KARACHI: Prof. Lubna Ansari Baig, Ph.D., an eminent medical educationist, former Pro Vice Chancellor of Jinnah Sindh Medical University, and Dean of the APPNA Institute of Public Health, visited the newly established offices of the Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences on Friday, March 21, 2025. Her visit was organized to benefit from her valuable advice and suggestions regarding the future expansion and development program of the journal, particularly in relation to the professional capacity building of healthcare professionals in scientific writing and publications.
Prof. Lubna Ansari Baig visited offices of Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences on March 21st 2025. On left she is seen recording her impressions about her visit in the Visitors book.
The Chief Editor of the Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences briefed Prof. Lubna Baig on the journal’s publication process, including its initial manuscript screening, internal review procedures, plagiarism policies, and open peer review system. The entire process, from manuscript submission and formatting to peer review, corrections, page setup, DOI generation, and generation of PDF files for proofing before final publication, was explained in detail.
The journal conducts an annual publication audit. Prof. Lubna Baig was also informed about the number of submissions received each year, the number of papers accepted for further processing, and the number of papers eventually published after approval through peer review. Over the last ten years, there has been a significant increase in submissions from countries like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and the People’s Republic of China, in particular. However, after a strict peer review process, the percentage of accepted manuscripts remains between 18 and 20 percent. PJMS is the only medical journal from Pakistan that is ranked in the Q2 category and holds the highest impact factor among Pakistani biomedical journals.
Prof. Lubna Baig was also briefed about the Certificate in Medical Editing (CME) and Certificate in Medical Journalism and Editing (CMJE) programs, which are run by the University of Health Sciences in collaboration with the Pakistan Association of Medical Editors (PAME). Starting this year, the university will offer a Diploma in Medical Journalism for candidates who have successfully completed both CME and CMJE programs once they prepare and get a Research Report approved. Those who have completed the CME program through CorTeach are eligible to enroll in the CMJE after participating in an online interview to ensure they have mastered the fundamentals.
Additionally, the journal is planning to introduce internships for faculty members and senior healthcare professionals. Prof. Lubna Baig was asked for her suggestions on this initiative. During her visit, she recorded her impressions, writing:
“Established in 1984, Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences has come a long way, evolving from a national publication to an internationally recognized journal of high repute. I wholeheartedly pray for the continued success of PJMS and its able and dynamic leadership under Mr. Shaukat Ali Jawaid. May Allah bless the journal, its staff, and its leadership.”
