Karachi: A renowned cardiologist and president of the Association of Physicians of Pakistani-descent of North America (APPNA), Dr Jawed Suleman, said on Thursday 30 to 40 percent of female doctors in Pakistan left the healthcare profession after marriage.
He expressed these views while addressing a one-day symposium titled ‘Building the Link between Health Care Providers and Communities: A Public Health Perspective’, held at hotel here.
The symposium was organised by the Jinnah Sindh Medical University (JSMU) with the collaboration the Association of physicians of Pakistan-descent of North America (APPNA).
Over 100 doctors from the US, Canada and local doctors are participating in the weeklong APPNA Winter Meeting 2013 that started on December 25 and will end on December 29.
Dr Jawed Suleman said there was a ratio of 70 percent female and 30 percent male doctors in Pakistan, but unfortunately about 30 to 40 percent female doctors left the profession after marriage and for other reasons. He said that if the situation persisted, Pakistan may face an acute shortage of doctors in future. He urged the high-ups of health department to create awareness among doctors in this regard and enhance the ratio of male doctors in medical profession.
He said APPNA has started Institute of Public Health project in Karachi to promote public health, research and preventive measures to control the further spread of disease in the country. He said Pakistan has limited sources in health sector and government should focus on preventive measures rather than curing the diseases.
Chairperson APPNA Dr Zareen Fasih stressed the need of creating awareness among people about polio, measles and other diseases. She said total 75 polio cases have been reported in Pakistan which was higher as compared to the cases of previous year. She said if the situation remained same in future the Pakistani children may face travel ban at international level. She said health of mothers and children is important for country´s development and prosperity.
Health & Development specialist, APPNA Pakistan Dr Nadeem Jan said lack of awareness and attacks on polio teams are important facts behind the spread of polio disease in the country.
He urged the government to provide security to polio teams and remove socio-cultural barriers to control the disease.
JSMU Student Coordinator Natasha Mustafa said the JSMU organised the first symposium after the upgradation of the university in 2012 from the Sindh Medical College (SMC).
She said the informative and scientific session of symposium would help the medical students in future.
