PESHAWAR, Nov 25: Even though the government is doing its best to provide medical facilities to people, Pakistan lags far behind the developed countries of the world in this respect, and the situation in the NWFP and Fata is even worse, said Governor Ali Mohammad Jan Aurakzai.

“Just one doctor is available for as many as 5,146 patients in the NWFP while the same figures at the national level are one doctor and 1,770 patients. Similarly, the infant mortality and maternal mortality rates in the NWFP and Fata are also much higher than those in rest of the country,” he said while speaking, as chief guest, at the Convocation of Khyber Medical College here on Saturday.

In all, 193 graduates were awarded degrees in Bachelor’s of Science and Bachelor’s of Surgery.

Of a total of 11 gold medals awarded on the occasion, six went to Dr Shadab Akhtar Afridi, three to Dr Zahoor Khan and one each to Dr Dur-e-Simin and Dr Safia Rehman. The first two mentioned were also given cash awards of Rs100,000 and Rs50,000 respectively as mark of recognition of their extraordinary performance.

Lifetime achievement awards were also given to personalities known for their services in the field of health. They included Dr Nasiruddin Azam Khan, Dr SA Raza Ali, Dr M Nawaz Khan and Dr M Alam Afridi. The awards meant for Dr Zakia Minhas and late Dr Feroze Shah were received by Dr Sirajuddin and Dr Changez Hakim Khan respectively.

Meanwhile, the governor said that Khyber Medical College would soon be upgraded to the university level, which would help improve the standard of medical education in the province and Fata.

“Despite financial constraints, the government is spending huge amounts in the health sector,” he said, stressing the need to make optimum utilisation of the public funds and providing relief to people “who are already faced with a variety of socio-economic problems.”

Mr Aurakzai advised doctors to be kind to their patients, especially to those belonging to the down-trodden class “who consider them their Massiahs”.