‘Resourceful citizens, philanthropists should help communities’

The foundation stone-laying ceremony of the new building for the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) at the University of Karachi was held on Thursday.

The building is being constructed in collaboration with Aftab Memorial Welfare Association next to Dr M Ajmal Khan Institute of Sustainable Halophyte Utilisation.

Acting vice chancellor Prof Dr Khalid Mahmood Iraqi, AMWA representatives, deans, students, faculty and Chairman DPT Dr Basit Ansari, chairmen and chairpersons of various departments, teachers and administrative and engineering staff attended the ceremony.

Joint Secretary AMWA Dr Imrana Begum observed that health-related issues were increasing in society, but on the other hand, people did not have many options to get proper treatment.

She said that governments were responsible to provide facilities to the public, but every citizen, particularly philanthropists, could also play an important role in bringing about betterment in the society.

“Qualified specialists, trained paramedic staff and standard labs are essential for providing better health facilities and combating against diseases.” She mentioned that everyone wanted a healthy society but hardly few people came forward to practically implement the projects.

Dr Imrana Begum added that if there were collective efforts then the society would see the positive results. She said that physical therapy was not taken seriously in our society owing to lack of awareness, education and information regarding the need and importance of physical therapists. She mentioned that the AMWA had come forward for the greater interest of society, students and faculty of the DPT and Karachi University.

Vice President AMWA Shahi ul Hassan, while addressing the ceremony, said that soil testing and the first draft of the DPT building’s map had already been completed and Prof Iraqi, Dr Ansari and the varsity’s administration had been informed of this.

He shared that Aftab Memorial Welfare Association had nominated him for the project. Shahi ul Hassan, civil engineer, had completed his studies at the NED University and was associated with the Lyari Development Authority. He was hopeful that the project would be completed in time as he did not see any hurdle in completing the construction in time.

Prof Iraqi said that with the passage of time challenges had increased in the professional fields and so had the scope of professional degrees. He urged that students should avail the facilities available in the campus and learn from the experiences of their faculty members.

He observed that demands of professional physical therapists would further increase in the coming years, and students with professional degrees and working experience would be able to grab that opportunity.