| 31 January 2005 | Monday | 20 Zilhaj 1425 |
Saarc summit and HIV/AIDS issue
Taming the trouble-shooters
The problem with PMDC
Suraiya's death anniversary
Conflict genesis and conflict resolution
Why be afraid of student politics?
Empowerment of women
Shoaib Akhtar
A suggestion for PIA
Insecurity on the road
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This is apropos of the news report "FCPS-II trainees to go to DHQ hospitals" (Dawn, Jan 19). I commend the CPSP and the government of Punjab for taking this step. However, I would like to say the following points:
"Health for all" is a national priority. As CPSP president Professor Sultan Farooqi pointed out by giving the example of the unacceptably high maternal mortality rate in Pakistan, we must work very hard to improve our health indicators.
About 70 per cent of our population resides in the rural areas. However, there is a high rural-urban disparity in the distribution of resources in almost every field. Educational facilities and standards are low in rural areas. Unhygienic conditions prevail.
Means of communication and transport are meagre. Communicable and even preventable diseases are rife. But the healthcare facilities are disproportionately and shamefully scarce in the rural areas.
Although the Punjab government's move will be an important and useful measure to improve the existing situation, this will not be even nearly enough. This will also have some potential problems.
It will risk establishing a two-tier or double-standard system where the rural population may be supposed to be content with having to rely on a 'junior' or 'near' specialist and never have a fully trained and full-time permanent specialist.
Moreover, the FCPS trainees may have to work as senior doctors with no educational supervisors, which will have an impact not only on the quality of services, but also on a significant and important part of their training.
In developed countries like the UK, specialist training only starts after MRCP/FRCS (equivalent to FCPS in Pakistan) and then goes on for another at least five years under the supervision of senior consultants, before the doctors' names can be entered on the 'specialist register' without which they cannot be appointed to a substantial consultant post.
One will have to be very careful and ensure that no substandard training is being offered to our specialists who already lack similar training after their FCPS. The CPSP will surely have already thought about this and even planned some strategy, but this was not mentioned in the news report.
Furthermore, the support, diagnostic and therapeutic facilities in DHQ hospitals will need to be adequately improved to ensure not only quality services to the patients, but also to provide the optimum training facilities for the trainees.
At the same time, due to the inexperience of the trainees, unnecessary use/wastage of these resources may become a problem. Authorities should work harder to improve healthcare resources in the rural areas.
The above decision is a step in the right direction, but "caution" is the word that I would use with it. "Public-private partnership" is another very important, practical and useful but under-utilized way of ensuring a better future in healthcare. Not enough work has been done in this regard.
DR S. ZAFAR ABBAS
Mirpurkhas
Saarc summit and HIV/AIDS issue
With a heavy heart we note that despite several requests from the civil society and advocacy groups across the South Asian nations (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Pakistan, the Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka), HIV/AIDS has not been included in the agenda for the forthcoming Saarc heads of government summit to be held from Feb 6 to 7 in Dhaka.
Several written representations were made to the Saarc secretary-general (Mr Q. M. R. Rahim) based in Kathmandu and to each of the heads of the six Saarc countries. Barring a few, most newspapers in South Asia declined to publish our open letter to the media, appealing for the inclusion of AIDS in the Saarc agenda.
Most ironic was the silence of UNAIDS' HIV/AIDS advocacy ambassador in Bangladesh (Prof Yunus) in this regard and the statement by Bangladesh Finance Minister Saifur Rahman that "AIDS is not an issue for us; it is being used by donors to help their consultants make ... extra money".
We were again very much surprised to see the silence of UNAIDS' ambassador who in fact was supporting these irresponsible statements by the political leadership. India, Sri Lanka and Nepal have been exceptions to a large extent while Bangladesh leads by setting an example of poor leadership in this area.
The Saarc secretariat, which is nothing but an extension of the foreign service bureaucracy of the seven nations, is yet another example of incompetence and poor leadership.
The few MoUs that exist between various UN agencies and the Saarc secretariat (including the UNAIDS-Saarc MoU) are ceremonial documents that satisfy the needs of the respective organizations' annual reports.
Can the international community do something about it before it gets too late to include HIV/AIDS in the agenda of the Saarc summit in Dhaka? While nothing concrete may result out of a possible inclusion in the agenda, we still feel a common voice will lead to greater public awareness, silence those who preach the wrong message and perhaps bring out some changes in the behaviour of the people, getting over the culture of stigma and discrimination.
Can we count on Dr Peter Piot of UNAIDS and Dr Nafis Sadik (herself a South Asian and UN ambassador on HIV/AIDS) to push this agenda at the Saarc summit?
MAK KHAN
On behalf of Expatriate Citizens of South Asia for HIV/AIDS Advocacy, Melbourne, Australia
Taming the trouble-shooters
It has become the rule rather than the exception to suspect a foreign hand in any untoward incident taking place in the country. Immediately after an incident, the likelihood of the involvement of a foreign hand is indicated.
The recent chain of incidents in Balochistan, starting with the rape of a lady doctor and then a series of bomb blasts damaging national property worth millions of rupees, are cases in point.
