Raises issues regarding Sindh’s health sector raised at Karachi Con’ 18

KARACHI- A two-day Medical Conference, Karachi Con’18, organized by the Pakistan Islamic Medical Association (PIMA), was held in Karachi on the 2oth and 21st of October. The event was attended by various renowned National and International health experts and doctors, alongside medical researchers, students and educationists.

During this event, a number of public and private health organizations were awarded by the committee for excelling in Pakistan’s Health Sector. The organizations included HANDS, Al-Khidmat, Bait us Sakoon, BIDE, NIBD, PWA, POB, HOPES, SINA Health, Child Life Foundation, Omair Sana Foundation, Child Aid Foundation, Endoscopic Suit (CHK’s Surgical Unit IV), Cyberknife JPMC and Blood Banking.

The Vice Chancellor, Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS), Prof Saeed Quraishy, whilst addressing the audience, highlighted the condition of Sindh’s infrastructure of health, and the apparent delay in adequate provision of health services to the general public.

Furthermore, he revealed that, Sindh is falling behind Punjab in terms of dispensing appropriate health facilities. He urged the private sector to join hands with the government to alleviate the hardships faced by the people of Sindh.

He downright spoke about the chronic issues that are currently being faced by the health sector, like unavailability of medicines, unhygienic conditions of public hospitals, as well as the absence of required number of qualified doctors to serve patients.

On speaking about the condition of Tharparkar, Prof Quraishy stated that, “Condition of health services in various Talukas in Tharparkar are not satisfactory and without private health sector’s help, no relief can be provided by the government alone.”

He emphasized upon establishing medical camps in Tharparkar to facilitate patients in need.

Vice Chancellor also mentioned that, sustained efforts are required to improve the health status of Tharparkar, by providing employment facilities to people residing in arid zones.

Moreover, he sadly expressed that, Pakistan still has the 3rd highest rate of infant mortality in the world, where diseases like Malaria, TB are still an endemic. He also drew attention to the growing number of trauma cases due to road traffic accidents, as public fails to follow safety rules.

Prof Quraishy hoped that PIMA’s Karachi Con 18 would prove to be a milestone in addressing health issues and finding their solutions.

Ex-PIMA President, Prof Hafeez ur Rehman discussed the importance of education in today’s world, and added that the authorities should follow the Quranic teachings to improve the education system.

PIMA’s (Karachi) President and Secretary of Karachi Con 18, Prof Atif Hafeez apprised everyone that due to our country’s male doctors leaving Pakistan to practice abroad, and females who stop practicing post marriage, Pakistan will soon face a major shortage of qualified doctors, that would lead to innumerable problems.