‘A culture of respect must be developed’

Medical Teachers Association oath-taking ceremony held at PGMI.

LAHORE:

The treatment of diseases will get easier, the more medical research and investigation there is, said Lahore General Hospital Prof Anjam Habib Vohra, also principal of the Post Graduate Medical Institute (PGMI) on Tuesday. He was addressing the oath taking ceremony of the Medical Teachers Association (MTA) and inaugurating a digital research and resource lab at the institute.

Prof Ghayasun Nabi Tayyab, Prof Israr Ahmed, Prof Anwarul Haq, Dr Sikandar Hayat Gondal and Dr Afsar Ali Bhatti also spoke at the cermony. Faculty members, Pakistan Medical Association Lahore president Dr Tanveer Anwar, MTA Secretary General Dr Ahsanur Rehman and students of Ameerud Din Medical College attended the ceremony.

Prof Vohra said the attitudes of younger doctors, patients and attendants had changed under social pressures. “We have to evolve strategies for medical teachers to improve upon methods of medical education, introduce subjects relevant to character building, improving communication skills and medical ethics.” He stressed that medical teachers must display generousity and professionalism towards their juniors. “Young doctors and students of medical science must also respect their seniors and teachers.”

He said that the new digital research and resource lab would provide students better access to medical advances. He also stressed that faculty members must write medical books to share their knowledge.

“They should guide and teach students using all their experience,” he said, adding that a good teacher could equip students with skills needed for the future.

Prof Vohra also congratulated the newly elected body of the MTA and hoped it would establish strong traditions of service. Newly elected office bearers also expressed their commitment to resolve problems within the medical community.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 16^th, 2013.