KARACHI, May 9: Absence of a sound and meaningful research culture in Pakistan is nullifying a considerably good infrastructure and availability of both national and international funding for medical research in the country, said an expert here on Friday.
The situation tends to be serious in the backdrop of surge in the incidence of a wide range of diseases, largely preventable through availability of adequate, research-based information and knowledge on part of both masses and health-care providers.
“No more than Rs 8 million against a total amount of Rs 17 million earmarked by the PMRC for medical research projects in the country during 1994 to 1999 could be utilised due to dearth of proposals,” said Tasleem Akhter, Executive Director, Pakistan Medical and Research Council, speaking at the second annual Research Retreat, organized by the Medicine Department of Aga Khan University here on Friday. She said that there was an urgent need to develop a public health research network in the country to counter the situation.
Attributing a certain lack of will to strengthen the research-based activities, right from under-graduate to post-graduate level of medical education, she said efforts are required for orientation of students regarding research-based activities ultimately paving the way for capacity development for research in the country, in an organised manner.
Dr. Akhter said this is particularly required at the current point of time when growing realisation to promote educational and research activities has led to an allocation of Rs 400 million by the ministry of science and technology during recent years.
She also reminded that no less than three medical universities in the private sector, besides several medical colleges in both private and public sector and some 18 medical research centres and so forth contradict the belief regarding non-existent infrastructure.
According to her, the need of the hour is also to promote stewardship, on sound grounds, for the sake of intending medical researchers, adding there must also be adequate criterion for the same.
With regard to provision for health research system, the PMRC chief also spoke about the significance of resource development and sustainability.
While resources are available to a certain extent, these have to be utilised to their optimum again in a manner largely beneficial for the public, she said.
Earlier, Dr. Wasim Jafri, Chairman, Department of Medicine, in his introductory remarks said health problems experienced among people enhance urgency as well as a need for a pragmatic approach towards medical research in the country.
The session was also addressed by Dr. Mohammad Khurshid, Medical Director of AKU, Dr. Farhat Abbas, Faculty of Medical Sciences and Nadeem Mustafa Khan. —APP
KARACHI, May 9: Absence of a sound and meaningful research culture in Pakistan is nullifying a considerably good infrastructure and availability of both national and international funding for medical research in the country, said an expert here on Friday.
