KARACHI: Sharing concerns over severe maternal and child malnutrition in the country particularly in Sindh, the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) suggested on Friday at a press conference that the government in its efforts to overcome doctors’ shortage should bind medical graduates to serve in their hometowns for at least two to three years.

The presser was organised at the PMA House.

Speaking on malnutrition, PMA secretary general-central Dr Qaiser Sajjad said the situation was worrisome in the country and could deteriorate if the government did not take any special measures to ensure that food with sufficient nutrition was within the reach of disadvantaged sections of society.

“Persistent economic instability has been a source of constant increase in the prices of basic commodities in our country, making dignified existence difficult for the masses.

“The government must focus upon this and help the poor buy food at half the price through ration cards and improve nutritional quality of staple products, for instance, fortifying wheat flour with iron for reducing anaemia and improving iron status in population,” he recommended.

Highlighting Sindh’s health challenges, he said it was unfortunate that the government had been in power for more than a decade, but failed to demonstrate its interest in public health.

‘Quality’ and food authority

“Poor governance is reflected by the intervention of the Supreme Court in every matter of public interest. Thar is one case in point. The health crisis the [area] has been facing for some years is not over yet, indicating flaws in government efforts,” he observed.

It (the government), he suggested, should revisit its strategy and see where gaps existed in critical areas, such as mother and children nutrition, antenatal care, health and family planning services and access to clean drinking water.

Dr Sajjad also shared the association’s concerns over adulterated food and the Sindh Food Authority (SFA). The latter lacked necessary tools to address the mammoth challenge assigned to it, he remarked while being appreciative of the positive steps being taken by the Punjab Food Authority.

“Here, it sprang into action only after the tragic death of two children who reportedly ate contaminated food at a restaurant. A number of eateries have also been raided following the incident, but what would they do in the absence of proper training and laboratories to analyse food samples?” he asked.

One major neglected area in this sector pertained to the food being sold outside schools. “That’s directly affecting health of our children. But, no one seems to be bothered.”

Uniform standards

Raising issues confronting the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC), the PMA said persistent official negligence and vested interests of various groups in the council had greatly harmed medical education in the country.

“We were expecting a good change after the dissolution of the PMDC, but the present state of PMDC affairs is creating a lot of interest and disillusion in the medical fraternity across the country,” said Prof Mohammad Ashraf Nizami, president PMA-central, demanding dissolution of the PMDC ad-hoc committee and formation of a true representative council with elected members through an ordinance.

A PMA delegation, he pointed out, had also met President Dr Arif Alvi and Federal Health Minister Aamir Mehmood Kiyani on this subject and both had assured the association that soon required steps would be taken to bring a positive change.

He underscored the need for a dedicated strategy to address issues plaguing health and education sectors and said that “while it’s good to have devolution of powers under the 18th Amendment, standards (in health and education sectors) should be uniform across the country”.

To a question regarding manifold increase in the fee of private medical charges, it was explained that the association condemned it and had asked the government to go for a legal review.

On the working of Sindh healthcare commission, PMA office-bearers called for proper publicity of the commission so that people should know about its operation, its contact details and report quacks.

Published in Dawn, November 17th, 2018