Chairperson Punjab Higher Education Commission (PHEC), Prof Dr Mohammad Nizamuddin while addressing a two-day international conference titled "Beyond Horizons" organized by Shalamar Medical and Dental College, Lahore highlighted the role of medical practitioners in creating a healthy and disease-free society.
Dr Nizamuddin said that the prestigious profession of "Messiahi" required commitment, devotion, and service to humanity. "Though there are number of challenges with regard to facilities, resources, and others, the job you are doing is very sacred; you are an important change agent for a healthy society," he emphasized.
The conference was also addressed by the Principal of the college, Prof Zahid Bashir and renowned national and international speakers. Referring the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Dr Nizam said that health was ranked at No.3 at UN agenda which called for an integrated approach from researchers, practitioners, allied health professionals and civil society to progress across the multiple goals, thus contributing to the socio-economic development of the country.
Listing the challenges in the healthcare sector, Dr Nizam said that Pakistan was facing an acute shortage of medical and allied health professionals and facilities. "There are 85 physicians for every 100,000 persons; maternal mortality rate is 170 per 100,000, infant mortality rate is 66 per 1000 births," he mentioned.
He further said, "The recent population census has provided us a chance to restructure our health policies and targets in order to achieve a sustainable development by 2030." Advising young medical researchers, Dr Nizam emphasized opting innovative research approaches to offer effective solutions of new kinds of epidemics and diseases in the society.
"You people must focus on the changing nature of diseases and its remedies; research in this field is very exigent," he said. Dr Nizamalso emphasized on creating an awareness to achieve the targets of UN SDG 3 and pledged PHEC support for a healthy society.
"This conference is an enlightening event to deliberate on health issues and their solutions beyond the horizons; PHEC's support is always there for such events," he concluded. Earlier, college Principal Prof Zahid Bashir, in his address discussed the contemporary trends in health professional and the contribution of Shalamar Medical and Dental College in the healthcare sector of Pakistan.
He said that SM&DC was a prestigious medical education institution of the province which is catering the health needs of the citizen coming from across the province. He thanked Dr Nizamuddin and other national and international guests to grace the conference. The two-day moot, which discussed the topics ranging from pathology, general surgery, paediatrics, cardiology, gynaecology, forensic medicine, community medicine, was attended by national and international medical experts, researchers, academicians, including Trustee Zahid Hussain, CEO Brigadier Anees Ahmed (retd), COO Brigadier M Naseem Ijaz (retd), Coordinator of the Conference Prof Dr Sara Khalid, faculty members and a large number of students. Mementos were also presented to the guest.