KARACHI, March 9: The guest speaker at the opening session of a physicians’ symposium on Friday, deviated from the customary laudatory utterances and spoke about unnecessary and overwhelming ‘medicalization’ of life in the society, perhaps prompting some soul-searching among the audience.

Prof Manzoor Ahmed, chairman, Usman Institute of Technology, speaking at the 17th annual symposium of Pakistan Society of Physicians (PSP) at Liaquat National Hospital discussed the mechanisms involved in the rapidly growing ‘healthcare business’ in Pakistan, where the most important ethical concern, the human factor, was ignored.

Drawing up a detailed discussion on the right of an individual to healthcare and his moral duty to look after his own health, Prof Ahmed said the health of an individual was important for the well-being of the society. He advocated recovery of personal autonomy, through ethical awakening and reinforced by political action, for promoting a culture of minimal and necessary medical intervention.

Commenting on the changing concepts of medicine, the diminishing bond between the patient and the physician, and development of medical technology without taking into account health state of the community, Prof Ahmed advocated urgent assessment of the disease burden on societies produced by contemporary medical professionalism.

He accused the pharmaceutical industry of acting with medical establishment in controlling and arbitrating the healthcare system. He quoted examples of irrational medicine use, unjust drug pricing and promotion of prescribed drug addiction.

Earlier, Prof Shariatullah Siddique, president of the College of Family Medicine Pakistan, and PSP president Prof Ahsanul Haq Chaudhary, elaborated the theme “disease prevention; need of the hour.”

PSP general secretary Dr Sohail Akhter, and Dr Aziz Khan Tank, general secretary of the CFM, presented annual reports of their associations.