LAHORE, Nov 8: The Punjab government has decided in principle to start FCPS classes at DHQ hospitals to overcome the shortage of specialist doctors in the province. The trainee specialist doctors of final year will also be provided stipend.

Punjab Health Minister Dr Tahir Ali Javed has directed the health department to submit a list of 10 DHQs to the CPSP within a couple of days to start the process of affiliation with the college. He also asked the department to prepare a summary in this regard for the grant of formal approval by the chief minister.

The minister was chairing a meeting here on Monday, which was attended by Punjab health secretary Sohail Ahmad, College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan (CPSP) vice-president Prof Dr Zafarullah Chaudhry, Prof Dr Sibtul Hasnain, Prof Dr Farrukh Zaman, Prof Dr Latif Malik and other officials concerned.

The meeting was told that the CPSP had enhanced the training period of specialist trainee doctors from three to four years. Considering the situation, the meeting decided to give stipend to the final year trainee doctors.

Dr Javed said the CM had already enhanced FCPS Part-II trainees' stipend from Rs6,000 to Rs10,000 per month, while steps were being taken to improve the service structure of doctors.

Prof Zafarullah Chaudhry told the meeting that the CPSP was launching ATLS/BLS courses for doctors serving at the teaching hospitals. He said the courses would help standardizing medical facilities for patients.

The minister said the government would provide full cooperation and assistance to professional institutions for the upgradation of higher medical education in the country.

Lauding the services of CPSP in the field of professional education at postgraduate level, he hoped that the college faculty would continue its efforts to make professional medical education recognized at international level.