HYDERABAD, Dec 12: An eminent physician of the country, Dr Chaudhry Ali Mohammad, has said that with increasing intrusions of high technology in medicine, the contact of patients with doctors is becoming more and more formal and impersonal, leaving a little time to establish doctor-patient relationship.

He was speaking as a chief guest at the 16th biennial International Congress of Cardiology organized by the local chapter of the Pakistan Cardiac Society at the Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences Jamshoro campus on Friday.

Dr Chaudhry said the patient did not know as to who was his doctor — general physician, general cardiologist, cardiac electro physiologist or cardiac surgeon. He said each technologist did his/her procedure and pushed the patient to the next in line.

He said there was no communication between different sub- specialities of cardiology each disposing of the patient with his print out.

Dr Chaudhry recalled the idea of a national cardiac forum was first conceived at Jamshoro in 1962 which matured into the formation of Pakistan Cardiac Society in 1966. He said it was again at Jamshoro in 2003 that a tradition of inviting high government dignitaries had been parted with hopefully for the good of medicine in general and cardiology in particular.

He said doctors should devise, adapt and teach the practice of cardiology consistent with our needs and resources. Centres of Excellences, he said, were desirable for teaching and research so that we may not lag behind in the fast advancing medical discipline.

The convenor of the conference, Prof Nazeer A. Memon, in his welcome address said history was made in Hyderabad today.

A large number of doctors from all over the country including two from Nepal four from Bangladesh and one each from Sri Lanka, USA and UK were attending the conference.