ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for National Health Services Aamer Mehmood Kiani said on Monday that the present government under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan is determined to improve the health status in this country. Recognising the importance of medical profession, “we not only aim to improve the quality of medical education and training but also promote the culture of health research in medical students”. The health minister said this while addressing the degree awarding ceremony of graduates of the Federal Medical Dental College (FMDC), Islamabad. The minister said, “University graduation is one of the biggest achievements towards your careers. It is the culmination of one sweet chapter in your life and the beginning of another where you can write a new story. The importance of graduation is not only recognising an important accomplishment, but it is viewed as the gateway to the next stage in your lives. I believe that medical graduates are unique in the sense that regardless of your chosen area of practice, all of you have the opportunity to enrich the lives of those around you. As you embark upon and progress through your careers, I urge you to always remember why you chose your respective field and the sacrifices that you endured in order to make it happen: to serve our communities and improve the quality of life and health of its members with compassion, honesty and integrity,” he said. The minister appreciated the parents and teachers of the graduates for their patience, understanding, sacrifices and support during these challenging, but rewarding, years at the college. “Although your guidance, comfort and encouragement certainly will continue to be sought and appreciated in the years to come, you can rejoice in the gradual return to ‘normalcy’ with no more long nights of studying, get-togethers unattended and trips untaken. Hearing the problems your college has been through and is currently facing, I am amazed at the resilience of the faculty and students for withstanding all these issues. What is more amazing is despite of all these issues the college, the faculty has been focusing on good quality education to students within the limited means. As a result, 53 graduates from FMDC have already passed FCPS part 1 examination and University MS/MD part 1 examinations, in only six months of completion of house job. I assure you that all the problems will be sorted out on urgent basis. The remarkable change and improvement in curricula and teaching methodology is worth appreciation,” he said. The minister said that “we are determined to enhance the importance of research and development throughout doctors’ working lives with special emphasis on the medical academics. This can deliver important medical innovations that improve patient care and deliver in the longer term. Our patients deserve the best-trained doctors and nurses in the world – and this is what our government believes. We will support our doctors to deliver compassionate care through providing them with the training, support and skills they need to take this agenda forward”. We must make all out efforts to resolve the problems that have been highlighted. We will bring major improvements at FMDC within one year and will take up the matter of FMDC building with the prime minister, the minister said adding that chasing a dream requires effort, passion and hard work. Published in Daily Times, September 18th 2018.