Medical education: Postgraduate students plan protest at Shaikh Zayed

Students demand replacement of Institution Review Board and Technical Review Committee.

LAHORE: Postgraduate students of Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Medical and Dental College are set to hold a protest demonstration on Monday (today) against the Institution Review Board (IRB) and Technical Review Committee (TRC), the Young Doctors Association (YDA) has said.

Dr Ayaz Khan, a professor of dentistry, has been heading the IRB and the TRC for five years. Dr Muhammad Bilal, a master of surgery (MS) student, told The Express Tribune that students had to present the synopses of their final research papers for technical and ethical approval. “The two committees have been delaying the process of approval. This delays the subsequent issuance of degrees. We want the appointment of a professor of medicine or surgery to head the committees,” he said. “According to Pakistan Medical and Dental Council rules, dentists and doctors have different course outlines. If doctors and dentists are taught different curricula, then how can postgraduate doctors be left at the mercy of a professor of dentistry? There are competent professors available in the college who are eligible and qualified to head the board and the committee,” he said.



Shaikh Zayed Hospital YDA chapter president Dr Ahsan Lali, a third year doctor of medicine (MD) student, said that the synopses were first sent to the TRC, headed by Dr Khan. “After TRC’s approval, it is sent to the IRB, also headed by Dr Khan. The research work can only commence after approval is granted by both bodies. There are around 115 faculty members. Why has the administration chosen a professor of dentistry to head the two committees?” Lali asked.

He said that they had taken up the issue many times with the authorities over the past three months, but they had not done anything.

Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Medical and Dental College chairman Dr Farrukh Iqbal said that he would form a committee to review the composition of the board and the committee. “Dr Khan is a senior doctor, from whom postgraduate students have greatly benefited. We are currently busy with making foolproof security arrangements of the hospital. We need some time to amicably resolve the matter,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 22^nd, 2014.