KHAIRPUR: Speakers at a conference alleged that the Sindh government was not serious in running Khairpur Medical College (KMC) as it had been playing an irresponsible role in this matter right from the beginning.

They were addressing the ‘Save Khairpur Medical College Conference’ organised by a local social organisation here on Friday.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof Dr Saleem Bhutto said the college had to be established in 1960s, but due to some political motives, it could not be set up then. Now when the college had finally been established, it was again going through crisis due to some political motives, he added.

He said the Sindh government was responsible for its regulation and registration since the college belonged to it.

Senior professor and surgeon Dr Abdul Malik Sangri said Khairpur was the district of Sufi saints and had always been recognised for its education, art and other perspectives.

The need for establishing a medical college there was felt because the district had had a population of over 2.7 million, but it had less admission quota in other medical colleges of Sindh, he said.

He said the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) government finally established the KMC in 2012 to provide relief to the people of district Khairpur and other neighbouring districts of upper Sindh, but the very first principal appointed was an already retired officer who could not establish better working relationship with the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) and the Sindh government.

Due to wrong appointments, even the initial temporary registration of the college was cancelled, he said, adding that the Sindh government had been playing a completely irresponsible role in this matter right from the beginning.

If institutions were established with a motive of providing jobs to people in order to get votes in return, such mentality could never result in a good society and good institutions.

He said medical education was the toughest of all since people trusted doctors with their lives.

Dr Zafar Jatoi said it was unfortunate for the people of Khairpur that the Sindh government apportioned more funds for Gambat Medical College and comparably lesser funds for Khairpur Medical College in its budget.

The fact made it quite evident that the Sindh government did not want to see the KMC to be functional in a smooth manner.

He demanded of the Sindh government to increase the budget of the KMC equivalent to the National Institute of Cardio­va­scular Diseases (NICVD).

Khairpur district president of the Pakistan Medical Association Dr Shareef Panhwar said it seemed as if a great game had been planned against KMC.

He suggested that on one hand pressure should be developed on the government for the sustainability of the KMC while on the other hand, donations should be collected from the citizens at Punj Gulla chowk, Khairpur, so that the elements who were proud of their ‘power’ might see their real face in the mirror.

Published in Dawn, August 10th, 2019