RAWALPINDI: President Mamnoon Hussain has said that the incumbent government is committed to provide affordable and best medical healthcare facilities to the general public and in this regard has also launched national health programme. He stated that medicine is a sacred profession and it is the responsibility of medical practitioners and professionals to work with dedication in alleviating the sufferings of ailing and needy humanity. Mamnoon was addressing the 35th undergraduate convocation of Army Medical College under the auspices of National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) here in Rawalpindi on Thursday. Adjutant General, Lt Gen Anwar Ali Haider, Vice Chancellor NUMS, Lt Syed Mohammad Imran Majeed, Surgeon General Lt Gen Asif Mumtaz Sukhera and Principal Army Medical College, Maj Gen Saleem Ahmed Khan were also present on the occasion. He stated that Pakistan is a developing country, its resources are limited and due to poverty and other social reasons people are unable to easily avail medical facilities adding that the state of medical facilities is also not up to the standard. He noted that non-availability of medical facilities in marginalised and far-flung areas of the country is a serious issue and emphasised that in this regard the role of welfare institutions and doctors is of great significance. Mamnoon underscored that the government is undertaking measures to improve healthcare apparatus and facilities across the country. He urged medical institutions to benefit from research of eminent international institutions and aid the government in reforming the health sector. Mamnoon stressed that medical institutions should focus on research to make medical treatment accessible and affordable adding that NUMS and allied institutions can play an important role in this respect. Congratulating the students on successful completion of their degrees, the president urged them to keep working hard and upon entering practical life serve their country and nation with sincerity and commitment. He expressed optimism that graduating students will come up to the expectations of their parents, teachers and the nation. The president said that medical professionals and doctors should serve the people in good faith and with humility to earn their goodwill. He noted that women constitute more than half of the country’s population and appreciated that female students were excelling in all fields of life. He emphasised that women should be given equal opportunities to enable them to effectively contribute in the country’s progress and development. He said that youth should not be despondent as Pakistan’s future is bright and urged all to play their due part in attaining collective development of the country. He noted with appreciation that as a result of sound economic policies of the government the country’s economic growth rate has reached 5.28%. He said that the government is also endeavouring to improve the standard of life of farmers and in this regard has taken measures to ensure sustained agricultural growth to reap maximum dividends. He stated that China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a project of opportunities which will not only benefit Pakistan but the entire region. The President said that work on many energy and power projects was undergoing on fast track basis and hoped that by 2018 electricity load shedding will either be completely eliminated or greatly minimised. Mamnoon commended the role of Army Medical College in imparting quality education in medical sciences. He noted that NUMS has carved out a niche for itself in a short period for which Armed Forces and administration of the university deserve commendation.