College of Physicians and Surgeons celebrates 50 years

11 Royal Colleges and 50 institutions from across the world invited to take part.

KARACHI:

The inauguration of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Pakistan (CPSP) in 1961 reversed a distressing trend, in which Pakistani doctors would go abroad to pursue higher education and specialisation in their fields as Pakistan did not have a postgraduate medical institute.

However, today approximately 90 per cent of specialist doctors working in private and public sector hospitals here claim either fellowship or membership with the CPSP. The institute is still the only postgraduate medical college operating in the country, even after almost 50 years. It was with these words that CPSP President Prof Zafar Ullah Chaudhry announced on Wednesday that the college was going to celebrate its golden jubilee. The CPSP has invited 11 Royal Colleges and 50 institutions of higher medical education from across the world to take part. The events on the agenda include public education programmes, memorial lectures and social events in all four provincial capitals. The celebrations will conclude on May 20, 2012. A special commemorative stamp is also being issued.

Addressing the conference, Chaudhry informed the audience that the institute had not received any government support since its inception but has still produced over 11,000 fellows. “Previously students would stay abroad after finishing their education and very few would return to Pakistan,” he said. “But now our fellows stay in the country. They are also in high demand in the Middle East, UK, Australia, South Africa and Malaysia. “

The college started by offering five subjects of specialist study, which have now expanded to 72 subjects. The institute is also adding 16 more sub-specialties and its 14 regional centres host 171 examinations in a year. “In its 50 years, the college has never delayed a single exam, even during the times of martial law,” said a visibly proud Chaudhry.

The college has also successfully arranged lucrative jobs and recognition for its graduates. A recent deal with the Saudi Arabian government led to placements for CPSP specialists at hospitals in the kingdom. They are paid between 33,000 to 51,000 riyals a month. Four hundred doctors in training shall also be accommodated under this agreement, which will help them gain exposure and a pay of 15,000 riyals per month.

Also, according to a new two-year programme started by CPSP graduates will be considered academically equivalent to UK fellows and their salaries shall also be at the same pay-scales.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 21^st, 2011.