Punjab Health Minister Muhammad Iqbal stressed upon the specialists to update their knowledge and skill as medical sciences are advancing day by day. "Holding of conferences and workshops is the best way to continue and update medical education," he added.
He was addressing the inaugural session of the 6th annual national workshop organised by Pakistan Paediatric Cardiology Society at the children hospital here on Saturday.
Secretary health Raees Abbas Zaidi, president Pakistan Paediatric Cardiology Society Professor Kaleem, Dr Shakil Qureshi from the UK, Dr Gurleen Sharland from Guys Hospital London, Dr Umer Galal from Saudi Arabia, MS Dr Waheed Rathor, and delegates from inside and outside of the country were present on the occasion.
The minister said that the government had already enhanced the monthly stipend of postgraduate trainees from Rs 6000 to Rs 10,000 besides increasing the number of postgraduate trainee slot from 1250 to 1625.
He said that the government has launched three medical colleges in the province beside the creation of 140 additional seats on self-finance basis in medical colleges. It has also established the children hospital at Multan while two medical universities have also been set up. He expressed concern that every 100th child in Pakistan is born with a heart defect, and in a country like ours where the growth rate is high and 50 percent of the population are children, such a large number of kids with heart diseases make it a national priority.
"Punjab government is committed to the health care of children and in this respect funds over Rs 2 billion have been provided for the expansion of children hospital Lahore," he said, adding that a scheme has already been approved for expansion of paediatric cardiac surgery at the children hospital.
Chaudhry Iqbal said that in collaboration with donor agencies and national and international institutes, research studies are being developed in the relevant medical field in the province.
The government is ready to support research, particularly in reproductive and child health, as large funds have been allocated for this purpose, he observed. He said that the present conference is an excellent way to develop human resource and to promote cross fertilisation of ideas. The minister lauded the organisers of the conference for choosing relevant topics for discussion in a critical area of concern in our healthcare system.