Pakistan’s spending on medical conferences during 2024
Note: A large number of readers have commented on Off the Record column published in Pulse International in its issue of December 1st 2024. It is a fact that medical conferences, seminars and other such academic activities are sponsored by Pharma Trade & Industry overseas as well but there exists some transparency, monitoring and accountability which is non-existent in Pakistan. Soliciting financial help and assistance from the pharma industry for such academic activities is not a crime but it should be a voluntary participation without any coercion, blackmail and threats. In order to continue this healthy debate, some of the comments from the Website are being reproduced below after proper editing to convey the message effectively. Chief Editor
None of the so-called scientific societies have any policy of dedicating a certain amount of their revenue on locally relevant clinical research. None or very few of them has a research grant committee. The societies more often than not coerce pharma companies to participate, and punish non-participants with either stopping prescriptions of their products or some other measures. It’s a very sad situation. Patients get absolutely zero benefit from such gatherings, while the society core committee pockets millions of rupees.
Further, there is virtually zero oversight of the society’s activities.
Daniel
danishstariq@gmail.com
***************************
These events are being organized in institutions as well, but the core issue remains unchanged: the funds often end up directly in the pockets of institutional heads and faculty members. This is particularly problematic in public sector institutions, where such financial transactions are less transparent, making it harder to gauge or detect the corruption. While events held in hotels make these practices somewhat noticeable, within institutions, they often go unnoticed. Especially the resources of the public sector institutions are being utilized that are tax payers money but institutional head and head of departments are getting monetary benefits. Doctors are still charged hefty fees, and pharmaceutical companies are required to pay for stalls—funds that are funneled to both the administration and faculty. The real issue lies not in the choice of venue but in uncovering the corruption of those involved. A closer investigation into major public sector hospitals would reveal the extent of the corruption orchestrated by institutional heads and department leaders. The network runs much deeper than it appears on the surface.
Noman
Noman@hotmwil.com
***************************
Agreed with Author! Trend should be changed and conferences should be held in institution with use of minimal resources! They should have more scientific element rather than social get together along with Gala dinner! Thought provoking article.
Dr. shabnam tahirsaleem
tahirsaleem30@hotmail.com
***************************
Such conferences should be combined under one body and should be held in medical colleges or expo caters located in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad. Every specialty should be allocated dedicated time to present the research papers. Only working lunch should be part of the event and no dinners.
Abdul Hameed Khan
ahkhan57@hotmail.com
***************************
The Pakistan Society of Echocardiography is holding its annual meeting in the first week of Jan 2025. I am organizing it in AFIC. No delegate/ Speaker is staying in 5- star hotel. All in nearby messes. Only working lunch boxes are being provided. I have asked all the presenters to start with original case studies and then discuss. Registration fee is nominal. The whole conference is being organized as a course. There are foreign speakers on Zoom.
We need to get away from free lunches, bags and shields. So much time is wasted on the distribution of shields. It is unnecessary. Meetings start late and speakers don’t stick to time. Conferences abroad are full of scientific materials. They start on the dot. No wastage is seen. Now, no takeaways at stalls. At best just tea, coffee or ice cream.
Shahbaz A. Kureshi
drshahbaz313@yahoo.com
***************************
Who is bearing the brunt of these 11.7 billion Rupees. Most of it is borne by public in the form of cost of medicines. The other victim are those healthcare professionals who are paying registration themselves. Who are the beneficiaries?
Prof. Dr. Rafiq Khanani
rafiq.khanani@baqai.efu.pk
***************************
I request the author to please share the data. As per his calculations 36.5 crores or 365 million per conference. But even a 3 day international conference at a good venue with workshops can be arranged in just 30 million. So I request to review data, may be it is not the correct figures.
Ahmad Nawaz
drahmadnawaz@yahoo.com
***************************
That an open corruption is going on and eminent healthcare professionals are involved. They collect huge amount of money and after the conference, it is used by the organizers. When you ask for audited accounts, they say these society accounts are problematic. Their accounts should be audited to ensure transparency.
Arshad Jokhio
Dr.arshadjokhio@gmail.com
***************************
Eye opening article, most of these gatherings are mere social get together with little or no original research work being presented. Medical profession has been infected with materialistic virus and many involved in such conferences don’t benefit the society. Doctors going for pleasure trips overseas, going for Umrahs sponsored by pharma companies is now common. Some companies even it is alleged, sponsor their personal functions to please the doctors.
Abdul Hakeem Jamali
abdulhakeemjamali@gmail.com
***************************
Facts and figures presented are alarming, although dissemination of knowledge is claimed to be for better patient care yet there must a monitoring and accountability mechanism.
Dr. Ajaz Butt
majazbutt@gmail.com
***************************
Over and above what has been stated, recreational trips for hundreds of doctors in the name of medical conferences in countries like Switzerland, Belgium, UK, Spain etc. further adds to the alarming situation. I was personally shocked when I saw GP going to Bangkok twice in one month, similarly Tukey, Baku, South Africa are other attractive destinations for these pleasure trips. Locally Bhurban Naran, other hill stations, hotels are fully occupied by such pleasure trips activities in the name of medical conference. Such activities, has effect on cost of healthcare, quality, while no worthwhile research is being conducted to improve healthcare.
