KARACHI, Oct 18: Surgeons at a conference, on Saturday, underlined the need for transfer of knowledge and technology in surgery and other medical fields to help keep local professionals abreast of the constant advancements in medical sciences.

They were speaking on the first day of 10th annual surgical conference, organized under the aegis of the Society of Surgeons of Pakistan, Karachi Chapter. Over 300 surgeons from all over the country are attending the two-day conference.

Senior surgeon Dr Badar Siddiqui formally inaugurating the conference reminded that fast development was taking place in the field of surgery across the world, however, countrymen had largely failed to benefit due to dearth of relevant experts.

He said that Pakistani medical graduates and healthcare providers earlier used to visit England and other developed countries to get training on various fields of surgery and medicines. However, he added, the number of Pakistani experts had gravely shrunk since the privatization and abolition of the National Health Services.

Dr Siddiqui said that the number of experts considerably reduced for the last 15 years complimented by infrequent transfer of technology mainly towards public sector institutions. The latest technology was only available at a few private hospitals these days, he observed.

The senior surgeon pointed out that the latest technology and equipment was very costly and rarely available, making it necessary for the government to encourage the local producers to manufacture the latest equipment in the country. He also urged the government to provide assistance and technology to the public hospitals. Besides, he suggested that emphasis should also be given on training and skill development of experts.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof Manzar Salim urged the government to provide stipend to the trainee surgeons, who were getting training at government hospitals.

He appreciated the decision taken by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Pakistan (CPSP) turning mandatory for all government and private hospitals to provide a stipend equivalent to BPS Grade-17 to the trainee doctors.

He said that the government should also extend due recognition in the form of awards to eminent surgeons and other academicians in the field of medicine.

Prof Salim also referred to the objectives of the conference and the activities of the society.

The Society’s central president, Prof Changez Hakeem Khan, said that there had been a tremendous development in minimal access surgery during the last few years.

According to him, laparoscopic surgery has revolutionized the practice of general surgery and is increasingly being used to treat disease that formally required open surgery.

Prof Khan underlined the need to create awareness among the masses about common surgical illnesses, as many a time, the patients were referred very late.

The Society’s secretary, Prof Ataur Rehman, said that the society had launched its website. — APP