PESHAWAR, Feb 12: The Governor of NWFP, Syed Iftikhar Hussain Shah, has reiterated his support for the establishment of a medical university in the province , saying he had already asked the concerned quarters to meet the criteria laid down by the Higher Education Commission in this regard.

Speaking at a symposium on "Osteoporosis", held under the auspices of the Postgraduate Medical Institute (PGMI) on Saturday, the governor said that not only all the issues have to be resolved in this connection but the linkages and integration with the relevant institutions also have to be developed to avoid repetition.

Mr Shah, while conceding to a proposal to resolve career problems of certain segments of doctors as well as future demand of specialist doctors in the province, said that there must be a comprehensive plan in this respect.

Otherwise, he added, all efforts of the government being made to strengthen the secondary level health institutions would get spoiled and the tertiary care health institutions would remain under continued burden in future.

The governor also acknowledged the services being rendered by the PGMI and said that majority of its faculty members were highly trained and skilled professionals and dedicated to the service of humanity in real sense.

He also expressed concern over the findings of the study conducted by the orthopaedic department of the Hayatabad Medical Complex, according to which up to 40 per cent of the female students were prone to suffering from osteoporosis in the country.

The girl of today, he said was the mother of tomorrow and therefore in such a situation not only this generation would be weak itself but also give birth to a weaker generation.

Lauding the holding of symposium, the governor said, such moot, apart from updating participants' knowledge also, gives the common man an insight into common medical problems as well as measures how to avoid them.

Health Minister Inayatullah Khan appreciated the efforts of the Postgraduate Medical Institute in the provision of quality healthcare services to the common people and especially towards the promotion of awareness and updating the knowledge of doctors.

Dr Arshad Javaid, dean of the PGMI, highlighted the working of the institute and said that it provided fellowship training in 23 different specialities as well as tertiary level surgeries.

He also demanded to enhance the number of seats for FCPS every year.

The institution, he added, was also actively engaged in the promotion of research activities together with public awareness and education.