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The Centre of Biomedical Ethics and Culture (CBEC) at the Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT) is not just a local academic hub; it is a pivotal player in global health governance. Designated in 2017 as the first World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre (CC) for Bioethics in the Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office (EMRO), CBEC-SIUT actively contributes to the development of international ethical standards that guide healthcare systems worldwide.
For healthcare professionals and policymakers, understanding this partnership reveals how local insights from Karachi are helping to shape global WHO guidance on some of the most pressing ethical challenges in modern medicine, including resource allocation, pandemic response, and clinical governance.
The Critical Need for Global Clinical Ethics Guidance
Clinical ethics is a practical discipline that helps healthcare providers identify, analyze, and resolve ethical issues at the bedside. Over the past decade, its prominence has grown significantly, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, which highlighted complex challenges ranging from resource allocation to the use of unproven therapies.
Recognizing a lack of comprehensive general guidance, WHO established the Working Group on Developing WHO Guidance on Clinical Ethics. This initiative aims to provide robust frameworks for ethical decision-making, supporting stakeholders such as:
- Member states and health policymakers.
- Healthcare workers and facility administrators.
- Professional medical organizations (e.g., medical councils).
- Patients’ rights advocacy groups and civil society organizations.
CBEC’s Role in the WHO Working Group
CBEC-SIUT’s influence extends beyond regional training into the highest levels of WHO policy formulation. Prof. Farhat Moazam, Founding Chairperson of CBEC, serves as a Member of the international expert group responsible for drafting this landmark guidance.
This working group includes representatives from all WHO regions and observer organizations such as the World Medical Association (WMA), the International Council of Nurses (ICN), and the World Patient Alliance. By participating in this group, Prof. Moazam ensures that the perspectives of low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and Muslim-majority societies are integrated into global ethical standards.
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Name
|
Affiliation
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Country
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Role in WG
|
|---|---|---|---|
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Prof. Farhat Moazam
|
Centre of Biomedical Ethics and Culture (CBEC), SIUT
|
Pakistan
|
Member
|
|
Prof. Hans van Delden
|
University Medical Center, Utrecht
|
Netherlands
|
Co-Chair
|
|
Prof. Keymanthri Moodley
|
Stellenbosch University
|
South Africa
|
Co-Chair
|
|
Dr. Abdallah Adlan
|
NIHR
|
Saudi Arabia
|
Member
|
|
Prof. Kenneth Goodman
|
University of Miami
|
USA
|
Member
|
|
Dr. Roli Mathur
|
Indian Council for Medical Research
|
India
|
Member
|
Source: WHO Working Group on Developing WHO Guidance on Clinical Ethics Members List.
From Local Research to Global Policy
CBEC’s contribution to WHO guidance is rooted in its rigorous, locally grounded research. The center’s ability to “indigenize” bioethics allows it to offer unique insights that purely Western models might miss.
- Ethnographic Expertise:
In 2007, CBEC faculty conducted a landmark ethnographic study with kidney vendors in Sargodha, published in the Hastings Center Report. This work provided critical data on the socioeconomic drivers of organ trafficking, informing both national policy and global discussions on transplantation ethics. - Pandemic Response:
During COVID-19, CBEC faculty developed guidelines for ethical decision-making that were adopted by the National Bioethics Committee of Pakistan. These local experiences directly informed CBEC’s contributions to WHO’s broader pandemic ethics frameworks. - Public Engagement:
Through initiatives like the “Ethics and Culture Hour” (featuring guests like renowned singer Ms. Tina Sani) and the CBEC Forum (with guests like neurosurgeon Mr. Henry Marsh), CBEC bridges the gap between high-level ethics and public understanding, a key component of effective clinical ethics governance.
The Three Mandates of a WHO Collaborating Centre
As a designated WHO CC, CBEC-SIUT operates under three core Terms of Reference (TORs):
- Capacity Building: Training healthcare workers and IRB members across Pakistan (e.g., in Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir, and Swat) and internationally through the CBEC-KEMRI Bioethics Training Initiative in Africa.
