Medical institutions should produce doctors which are not only
competent but also good human beings – Prof. Tariq Rafi
KARACHI: Pakistan Islamic Medical Association (PIMA) held its 27th Biennial PIMA Central Convention at Karachi Expo Centre from 21-22 September 2024, which concluded laying emphasis on disease prevention and highlighting the importance of primary healthcare. It discussed urgent and critical issues, at various sessions. The scientific programme was spread over fifteen scientific sessions covering topics such as science, the physician-pharmaceutical industry relationship, women’s health, and Role of AI in the Health sector. Pre-convention workshops were also part of the event which took place in six cities, focusing on various medical subjects. It was largely attended by healthcare professionals, scientists, vice-chancellors, and medical students from Pakistan and abroad.
Prof Atif Hafeez, presenting shield to Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman Jamat-e-Islami (JI) Pakistan Ameer during 27th Biennial PIMA Central Convention held at Karachi Expo center.
Prof Tariq Rafi, Chairman of the Sindh Higher Education Commission who was the chief guest in the inaugural session speaking at the occasion said that medicine is a noble profession, it serves the humanity with dedication and devotion. It is important to treat patients and also acquire knowledge which is new development in the new era of digitalization. He urged the healthcare professionals to become role models for your students. Ethical and moral knowledge is very important, and as teacher we have to play our role, we need to educate ourselves to be good role model. He lamented the lack of empathy in Pakistan’s healthcare system, despite the country’s medical colleges producing technically competent doctors. “Our medical institutions are producing good doctors, but they are not becoming good human beings,” he said, citing the prevailing “pharma-physician nexus” as a major problem. We should promote research culture which is very important to tackle the complicated health problems and also expand our medical curriculum that includes bioethics and literature to foster greater empathy for future healthcare professionals.
Prof Teepu Siddique, a US based Pakistani neurologist spoke about the importance of research culture. Research, he pointed out was important because we have to find new ways and means to solve our health problems. Research should not be confined to science but it is required in every field. There are limitations in our knowledge because we are lacking behind in research. Muslim scientists, he stated, has contributed a lot, three Noble Laureates in the sciences were born on Pakistan Soil. He described the growing burden of genetic and lifestyle diseases in Pakistan as unbearable. Pakistani people are suffering from preventable diseases like diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and diarrhea, which can be avoided with simple lifestyle changes, clean drinking water, and timely vaccinations. Many lives could be saved with proper immunization. He emphasized that in the absence of affordable treatment options, prevention is the only viable solution. He advised the public to adopt a healthier lifestyle, recommending a diet rich in vegetables and fruits while minimizing meat and oil consumption.
Prof. Tariq Rafi, Prof Tipu Siddique, Prof. Atif Hafeez, Dr. Abdul Aziz Memon, Prof. Shahid Noor, Prof. Aziz Ahmed and Dr Abdullah Muttaqi speaking in the inaugural session of 27th Biennial PIMA Central Convention held at Karachi Expo center in on 21st September, 2024.
Prof Atif Hafeez, representing PIMA, reiterated the need to prioritize prevention over treatment, noting that the majority of the population cannot afford healthcare services. Scores of ailments can be prevented with simple precautionary measures, lifestyle modifications, and other interventions. Dr. Abdul Aziz Memon President Pakistan Islamic Medical Association addressing the participants informed that since its inception in 1979 PIMA has six thousand five members. We are striving to achieve its goals in professional training of doctors, calling its members and associates towards Islamic way of life through its regular Dawah, training workshops and seminars. We have to work on immunization which is not up to the mark, our women are anemic, and we have to address these issues by making plans to make this programme a great success.
The inaugural session was moderated by Dr Abdullah Muttaqi, Chairman of the Organizing Committee which also featured an address by Islamic scholar Khalilur Rehman Chishti, who joined from the United States via video link. Mr. Chishti urged the audience to pursue both religious and scientific knowledge, emphasizing that historically, Islamic scholars were also masters in various fields, including the Quran, Hadith, philosophy, and the sciences. A well-rounded education, rooted in both religious and scientific thought, is necessary for progress in today’s world, he remarked. Former Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health, Dr. Zafar Mirza, delivered a talk on Pakistan’s healthcare system, noting that only one percent of the country’s GDP is allocated to healthcare, far below the recommended five percent. Most of the out-of-pocket spending by the public, around 70-80 per cent, is on primary healthcare, which should be part of the universal health coverage program,” he said.
Mr. Asim Rauf, CEO of the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) delivered a key note talk and warned that strict actions would be taken against pharmaceutical companies involved in unethical marketing practices.
Concluding Session
Hafiz Naeemur Rehman Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Pakistan Ameer was the chief guest in the concluding session. In his address he criticized the government and said that ruling elite was a class that doesn’t believe in cast, creed or color but their mutual interests. About 30 million Pakistani children he stated are out of schools because either they don’t have the opportunity or they have to earn livelihood for their families. Sindh government Hafiz Naeemur Rehman stated has allocated Rs. 454 billion for the education sector and overall a budget to the tune of 15,000 billion has been earmarked by all provinces.
A large number of people from far flung areas visit Karachi for health services because they don’t have proper health facilities in their own areas. Massive funds and minimal facilities are a result of massive corruption in the education and health sectors. The corruption and mismanagement in the public sector pave ways for private sectors to flourish despite the fact that the private sectors were supposed to support the public sector, he said. The time has come for the nation to get united against the oppressors, he said, adding that the unity among the nation against injustice would be a fatal blow to the selfish ruling elite. (PR)