In the name of humanity I request the conscious healthcare professionals to take a notice of all this, ban sponsored tours of medical professionals, divert these expenses to lowering the prices of medicines so that they become affordable.
Shah,
elkakhan3.14@gmail.com
***************************
Very important issue, needs attention of the conscious, God fearing, kind hearted doctors, pharmaceutical companies, regulatory bodies like PM&DC, DRAP. Many of us will never be involved in such unethical activities which ultimately increase burden on the poor patients. We should not remain silent on this issue which affects the image of the whole medical profession.
Dr. Abdul Aziz Zia
abdulazizzia@gmail.com
***************************
Thanks for highlighting this important issue! It is an excuse to mint money by greedy among the healthcare professionals. Situation demands an audit and accountability of funds collected by the conference organizers over the years. Now situation has gone from bad to worse since now even personal accounts are used by some to collect money.
Shamsa Humayun
shamsahumayun@gmail.com
***************************
In reply to Prof Dr. Saima Batool. This also applies to spendings incurred by UN Agencies like WHO, UNFPA, UNICEF etc. They spend billions worth on payments of five star hotels. Such huge money can be more judiciously used and mobilized on some productive work.
Safoora
safoora.achakzai@gmail.com
***************************
Yes these gatherings are mostly now became a social events.
Dr Tariq Niaz Butt
tariqniaz116@hotmail.com
***************************
Very sad state of affairs …it needs to be taken care of ..proper planning should be done for year 2025 so that we dont waste such an amount on conferences in future ..hope govt forms some strategy. We call our country third world and struggling through economic crisis…how are we going to flourish by conferences…?
Dr. Samreen Rafi
samreenrafi@hotmail.com
***************************
Indeed a pathetic & malignant state of affairs.
Shoaib Ahmed
shoaibcdr@yahoo.com
***************************
Eye opening article. We all should be conscientious enough to look into such practices. May Allah give us true insight regarding these matters.
Rabia Asghar
Drrabiapk@yahoo.com
***************************
The Unconscious and the Limper
I believe the life n death is in Allaah’s hand, he puts shifa in the medicines whether they are expensive or not. Sincerity towards your profession is a must, Allaah SWT knows the niyyah of the doctor. It really helps in finding the correct diagnosis and advising the right medication. So when the patients treated by that doctor are recovered they say… iss doctor Kay hath mai bari shifa hai or yeh doctor sahab boht achaiy hain.
Naheed Malik
naheedmalik@gmail.com
***************************
Indeed a very sagacious comparative reminiscence Sir. Ultimately , the healer is only the Creator.. In the past , the Tabbibs and Hakeems recognized they were only facilitators whereas Allah carried out the healing , that’s why they used such formulae as ‘Allah Baqi’ and ‘Ya Shafi, Ya Baqi’. At the core of the healing process lies the faith and trust of the patient and often people with simple trust/faith are the ones to heal fully, whereas complex , educated thinkers suffer the more due to over-thinking. I believe that in the near future, medical science will more fully understand this subconscious, psychological dimension of the healing process and that treatment will also develop accordingly.
Omer Khan
tentmaker1000@gmail.com
***************************
Miracles do happen, but you can’t rely on them.
Aziza khmad
azizakhmad@gmail.com
***************************
A physician has limited knowledge but should always try to help the patient and provide psychological support. A kind word does wonders and hope must never be under-estimated. You are quite right ; the senior doctor is Allah and He knows best.
Abid Ali Khan
abidkhan7000@yahoo.com
***************************
Resistance to anti TB drugs is an indication for TB spinal surgery – Prof. Amir Aziz
Very nice article, totally what I was looking for.
Akhuwat Foundation online apply
akhuwatloanapplyonline.sitex
***************************
What i don’t understood is in truth how you are now not really much more well-appreciated than you may be now. You’re very intelligent. You already know therefore considerably in the case of this matter, produced me for my part consider it from a lot of various angles. Its like men and women aren’t ascinated unless it’s something to accomplish with Lady gaga! Your own stuffs nice. All the time handle it up!
Akhuwat Loan Apply Online Lahore
akhuwatloanapplyonline.com
***************************
Thanks for ones marvelous posting! I definitely enjoyed reading it, you’re a great author.I will remember to bookmark your blog and will often come back very soon. I want to encourage one to continue your great work, have a nice afternoon!
akhuwatloan.sitex
catherine_penman@yahoo.es
***************************
Wonderful items from you, man. I’ve remember your stuff previous to and you are just extremely wonderful. I really like what you’ve got here, really like what you are stating and the best way through which you assert it. You’re making it enjoyable and you still care for to keep it smart. I can not wait to learn much more from you. That is actually a terrific site.
alldayloans.infox
traciwrigley@googlemail.com
***************************
Preventing diseases and improving health outcomes
This is an excellent reporting on an event with a commendable theme of “ Right care at the Right time”. It emphasises the famous quote “Prevention is better than cure”. The concept is to be adopted by the state as policy development so that the aware community is provided with health and wellness oriented environment.
Prof Dr. Tariq Mufti
tariqmufti48@gmail.com
