PMA: Doctors re-elect Dr Idrees Adhi as president for a 2nd time

Health Commission Bill and security the priorities now.

KARACHI: Dr Idrees Adhi was elected president for the second time as the top slots of the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) chapter in Karachi were filled unopposed on Tuesday in its biennial elections.

He shared his successes, failures and struggles over his previous tenure. “When I became president I wanted to intellectually contribute to the profession, especially to the growing problem between doctors and patients,” Adhi told The Express Tribune. But it has not been a smooth ride. “Shortly after I was elected there was a killing spree of doctors,” he said. “Sometimes they were targeting Shias, other times Sunnis and then Ahmadi doctors became the target. Every three to four weeks I would hear bad news.”

Among other challenges was dealing with extortionists. But matters began spiralling out of control when patient’s intolerance led to violence against doctors and a damage of hospital property.

He is frustrated about not being able to achieve their goals. “But I was convinced by others to keep trying and not abandon what I have taken on.”

Adhi says his priority now is the Health Commission Bill for which he has met the health minister 15 times and the chief minister four times. But with the start of a new stint in office, Adhi has discovered new resolve to push an “all-encompassing bill” forward to the Sindh Assembly. “This bill is the need of the hour,” he said. “Patient grievances need to be attended but we need the support of laws. Also doctor safety should not be compromised.”

Dr Salamat Kamal and Dr Saeeda Haider were elected vice-presidents, Dr Qazi Muhammad Wasiq the general secretary, Dr Muhammad Ismail Memon the joint secretary, Dr Khalil Mukaddam the finance secretary, Dr Erum Kazmi the editor for the Urdu journal, Dr Syed Furqan Zafar the editor for the English journal and Dr Ahmed Bhemani as the librarian.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 14^th, 2011.