45th convocation: From ENTs to gynaecologists, CPSP sends 356 specialised doctors to cure the world

KARACHI:

The progress of a nation is gauged by its social indicators - health and education, remarked Prof. Zafarullah Chaudhry, the president of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Pakistan (CPSP) at their 45th convocation. “Unfortunately, we have not been able to give due importance to either.”

Nearly 356 fellows (FCPS) and 191 members (MCPS) were awarded in the third phase of the convocation. The first two phases were held in Islamabad and Lahore.

In the FCPS category, the highest number was for obstetrics and gynaecology with 51 fellows. However, other disciplines such as community medicine and paediatric surgery had one fellow each. The CPSP offers over 60 specialities.

Chief guest, a retired judge,  Rana Bhagwandas drew ‘parallels’ between the judiciary and medical practitioners. “We are both governed by the urge to serve humanity,” he said, “along with the need to exemplify the highest standards of ethics and by making judgements that may be critical to a person’s life and death.”

He added that there was a need for research and development to formulate remedies in order to keep up with discoveries of diseases and disorders.

Dr Mohammad Adnan Qureshi received two gold medals for securing the highest marks in FCPS II and pathology.

The medals were presented to him by Gen. W A Burki. The second gold medal was named after Prof. Syed Muzaffar Hassan.

ENT

Dr Maisam Abbas was one of 16 fellows who received the award for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology better known as the ear, nose and throat (ENT) speciality.

According to Abbas, the demand for ENTs has gone down in urban centres but there was a shortage of these specialists in areas outside cities.

On the other hand, there was a growing demand for head and neck surgeons, especially in Karachi. “One of the major reasons for this ballooning demand is the rise in mouth cancer,” he said while talking about working at Liaquat National Hospital. “There are three to four head and neck surgeries a week. Each surgery takes about 10 to 12 hours.” He added that the situation was worse at public hospitals. “During my time at Civil hospital, nearly two years ago, there were at least four mouth cancer patients in the outpatients department every day.”

Paediatrics

Dr Saad Ahmed Seth received his FCPS as well as MCPS in paediatrics. He is currently pursuing his second fellowship training in neonatal paediatrics at Aga Khan University Hospital. There are less than 1,500 paediatricians in Pakistan registered with the CPSP from 1965 to date. “This is barely meeting the nation’s demand,” Seth said. “In fact 1,500 is also misleading as a majority of these doctors are either not practising or have moved abroad as they end up making three to four times the money there.”

According to Seth, the CPSP examinations are among the toughest in the world but the training is the same as many doctors prefer to look for jobs outside the country given the opportunity. “Most of my colleagues have moved abroad, many others are in the process of doing so,” he said. “Only those with no option or strong family commitments are still here.”

However, once Seth completes his second fellowship the vacuum in neonatal paediatrics may serve him well. “At present there are only five neo-natal paediatricians in Pakistan,” he said while comparing the medical profession to others. “In comparison to someone who has done their MBA and has 12 years under their belt, doctors make peanuts.”

Published in The Express Tribune, December 11^th, 2011.