KARACHI: Over 700 medical specialists were awarded postgraduate degrees in various disciplines at the 56th convocation of the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan (CPSP) here on Sunday.

Caretaker Chief Minister retired Justice Maqbool Baqar was the chief guest at the event held at the CPSP Karachi headquarters.

The specialists acknowledged for their outstanding performance were: Dr Saqib Raza Khan (Gen W A Burki Gold Medal in the speciality of medical oncology), Dr Sadina Priya (Zakaullah Baig Medal in the field of pulmonology) and Dr Hareem Fatima Hussain (Zafarullah Chaudhry Medal in the field of surgery).

As many as 590 doctors received FCPS and 125 got MCPS degrees.

Caretaker CM Baqar praises CPSP for its constructive contribution to medical education on national and international fronts

Speaking on the occasion, CM Baqar congratulated the doctors, while reminding them of their utmost professional responsibility of alleviating the sufferings of the people of the country.

He recognised the constructive contribution of the CPSP to medical education on both national and international fronts.

He strongly recommended the inclusion of social responsibility rooted in the custodian of the medical profession alongside academic and administrative autonomy.

CPSP President Prof Khalid Masood Gondal traced the history of the institution,

while highlighting its achievements in postgraduate medical education since its inception in 1962.

“Currently, 85 per cent of specialist doctors in public sector medical institutions in Pakistan are graduates of CPSP. Similarly, this ratio is consistent in the private sector, while in the armed forces, it is approximately 100 per cent,” he said.

The college was currently supervising 86 fellowship programmes, he added.

Prof Gondal also spoke of the contribution being made by the overseas scholarship programme started in Ireland in 2013 through which 567 residents have received fellowships in 13 different specialities and have returned back to the country.

In his address, Prof Masood Hameed, the guest of honour, emphasised the significance of valuing one’s parents and stressed the importance of maintaining personal and family health.

He also urged the doctors to make positive contributions to their country and institutions.

Published in Dawn, December 18th, 2023