The chief minister of Balochistan has suspected a foreign hand in the trouble that is brewing up in his province, absolving himself of his responsibility. He should know that he is responsible for all that happens or does not happen in his province.
The only reason for this lawlessness is poor governance. Balochistan comprises various sectors still governed by Baloch sardars like the Bugtis, Marris, Mengals, Jamalis, Jogezais, Zehris, Magsis, Bizenjos and Raisanis.
They all have their followings in their areas and have full control over them. Some of them even have their own private armies. The British government used to give them annual grants when they ruled the subcontinent to control various tribal regions.
This practice continued even after independence and this is how they became overlords. If they are given development funds for the uplift of the poor people of their area, the money goes into their own kitty and nothing is spent on the development of their areas.
These chieftains charge taxes from their own clan people and those who refuse to pay are put in private jails. Every tribal chief wants to become either governor or chief minister or minister.
If one fails to get any worthwhile appointment, one tries to play mis chiefs so that the government comes down to him with bargain. The government should not give in. As long as the sardari system in Balochistan is not rooted out, these problems will remain.
MUHAMMAD AZHAR KHWAJA
Lahore Cantt
The problem with PMDC
At a time when it is the focal point of much unwelcome publicity from all quarters Mr S. Ehtram Ali, former secretary of the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC), has suddenly recalled (Dawn, Jan 27) one of the many sections of the PMDC Ordinance of 1962 that have not been implemented by either the council or vested interests such as the federal government itself.
Incidentally, till very recently the health ministry had successive DGs as high-powered members and council presidents. As noted in clause (h) the PMDC has always had a legal member with the status of a higher court judge whose prime function has been to help extricate it from the messes it constantly puts itself into.
Amusingly, the legal member has remained unaware of the terms of the ordinance that did not suit the genius of the executive. Like a resurrected oracle Mr Ali has now confirmed that private sector degree-conferring dental/medical institutions "are entitled to representation on the council".
Currently, with the exception of the Aga Khan University which for entirely different reasons recently achieved representation of private sector institutions, 57 institutions (to be specific) have some form of representation in the Council.
For this privilege they pay fortunes annually. Simply put, this is why the PMDC does not want its ordinance followed. Somewhat like the Constitution of Pakistan...
The only flaw in Mr Ehtram Ali's revelation is that as Pakistan's longest serving federal secretary in any single post he was responsible for the PMDC's affairs since its inception in 1962 to a few years ago. Now that he is not in the corridors of the absolute power he wielded, it is most interesting how he remembers the fundamental rules he ignored.
DR MERVYN HOSEIN
Karachi
Suraiya's death anniversary
Jan 31 marks the first death anniversary of the legendary singer-actor Suraiya. There has been no one like her and I am reminded of what your paper said about her while reporting her death: "Moving fans to frenzy, breaking hearts and box-office records at her peak, Suraiya generated hysteria comparable to any living legend."
Everything about her was extraordinary. There was an air of mystique abut her voice and her appearance. The voice was lilting and honey-soaked and her eyes, indeed the most striking features of her charming face, were mesmerising.
K.L. Saigal, whose place as the un crowned king in the world of film music remains unchallenged, was so impressed with her voice that he recommended that film makers teamed them up, and so they did.
Like Saigal, Suraiya also excelled in singing Ghalib. Who can forget her three songs from Sohrab Modi's classic Mirza Ghalib - Nukta cheen hai gham-i-dil, Ye na thi hamari qismet and Dil-i-nadaan tujhe huwa kiya hai (a dulcet duet with Talat Mahmood)? Then, of course, there was her great naat from Dard, tuned by Naushad Beech bhunwar mein aan phansa hai dil ka safeena, Shah-i-Madina.
SANAULLAH NOOR
Karachi
Conflict genesis and conflict resolution
Professor John W. Burton, author of the famous work Conflict and Communication, and mentor of the Centre for the Analysis of Conflict at University College, London, has argued that if a person cannot ful fill his basic human needs one way, he will attempt to do so in other ways.
If he still cannot do so within the "status-quo system", he may create "parallel revolutionary systems" for doing so. In this backdrop, one can recall the creation and maintenance of the gang subcultures or the parallel structures set up by the Kosovar Albanians after the abrogation of Kosovo's autonomy in 1989, or one can notice the current revolutionary tides in politically deprived areas of the world.
Hence, we may be reminded of the longer-term, dysfunctional consequences for all concerned if majorities (in-groups) attempt to disenfranchize, undermine, eliminate or constrain minorities (out-groups) from "being all that they can be".
Current examples of this "ideological parochialism" include Israel's war with its Palestinian population, India's war with the Kashmiri population and Russia's war with its Chechen population.
What does the international community expect from the Palestinians and the Kashmiris after 57 years of consistent denial of their needs for identity, recognition and security? And what does the world expects from the Chechens who also seek their fundamental right of freedom from Russian tutelage?
Professor Burton says: "A psychologist makes one, a sociologist another, politicians yet others according to their specific knowledge and interests. Limited ideologies and belief systems influence all. This lack of a holistic view obviously leads to superficial, false and often damaging policy decisions.
