Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has said that the international community has pledged $6.2 billion for relief and rehabilitation of the areas devastated by October 8 earthquake that had hit hard the northern regions of Pakistan.
He was speaking as chief guest at the Eighteenth Convocation of the Aga Khan Medical University on Saturday. He said that a lot was to be done for the affected people. Help that came from all over the world had swabbed the wounds and has given hope to all the affected people of beginning a new life.
He said, "We are greatly moved by the voluntary participation of doctors, surgeons and nurses who took care of the injured and the traumatised by the catastrophic earthquake of October 8."
He appreciated the work done by the team of community sciences experts from the AKU who conducted surveillance with the WHO for control of infections and diseases, and additional medical services contributed by the health services component of the Network was impressive and timely.
He expressed deepest appreciation for the contribution of the Aga Khan and the many institutions founded by him, whose aid and relief operations were co-ordinated under the umbrella of the Aga Khan Development Network.
"Your Highness, we were profoundly touched last month at the international donors conference in Islamabad by the presence of Prince Amyn Aga Khan that reflects your affection and highest consideration for our people." On this occasion Shaukat announced allotment of 500 acres land in addition to the existing 500 acres land already allotted to the AKU for 'Education City' planned at the Super Highway.
Touching upon the need for improvement in the teaching of medical sciences he said that to make the medical education system best in the region emphasis on research, quality of education, training and uncompensated care for the vulnerable and the most disadvantaged should be the priority of the medical institutions.
He said that research is to pace up with technological advancement and to deal with the challenges of new diseases, quality of education to compete globally, training to update skills on a continuous basis and care for the vulnerable and the most disadvantaged should be selfless.
He said: "In this brave world where most business enterprises look to the bottom line, academic health centres have to balance it with these missions. If we squeeze out these functions, our patients will suffer." He said that the government's vision for the health sector was based on 'health for all' approach.
The strategy is focused on prevention and control of diseases, providing maternal and child health care and ensuring nation-wide outreach of public health facilities.
He said he believes that for the people to be effective recipients of knowledge and productive participants in the society, they need to be healthy and have access to health services.
The Prime Minister said, "The thrust of public expenditure is geared toward primary and secondary tiers." This approach, he said, "provides a clear shift from curative to preventive health care and focuses on disadvantaged, weaker section of society especially those belonging to rural areas."
He referred to budgetary allocations of Rs 19 billion in 2000-01 to Rs 31 billion in 2004-05 and said, "We are doing our bit by increasing expenditure in health sector, and the coming generation of doctors is to take it further up."
The prime minister asked the graduating doctors and other who are to follow them to assume their place as one of the architects of this changing health care world because they have the information and the experience that all of us need. "It is your time to lead," he added.
He asked them to remain true to their oath and make the health of their patients their first concern.
Aziz said, "You must remember that there is no room for complacency in life. Clearly, you need to sustain the zeal, the passion, the tenacity and commitment to strive for the best and to measure up to all challenges that you may face."
Chancellors of the AKU the Aga Khan in his address expressed sorrow and offered heartfelt condolences and prayed for the eternal peace of those who died, for the relief and comfort of the grievously injured and for the consolation and courage of their families.
He said: "The tragedy of earthquake raises in quite clear terms a central question for AKU and other universities in Pakistan: What should be the next areas of education to which AKU should devote itself; and, is higher education in this country preparing future generations for Pakistan's needs?"
He said: "The trustees and I are considering areas, such as architecture and the built environment, including land planning, as well as governance and civil society, and fortunately these would appear to be some of the areas of knowledge that would be required in order to face, better, a further major earthquake." He said AKU does not yet offer education in these fields but it does seem that another tragedy of such a nature would require a response from men and women educated in such areas, which have been pre-selected in the University's forward academic planning.
Addressing the passing out graduates he said, "As you now prepare to leave your university years, I congratulate you and I wish for you the blessings and deep satisfaction that can come from using all your powers in service to the progress of mankind."
The Aga Khan announced the retirement of the sitting president of the AKU Shamsh Kassim-Lakha and paid glowing tributes to his dedication, handwork and commitment to the advancement of medical education. Firoz Rasul, a successful entrepreneur from Canada, will replace him in May 2006.
He said, "It gives me great pleasure to introduce to you Firoz Rasul, the next President of AKU; and to give my warmest thanks to Shamsh Kassim-Lakha, who brought the University to its present level of distinction." Shamsh Kassim-Kassim Lakha in his address gave an overview of the functioning of the university, system of education and the quality of medical graduates it has produced.
He said that AKU would have a new faculty of arts and sciences on a new campus on the outskirts of Karachi. "Also, planned on this campus are several graduate facilities and programmes relevant to the specific needs of our society."
He said that the new campus would be the 'anchor institution' for the 'Education City' sponsored by Sindh Government, and a magnet for intellectual pursuits and academic achievements. In all, 275 graduates--96 medical graduates, 146 nursing graduates and 33 Masters of Education--were awarded degrees at the Convocation.
Besides Sindh Governor Dr Ishrat ul Ibad Khan, Chief minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim, Federal Education Minister Javed Ashraf Qazi and provincial ministers, a large number of diplomats, civil and military officers, parents of the passing out graduates, academics and elite of the city attended the Convocation.
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