ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi has called upon medical universities to produce a higher number of graduates to overcome the dearth of doctors and nurses in the country to cater to the medical needs of its growing population.
Presiding over the 6th session of the Senate at Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University in Islamabad, the president said that expanding the pool of trained healthcare professionals is imperative to enhance public healthcare accessibility.
He emphasised the significance of retaining female doctors within the healthcare sector and advocated for the establishment of a congenial and harassment-free work environment for women medical practitioners. He also advised universities to bolster their research endeavours and seek foreign research grants with the aid of experts.
The Senate session attended by Senator Samina Mumtaz, Vice-Chancellor Professor Tanveer Khalique of SZABMU and other members of the house, also discussed the university's performance and prospective developmental projects.
It was highlighted during the session that the varsity has increased admissions to various disciplines, including nursing, and has successfully trained 429 specialists in a short time frame. The university has also secured substantial international research grants and demonstrated noteworthy achievements in medical research. Future initiatives include the launch of new PhD programmes and the timely completion of the construction of its inaugural teaching block.
President Alvi commended the university for its contributions to medical education and underscored the necessity for healthcare policies centered on disease prevention and treatment. He said that early prevention and prompt diagnosis could alleviate the burden on the healthcare system, ultimately enhancing the nation's health at a reduced cost.
The session also commemorated the university's successful completion of a decade since its establishment and its invaluable services within the healthcare domain.
The senate approved amendments to the university's employee service laws, marking a significant milestone. The annual report of the varsity was also presented during the session.