New PMA leadership calls for appointments of VCs for medical, other varsities

The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) and the Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Associations (Fapuasa) on Friday demanded of the Sindh government to appoint vice chancellors to all the medical and general universities of Sindh on a merit basis and as per existing laws of the province.

Addressing a joint press conference to unveil the newly-elected body and to introduce the elected office-bearers at the PMA House Karachi, PMA Secretary General Dr Qaiser Sajjad, president Ikram Ahmed Tunio, treasurer Qazi Wasiq and Fapuasa representative Dr Shakeel Farooqui expressed their serious concerns over the non-appointment of vice chancellors of the Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS) and the University of Karachi.

They maintained that due to nepotism, a lack of interest in educational affairs and non serious attitude of authorities, the vice chancellors of the medical and general universities were not being appointed for the last several months. They said current vice chancellors who had already completed their tenures were still holding offices in varsities.

Sharing PMA road map in coming days with the media, Dr Qaiser Sajjad said the PMA wanted to reorganise its branches at all the levels. “We will make sure that all branches must carry out their elections regularly in the presence of a nominated observer of the PMA Centre and get properly registered. The communication network will be enhanced between the PMA Centre and all the PMA provincial and district branches throughout the country,” he added.

He said the PMA would take the issue of falling standards of medical education and the role of the PMDC on a priority basis. “The PMA wants to see the PMDC as an independent democratic and autonomous body. We will strive together to get the PMDC bills passed by the parliament.”   The PMA representative deplored that state-run varsities, especially medical universities, mushroomed in last the 15 years, but without any planning and proper legislations. “Due to facing a chronic shortage of basic sciences faculty, the province was never in position to open and run that much number of medical institutes and now education and students are suffering,” he said.

“We will launch a series of awareness campaigns for the public regarding the preventable diseases with the help of media and the pharmaceutical industry. The PMA will enhance its struggle to get the Health Care Commission Bill implemented in the province,” the PMA secretary general added.

“Several other steps and measures will also be taken to promote health, awareness, prevent malpractices, quackery, and improve quality of health education in the country, especially in Sindh.”