Joint convocation: Shahbaz stresses importance of investment in healthcare
‘If China and Taiwan can maintain bilateral ties so can we’.
LAHORE:
Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, during his address on Friday at the 46th joint convocation of the College of Physicians & Surgeons of Pakistan and Bangladesh, said that bilateral relations with the United States or indeed any other nation should be upheld in a manner that does not compromise national interests.
He said that pressure would be put on the government if they failed in any of the stipulated guidelines. He said that whilst “AIDS weakens the human body, aid destroys a society”. He reminded the audience that the Punjab government took the historic decision to renounce the aid of “Aghyaar”. He highlighted that Pakistan has mineral resources in abundance and that these should be taken advantage of to improve the welfare of people.
During the convocation, which hosted various delegates from Pakistan, India and Bangladesh, Shahbaz praised the efforts of medical staff during the dengue outbreak last year. He gave the example of Cuba and said that despite being a developing nation, it had one of the best healthcare systems in the world. He also spoke of the modern healthcare facilities in neighbouring Iran and highlighted the lack of healthcare investment in Pakistan over the years.
He said that medical experts should develop and share recommendations for the improvement of healthcare in Pakistan. He said that the College of Physicians and Surgeons was playing an important role in the promotion of quality medical education in the country and that the Punjab government would extend its cooperation to the college. Referring to the recent strike by doctors, he said that the transfer of doctors was no basis for a strike.
The chief minister further said that the foundation of democracy was public service, but leaders had pushed the nation into despondency and darkness in the name of democracy. He also said that the power crisis, besides causing irreparable damage to national economy, was also affecting the performance of hospitals, educational institutions and industry as a whole.
He said that Pakistan and India should resolve all bilateral issues such as the water dispute and Kashmir and that war was not the solution. He said that if China and Taiwan can maintain bilateral ties despite differences, so can Pakistan and India. Shahbaz said that both countries should rely on their own resources and understand they have to make progress in healthcare and education.
College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan, President Zafarullah Chaudhry, said that the institution was providing modern educational facilities to doctors in various sectors. Four hundred and twenty two fellows were awarded degrees and 53 fellows were given membership. Professor Rakhshanda and Dr Abrar Ashraf Ali were given honours while gold medals were given to position holders.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 14th, 2012.
Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, during his address on Friday at the 46th joint convocation of the College of Physicians & Surgeons of Pakistan and Bangladesh, said that bilateral relations with the United States or indeed any other nation should be upheld in a manner that does not compromise national interests.
He said that pressure would be put on the government if they failed in any of the stipulated guidelines. He said that whilst “AIDS weakens the human body, aid destroys a society”. He reminded the audience that the Punjab government took the historic decision to renounce the aid of “Aghyaar”. He highlighted that Pakistan has mineral resources in abundance and that these should be taken advantage of to improve the welfare of people.
During the convocation, which hosted various delegates from Pakistan, India and Bangladesh, Shahbaz praised the efforts of medical staff during the dengue outbreak last year. He gave the example of Cuba and said that despite being a developing nation, it had one of the best healthcare systems in the world. He also spoke of the modern healthcare facilities in neighbouring Iran and highlighted the lack of healthcare investment in Pakistan over the years.
He said that medical experts should develop and share recommendations for the improvement of healthcare in Pakistan. He said that the College of Physicians and Surgeons was playing an important role in the promotion of quality medical education in the country and that the Punjab government would extend its cooperation to the college. Referring to the recent strike by doctors, he said that the transfer of doctors was no basis for a strike.
The chief minister further said that the foundation of democracy was public service, but leaders had pushed the nation into despondency and darkness in the name of democracy. He also said that the power crisis, besides causing irreparable damage to national economy, was also affecting the performance of hospitals, educational institutions and industry as a whole.
He said that Pakistan and India should resolve all bilateral issues such as the water dispute and Kashmir and that war was not the solution. He said that if China and Taiwan can maintain bilateral ties despite differences, so can Pakistan and India. Shahbaz said that both countries should rely on their own resources and understand they have to make progress in healthcare and education.
College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan, President Zafarullah Chaudhry, said that the institution was providing modern educational facilities to doctors in various sectors. Four hundred and twenty two fellows were awarded degrees and 53 fellows were given membership. Professor Rakhshanda and Dr Abrar Ashraf Ali were given honours while gold medals were given to position holders.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 14th, 2012.