Trying to constrain actors from celebrating who they are, from being recognized with respect and dignity, and from being secure from the cruel, barbaric treatment meted out to them solely because of their involuntary membership in certain racial, ethnic, religious and/or other groups, may turn out to be a catastrophic disaster for all concerned in the long run.
This may turn out to be the case, no matter how apparently expeditious, functional, 'cheap' or otherwise justifiable the constraints may be in the short run." The conflicts deeply rooted in Palestine, Kashmir and Chechnya are of such character that no suppressive means will contain them.
Such attempts will lead to exponential increases in conflict while precipitating an upheaval. And it is within this frame of reference that the Key political forces - the US, the EU, the UN and Russia - should attempt conflict resolution of political disputes in a more pragmatic and humanistic manner.
How can by any established norms of human freedom and justice as guaranteed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of Dec 10, 1948, and adopted by the General Assembly, the question of self-determination be set aside?
S. Q. AFZAL RIZVI
Karachi
Why be afraid of student politics?
Mr Adam Pal (Jan 27) appears to suggest that student politics in Pakistani universities is similar to student politics in Europe (going by the few examples given in his letter). This is not true.
In Europe, each university has a students' union and all students are part of that union. This is a non-political body and is concerned with the welfare of the students, dealing with issues which could be social, emotional, psychological, financial, or those of accommodation, examination, study, access to facilities, etc.
Student politics in Pakistani universities is just the opposite. It has nothing to do with student welfare, rather their concern is their parent political party.
The result is that vice-chancellors of Pakistani universities cannot even hire competent teachers and fire the incompetent ones if the student leaders do not approve of these actions.
I have seen this happening at Punjab University and I am not afraid to say that it is happening in all government-run universities in Pakistan. It is not the vice-chancellor who is running Pakistani universities but the student politicians.
ASHAR J. KHOKHAR
Leeds, UK
Empowerment of women
This has reference to Dr Ghazy Mujahid's letter "Women's empowerment" (Jan 2). He has complained of "various types of men" lined up in the queue at the counter meant for "unaccompanied ladies and children" at Karachi airport.
Maybe he did not know who they were, but I know by personal experience. These "various types of men" are khepias who shuttle between the Gulf countries and Karachi airport.
A couple of weeks ago, when I was checking in at Seeb International Airport, Muscat, I noticed some six or seven young men, all clad in T-shirts, jeans and canvas shoes, supervised by an elderly man, moving around and approaching almost every passenger travelling light to include one bag of seven to eight kg (all identical-cricket kit type) in their baggage and oblige.
They would take care of it at Karachi airport. Some did oblige them. When I was in the plane, they were there enjoying themselves and looking satisfied with their score.
And again when I was waiting in the immigration line, they had all lined up behind the counter for "unaccompanied ladies and children" led by their leader. Within no time they had all disappeared.
Needless to say, they may have some sort of arrangement with the immigration authorities - the kind that exists in every walk of life in our country - and not for nothing.
HAJI ASHFAQ
Muscat
Shoaib Akhtar
Shoaib Akhtar takes forever to bowl an over, thus contributing to a slow over-rate that penalizes his team. He has neither the stamina nor the level of fitness to sustain his long run-up and when he does bowl he delivers a very high percentage of extras.
The Rawalpindi Express is the Anna Kournikova of cricket - known more for his activities off the field than contribution on it. The Pakistan Cricket Board has spent a fortune pampering him, yet he remains a rebel. It is time he was put out to pasture.
AKHTAR ISMAIL
Karachi
A suggestion for PIA
I was a chance passenger on PK-300 on Dec 31, 2004. What I observed at the boarding counter confirmed as to why the national carrier should run at a loss. The flight had plenty of seats available to carry more than double the number of passengers waiting in the queue for their destination, Islamabad. One single counter looked after both chance passengers and non-revenue passengers.
However, there was only one PIA staff, who could manage about 10-12 passengers and the remaining more than 20 passengers were informed that the flight had closed. He said plenty of seats were available, but, as the flight was closed, he could not help anyone.
The question is, why have we changed the system of opening all counters for chance passengers half an hour before the flight? Why can't we have efficient staff who can handle a larger number or passengers? Why can't we have more than one counter for chance passengers, particularly when a flight is not fully booked?
I would request the authorities to consider opening all counters for chance passengers half an hour before departure time when the flight is not fully booked and to have more than one counter.
c. Employing trained and efficient staff for accommodating more passengers in a given time.
SAFDAR JAH
Karachi
Insecurity on the road
Fast moving vehicles in Zaman Town, also known as Korangi No. 4, Karachi, pose a serious threat to the lives of both pedestrians and passengers. Not a day passes without an accident.
This is because of the absence of any road humps on the main road. Crossing the road is quite risky, especially for children and women. Slow riders too worry because the fast ones are unpredictable and have developed a tendency to terrorize other users of the road.
The authorities would do well to build road humps to keep speeding vehicles in check and provide a sense of security to all road users.
ADNAN AKHTAR
Karachi
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