Executive – POTA

POTA

TEAM

MS.NIGHAT LODHI

MS. NIGHAT LODHI

In late 60’s she was the first female to be entitled as occupational therapist by an NGO to promote Pre vocational skills among disabled male and females at Lahore. She moved to America and worked as assistant Occupational therapist at a well-known rehabilitation center for two years and came back in the 1970s to Karachi. She instigated Occupational therapy diploma after post-graduation at school of occupational therapy, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center. She started her career as principal/ in charge school and department of occupational therapy in 1974, she was the first and only regular employee and rendered her services as a head of for almost 30 years. Later she worked as honorary advisor to the School of Occupational Therapy Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at DUHS till 2020. Moreover, she is the first Bobath certified and skilled pressure garment expert Pakistani Occupational therapist.

Ms. Nighat Lodhi expresses her message to the future therapists and the present members;

“It was a long journey of more than four decades, started with only friend and passion to take the profession at its best in Pakistan. By the grace of God, now we are team of more than hundred professionals, with international standing and enforcing our roots to grab its position strongly in the national health sector. I feel proud to dedicate this platform to my professionals of yesterday, today and future. Keep the integrity of your profession intact and be proud to be an Occupational therapist”

MS.SHAHIDDA ZAKIR KHAN

PRESIDENT

MS.SHAHIDDA ZAKIR KHAN

One of the pioneers occupational therapists, she started her career at School of Occupational Therapy, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) in 1973. Having graduated from Karachi University, she continued education in occupational therapy. She has built an extensive career spanning several decades.

Starting as a Clinical Occupational Therapist at the Department of Neurology at JPMC, she has since held various roles, including Lecturer and Co-Principal at school of Occupational Therapy, JPMC and as Assistant Director of school of Occupational Therapy at Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Dow University of Health Sciences. Currently she is serving at Sindh Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation in the capacity of assistant director occupational therapy. Her carrier which has evolved from 1973 to the present day, reflects a strong commitment to developing the occupational therapy profession in Pakistan, contributing to both clinical and educational spheres.

In addition to her work experience, she has actively participated in setting up and enhancing the curriculum to meet therapeutic needs and focus on student development, ethics, and counseling. Her professional interests lie in faculty development and enhancing skills within the department with expertise in patient counseling and curriculum design. Formerly she has been holding the post of Honorary General Secretary in Pakistan Occupational Therapy Association (POTA) and currently serving as honorary president POTA. She has the honor of being the delegate to World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT) representing Pakistan on the global stage since 2004.

NIGHAT TAHIR

GENERAL SECRETARY

NIGHAT TAHIR

Nighat Tahir is an experienced Occupational Therapist and Certified Sensory Integration Therapist with 22 years of experience in clinical and academic settings. Currently serving as Senior Lecturer and HOD at the Cerebral Palsy Resource Unit, Sindh Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

She holding degrees from JPMC (BSc in Occupational Therapy) and DUHS (bridging TBSOT degree), as well as an MSc in Health and Physical Education from Karachi. Her career spans various settings, including rehabilitation and schools, with notable roles at Dow University of Health Sciences (clinical occupational therapist, senior lecturer, and clinical fieldwork coordinator) and Sindh Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (Head of Department, Cerebral Palsy Resource Centre).

NEELUM ZEHRA BUKHARI

VICE PRESIDENT FINANCE

NEELUM ZEHRA BUKHARI

Neelum Zehra Bukhari, a passionate, innovative and revolutionary Occupational Therapist registered from POTA and Child and Health Department Ireland, graduated in occupational therapy in 2000. Worked in variety of settings from Acute Care at hospital to School Based, Neonatal to Geriatric and Physical to Mental Health during the journey of 18 years profession. At present, exploring the world of academics, for the very first time in Pakistan, introduced Doctor of Occupational therapy at Ziauddin University.

Introduced occupational therapy in the holistic approach of multidisciplinary team at Acute care, designed the SOPs for acute care occupational therapy, and introduced family centered therapy at practice such as support groups for parents and families. Established acute care occupational therapy specialty based occupational therapies which include stroke specialist, brain traumatic specialist, neonatal specialist and a women rehab specialist.