lands and prevent climate change, and subsequently pursue the “Ten Billion Tree Tsunami” plan. New solutions are being explored to solve these problems. For example, technology that uses satellite imagery and drones to monitor forest health can collect real-time data on deforestation rates and biodiversity. In addition, community forestry projects were encouraged to involve local residents and provide training.   Pak...

  Javed Cheema* People’s Power Lab Conditions for the Disabled Community Members in Pakistan The plight of disabled individuals in Pakistan has garnered increasing attention in recent academic discourse, arguing that a significant disparity exists in the allocation of resources and provisions for disability care within the country's social fabric, leading to increased hardship and suffering for thousands of physically and mentally challenged citizens. Several scholarly publications highlight the critical need for improved care for the disabled community in Pakistan. A 2019 study by Nazia Mumtaz and Ghulam Saqulain in the Journal of Pakistan Medical Association emphasizes the importance of expanding resources, advocating for the “availability of rehabilitation professionals in hospitals [and] capacity-building of persons with disabilities, including their mainstreaming.” The consequences of inadequate care are far-reaching, as a 2020 research paper published in Disability & So...

A country of 236 million people, Pakistan faces many challenges, including rising inequality, health disparities, and the vagaries of climate. Yet, Pakistan has a huge asset and potential in the form of burgeoning youth, who, if provided the right opportunities, can transform the country. One institution, the School of Pharmacy (SPH) at the University of Management and Technology (UMT) in Lahore, is attempting to do this by empowering youth and placing an emphasis on social service. North Carolina-based Local 2 Global Human Development was excited to recently visit their campus. Dr. Ejaz Cheema , the founding Dean of the SPH at UMT, gave us a tour of the SPH's amazing campus, which includes superb classrooms/teaching technologies, well-equipped laboratories (beautified by students), an animal research center, and other aspects of the campus.  School of Pharmacy at the University of Management and Technology is located in Lahore, Pakistan     Dr. Ejaz Cheema, Founding Dea...

  All of us have heard of an autopsy, more commonly known as a ‘post-mortem’—the examination of a dead body to determine the cause of death in cases where foul play is suspected. Medical examiners reach conclusions through thorough examination and dissection of the body. However, not many non-medical personnel have heard of a 'verbal autopsy.' During my MBBS studies, while reading the forensic medicine paper, I found the concept of verbal autopsy fascinating. I imagined what it would be like to determine the cause of death by analyzing the history gathered from close relatives. However, I had several questions: Why do we need to conduct a verbal autopsy? Why can't we simply perform a standard autopsy? Why is it not widely practiced in urban areas? Although I had read about it in books, I wanted to gain practical experience. Little did I know that the answers to my questions would come from my experience here in Kalahandi. Kalahandi is where I completed my tr...