KARACHI: The College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan (CPSP) conferred degrees to over 900 medical specialists on its 59th convocation held on Friday at its headquarters in the city.

According to a press release, a total of 796 and 151 doctors were awarded Fellowships (FCPS) and Memberships (MCPS) degrees, respectively.

Recipients of the gold medals were: Dr Mir Musaib (FCPS-II pulmonology), Dr Muhammad Wasim Sajjad (cardiac surgery) and Dr Sumaiya Khan (FCPS-II orthopaedic surgery).

In his keynote address, federal health minister Syed Mustafa Kamal, also the chief guest, called for a fundamental shift in Pakistan’s healthcare model from hospital-based care to preventive healthcare.

He stressed the importance of strengthening primary and secondary healthcare systems through family planning, vaccination, clean drinking water, sanitation, and environmental health measures.

Reaffirming government’s commitment to healthcare reforms, he said: “Pakistani medical qualifications have recently regained full recognition in Qatar. This would enable Pakistani doctors to work there without additional licensing examinations. The government will continue its efforts to strengthen the global standing of Pakistani medical professionals and take measures for workforce development.”

In his remarks, President CPSP Prof Khalid Masood Gondal recalled institutional growth since its establishment in 1962, emphasising that CPSP had expanded from offering two fellowship programmes to 90 fellowship programmess — the highest number worldwide — today.

“To date, the college has trained over 50,000 specialist doctors, with more than 40,000 currently enrolled in structured postgraduate training programmes,” he said, adding that the college had established training centres in Nepal, Saudi Arabia, Ireland and the United Kingdom.

“Since 2013, 845 residents have received training placements in Ireland across 13 specialties, while 740 postgraduate residents have trained in the UK hospitals under agreements signed in 2017. Currently, 474 residents are undergoing training in 31 disciplines across leading hospitals in the UK.”

Prof Hany Etieiba, President of the Royal College of Surgeons of Glasgow, described medicine as both a responsibility and a way of life. He encouraged young doctors to practise empathetic communication, support colleagues, foster teamwork, and prioritise their physical and mental well-being.

“Medicine is a collective effort built on collaboration and shared learning,” he said, while reminding young doctors that while they would experience sufferings and losses, hope was one of the most powerful gifts they could offer to patients.

Dr Marcia Clark, President of the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada alongside Prof Dr Hany Etieiba graced the occasion as the guests of honour.

Published in Dawn, February 7th, 2026