Karachi: Ex-member Pakistan Medical & Dental Council, Dr Shershah Syed earlier this week expressed his concern regarding the controversial bills which are under consideration at the Department of Law, Sindh for presentation in the Sindh Assembly.
He expressed his views on the matter during a press conference held at the Karachi Press Club alongside Sectary General Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) Dr Mirza Ali Azhar.
Dr Shershah said these bills have been drafted in haste and the vested interest group is planning to pass them when nobody in opposition has any opinion about it. He said these bills will have long term impact on health delivery system in Sindh, and will also destroy the education system entirely. He further explained that in a province where the government is facing crisis in delivery of primary healthcare, these kinds of bills are only drafted to serve the group that wants to make profit out of education and healthcare systems.
He said that the members of the Sindh’s provincial assembly should assess these bills carefully and vote according their conscious. In fact before this bill is voted upon, it should be discussed in expert committees, and general public should be made aware of it as well.
He said that bills regarding the following are supposed to be presented in the Assembly: Pakistan Medical Council Sindh, Sindh Nursing Council, Pharmacy Education Council, Allied Health Professional Council and Postgrduate Medical Education Bill/ College of Physicians and Surgeons Sindh.
He said the doctors’ community has shown serious concern regarding the formation of Higher Education Commission of Sindh, and appointment of a chancellor of a private university as the HEC Chairman. He stated that this act is illegal, and against the concept of conflict of interest.
He said “We believe that it’s time to act in true spirit of 18th Amendment and instead of exploiting laws for the benefit of people, we should not use democracy to benefit those who are exploiting the system.”
He appealed to the Chief Minister of Sindh and the Pakistan People Party leadership to help in strengthening PMDC, Pakistan Nursing Council and HEC in Islamabad. He said that the government should concentrate on the health delivery system and smooth operations at medical institutes based purely on merit. He further said that the government should recognize and oppose those who are merely interested in money and power.
