Speakers at the Pakistan Healthcare conference highlighted the need to establish virology laboratories in provincial capitals of the country to counter the threats of deadly novel viruses.
The moot was organized by Consumer Association of Pakistan (CAP) here at a local hotel on Tuesday.
In his address as chief guest, Commissioner of Karachi Iftikhar Shalwani said health and education, unfortunately, have been turned into lucrative businesses. He said that proper healthcare facilities should be provided in public sector facilities. He said that society must play its due part in uplifting of health care facilities. "As a society, we have to be responsible and join hands with government in providing better healthcare services," he added.
Sindh Minster for Social Welfare, Shamim Mumtaz shared details about the provincial government's efforts in providing better healthcare facilities in the province. She sought civil society's help in this regard.
Vice Chancellor of Ziauddin University, Dr Pirzada Qasim Raza Siddiqui said, "We need to take part in social outreach involving students to create healthcare awareness in society."
Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Habib Oil Mill, Moid ul Hasan deplored the pathetic condition of healthcare sector in the country, saying that the sector needs investment to facilitate the people.
General Secretary, Pakistan Medical Association (PMA), Dr Qaiser Sajjad said that virology labs must be established in the country. Fortunately, he said, no patient of coronavirus has been detected in Pakistan. He said that healthcare has not been the priority of any government in the country.
Dr Minhaj A Qidwai, CEO of Sindh Healthcare Commission, said doctors must get registered themselves with the commission, adding that the commission has so far issued 21,000 licenses to healthcare professionals.
Dr Samreen Hussain, Vice Chancellor of Begum Nusrat Bhutto Women University, said, "Nucleolus of the healthcare system lies in governance and leadership," adding that we need to be critical and analytical in gauging the performance of medical profession.
Member of Sindh Assembly, Dr Imran Ali Shah, said homeopaths must not be allowed to practice in healthcare sector.