ISLAMABAD:Vice Chancellor Health Services Academy (HSA) Prof. Shahzad Ali Khan said on Sunday that kind words, a soft voice, and empathy were the perfect recipe for curing patients, while the arrogance of physicians and healthcare workers makes it difficult to effectively treat sick people.
He was speaking to participants of an event in which a thematic calendar titled ‘Languages of Love’ was launched.
The 25th thematic calendar, titled Mohabat Ki Zubaneyn, carrying an introduction to the 12 leading languages spoken in Pakistan, has been prepared by the Jahan-e-Maseeha Adbi Forum (JMAF).
Prof. Shahzad Ali Khan said healthcare providers need to use kind words and show empathy towards patients, as people only go to hospitals when they are in pain and require love and affection in addition to proper medical treatment.
He maintained that pain and agony compels a sick person to go to a healthcare provider, but the patient equally needs empathy and kindness in addition to proper medical treatment for diseases.
“Studies have shown that kindness and empathy fuel the recovery of the patients, while arrogance, harshness, and a cold attitude by healthcare providers often delay recovery and even result in the deaths of the patients,” he observed.
Lauding the Jahan-e-Maseeha Adbi Forum, he said there was a saying that hospital walls have heard more prayers than worship places, including mosques, churches, and temples, and urged healthcare providers to talk softly to patients and their attendants who need encouragement and empathy.
He maintained that fine arts have an important connection with scientific innovations as most of the scientific innovations came from Eastern Europe, which was the hub of art and literature, and urged doctors, nurses, and paramedics to spare some time for studying literature, listening to music, and indulging in some healthy activity.
Advising healthcare providers, especially doctors and nurses, to learn as many languages as possible, he said talking to patients and their attendants in their own languages also increases their confidence in healthcare providers, adding that nowadays people are losing their faith in doctors and healthcare providers due to their commercial attitude and approach.
A Mushaira was also held at the unveiling ceremony of the thematic calendar, which was presided over by renowned poet Iftikhar Arif, while several other poets, including Inam-ul-Haq Javed, Afzal Khan, and Ajmal Siraj, also presented their poetry and verses.
Iftikhar Arif said it was commendable to see some people and organisations striving hard to promote art, literature, book reading culture, poetry, and linguistics in the country.
Prominent poet, journalist, and linguist Ajmal Siraj said after a year-long research, they had come up with a thematic calendar on the theme of Pakistani languages, saying their research revealed that most of the regional languages in Pakistan were not only stable, but they were evolving and progressing with the creation of literature and poetry in them.
He maintained that Pakistani regional languages were playing an important role in cultural diversity and keeping the country united, adding that as a multi-lingual country, Pakistan was contributing to the high quality of literature and poetry globally.
Deputy CEO of the pharmaceutical firm PharmEvo, Syed Jamshaid Ahmed, said his company was making efforts to promote the soft image of Pakistan and promote ethics in the field of medicine marketing.
Published in Dawn, December 18th, 2023
