Proud to be a doctor

Letter April 08, 2012
What pains me is the mockery that this once fine profession has been reduced to in advertising.

RAWALPINDI: When I went to medical school over fifty years ago, it was considered an honour and a mark of pride. When I started practicing in my home town I did so with a sense of responsibility. Now retired and living with my son in a city, I am often called upon by his friends to advice on various ailments. I do so with great care and never hesitate to ask them to consult a specialist as the world of medicine is constantly evolving.

What pains me is the mockery that this once fine profession has been reduced to. It is bad enough that doctors are failing in their duties. But the world of advertising parades men in white coats and stethoscopes to sell all sorts of things from soap to toilet cleaners to medicines. How many of them are actual doctors? Most Pakistanis take a doctor’s word as written in stone. They will end up believing the word of these fake or non-practicing doctors with potential negative consequences.


This shows a lack of moral integrity on the part of the manufacturers as well as the advertisers. Apparently there is no credible body which monitors these advertisements. How can we put an end to this?


Dr Atta Mohammad


Published in The Express Tribune, April 9th, 2012.