- Educational Material Development: Creating culturally relevant resources, such as the award-winning “Local Moral Worlds” video series (including “Whose Life Is It Anyway?”), which are used globally to teach informed consent and medical error.
- Networking & Policy Support: Facilitating dialogue between local practitioners and global bodies, exemplified by Prof. Moazam’s role in the WHO Clinical Ethics Working Group and regular participation in the Global Network of WHO CCs for Bioethics meetings.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What is the significance of CBEC being a WHO Collaborating Centre?
It signifies that WHO recognizes CBEC-SIUT as a center of excellence. It allows CBEC to directly influence global health policy, access international networks, and bring world-class ethical training to Pakistan free of cost. - How does CBEC’s work affect clinical practice in Pakistan?
By training hospital ethics committees and contributing to national guidelines (such as those for HIV and pandemic response), CBEC helps ensure that patients in Pakistan receive care that is not only medically sound but also ethically robust and respectful of their rights. - Who else is involved in the WHO Clinical Ethics Working Group?
The group is highly diverse, including experts from South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Germany, Norway, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, Oman, USA, Brazil, Chile, India, Singapore, South Korea, New Zealand, Australia, Malaysia, and Iran, along with observers from the WMA, ICN, and World Patient Alliance. - Can I access the WHO Clinical Ethics Guidance developed by this group?
The guidance is currently under development and public consultation. CBEC-SIUT’s website and WHO’s official publications will host the final documents once they are released.
Conclusion
CBEC-SIUT’s designation as a WHO Collaborating Centre is a testament to its two decades of rigorous scholarship and community engagement. From its inauguration in 2004 with a lecture by Prof. Paul A. Lombardo to its current role in drafting global clinical ethics guidance, CBEC remains committed to ensuring that ethical considerations are effectively integrated into healthcare systems both in Pakistan and around the world.
Suggested Featured Image: A professional photo of Prof. Farhat Moazam or Dr. Aamir Jafarey at a WHO meeting, or the official WHO Collaborating Centre logo alongside the CBEC logo.
Image Alt Text: “Prof. Farhat Moazam representing CBEC-SIUT as a member of the WHO Working Group on Developing WHO Guidance on Clinical Ethics.”
Internal Linking
- Anchor Text: “CBEC-KEMRI Bioethics Training Initiative”
Link To:/cbec-kemri-bioethics-training-initiative
Reason: Demonstrates the “Capacity Building” mandate in action. - Anchor Text: “Local Moral Worlds video series”
Link To:/resources/cbec-videos
Reason: Showcases the “Educational Material Development” mandate. - Anchor Text: “Prof. Farhat Moazam”
Link To:/faculty/dr-farhat-moazam
Reason: Provides detailed E-E-A-T by linking to the expert’s full profile and credentials. - Anchor Text: “National Bioethics Committee of Pakistan”
Link To:/resources/national-bioethics-committee
Reason: Connects global WHO work to local national impact.
Sources / References
- WHO Official Page: “Working Group on Developing WHO Guidance on Clinical Ethics.” World Health Organization. (Includes Members List and About section).
- CBEC Historical Records: “CBEC is Born, 2004.” Bioethics Links Newsletter, Centre of Biomedical Ethics and Culture, SIUT.
- Academic Publications: Moazam, F., et al. “Kidney Vendors in Sargodha.” Hastings Center Report.
- Event Archives: “Ethics and Culture Hour with Ms. Tina Sani.” CBEC-SIUT Events Record, 2009.
Disclaimer:
This article is for educational purposes only, based on official CBEC-SIUT and WHO records up to 2026, and does not constitute professional medical or ethical advice; while we strive for accuracy regarding historical milestones (such as the 2004 inauguration and 2017 WHO designation) and faculty roles (including Prof. Farhat Moazam’s participation in the WHO Clinical Ethics Working Group), program details and policies are subject to change, so prospective applicants must verify current admission requirements directly via bioethics.siut.org, and the authors assume no liability for errors or outcomes resulting from the use of this information.
