The 3rd Annual Scientific Symposium of Bahria University Medical and Dental College (BUMDC) was organized from 26th to 27th April 2013 at Karachi, attracting a large number of Doctors, Professors, Specialists, Researchers and Students, engaged in a wide spectrum of Healthcare sciences. Honorable Rector of Bahria University Vice Admiral (Retd) Shahid Iqbal HI(M) graced the occasion with his presence as a Chief Guest. The theme of the Scientific Symposium was "Health care from bench to bedside and beyond". Professor Dr. Pirzada Qasim Raza Siddiqui, Vice Chancellor of Ziauddin Medical University, was the Guest of Honor during the inaugural session and he highlighted the methodology and need for a comprehensive solution to deliver quality healthcare to each citizen. In his welcome address, Dean of health Sciences Bahria University, Prof. Dr. Syed Tipu Sultan said that; a journey of managing high standards of medical and dental college, under the umbrella of Bahria University, in a dedicated building at the Bahria University Karachi Campus, is progressing in a peaceful manner. He encouraged research culture and promotion of scientific activities for students and faculty members. He also highlighted the importance and objective of the scientific symposium. While speaking to the audience on this momentous occasion, Honorable Rector of Bahria University, Vice Admiral Shahid Iqbal said; that this purpose-built medical and dental college, will eventually collocate its three sub-components - The College, the Teaching Hospital and the Hostels. It is infact a manifestation of Bahria University's commitment to "Excellence in Higher and Professional Education". He said that we are progressing into an era of evidence-based medicine and for this we need our medical practitioners to generate research data specific for our country. He emphasized on the significance of research papers and articles in the field of medicine. He also appreciated the efforts of the principal of BUM&DC, and his team for organizing this symposium on a very important subject. The inaugural ceremony was followed by some insightful Plenary Sessions, where the Nephrology Expert Prof. Dr. Jaffar Naqvi made a speech on "Prevention of Kidney Diseases and its Financial aspects". He recommended a viable nationwide financial assistance program for enabling healthcare for the poor, as the costs of Kidney-treatment and dialysis are now beyond the reach of the common citizens. He also highlighted the fact that Pakistan needs more than Rs. 30 Billion annually to control Diabetes among its population - a disease which is the root-cause of many severe ailments. However, the total annual budget allocated to healthcare in Pakistan is only 60 Billion Rupees (approx). His suggestion was; to ensure prevention of disease with a healthy lifestyle in the community, which proves to be cheaper than providing treatment to every citizen. He also recommended financial assistance programsThe Co-Chairpersons in the organizing committee were Prof. Zia ul Islam - Vice Principal BUMDC and Prof. Nasreen Amanat, while the Scienticfic Committee for this Symposium was chaired by Professor Nasim Karim and Commodore Amir Ijaz.
