Islamabad (Web Desk): President Dr Arif Alvi on Tuesday said Pakistan was in high need of retaining its skilled professionals including doctors and nurses, and stressed that the present situation necessitated an effective strategy to prevent brain drain.
Addressing the convocation of the dentistry and nursing departments of the Foundation University School of Health Science (FUSH), the president said that offering competitive job opportunities and creating a favourable work environment is essential to reduce the loss of our precious intellectual elite.
President Alvi said that the country invested its resources in doctors, engineers, and other professionals, however, the flight of skilled human capital had a negative impact on the economy and developmental growth.
He said that the effective way to reduce the need for skilled doctors to seek employment abroad was to create better employment opportunities for them within the country.
"Pakistan needs 900,000 nurses compared to the available 300,000 at present to cope with the requirements in the field of health services," he said.
President Alvi said that only 9% of students of F.Sc (Faculty of Sciences) Pre-Medical got admission to medical colleges in Pakistan, while the statistics were 25% in India and Bangladesh.
He added that the situation needed a strategy to set up more medicine schools to accommodate greater number of students, he added.
The president pointed out that the women doctors who quit their professional fields while in a struggle to balance their family lives was a huge loss to the country.
He urged them not to walk away from their professions and contribute towards the betterment of society.
President Alvi said that creating a harassment-free environment for women doctors at workplaces and welcoming them to productive circles after their maternity leave was important.
He advised the medical graduates to adopt the values of empathy and kindness while treating their patients.
The president highlighted the importance of preventative rather than curative medicine by educating the masses about communicable diseases and oral hygiene.
Speaking on the occasion, Director of Foundation University School of Health Sciences, Major General (retd) Imran Fazal said the institution was providing best quality dental education to undergraduate and postgraduate students covering all aspects of patient care and management.
He said that the nursing department was delivering excellent education and producing high-quality graduates.
On the occasion, the president also distributed medals and merit certificates among the graduates.
Commandant Armed Forces Institute of Dentistry Major General Nadeem Ahmed Rana, Rector Foundation University Nasir Dilawar Shah, Registrar Amir Gulzar, faculty members and parents of the graduates attended the ceremony.