Daily Times

Pakistan is leader in the field of medical education in South Asia. The competency-based medical education produces world-class doctors for the nation. In the field of medical education and research, the capabilities of Pakistani doctors have been acknowledged time and again. Pakistani doctors are rendering their meritorious services across the world, which is rightly acknowledged. The credit of this acknowledgement goes to an internationally recognised institution – the College of Physicians & Surgeons Pakistan (CPSP).

The College of Physicians & Surgeons Pakistan, an eminent institution of medical education was established in the year 1962 through an Ordinance No. XX under the leadership of Lt. Gen. Wajid Ali Barki. Presently more than thirty thousand (30000) specialists (fellows and members) are serving in public, private sectors and armed forces. This is the only medical institution of the country offering fellowships in different 74 specialities. Its head office is situated in Karachi and fifteen (15) regional centers are working across the country along with four international centers in Nepal, Saudi Arabia, Ireland and Birmingham. Around twenty four thousand (24000) trainees are in different phases of training in 200 CPSP accredited institutions under three thousand and five (3500) CPSP approved supervisors. The foundation of CPSP has been laid in line with Royal Colleges of Britain. The examination system, professional training and rules and regulations of competency have been adopted in line with Royal College of Britain, Ireland, Canada, America and Australia. While preparing the examination system and training courses, the local and regional needs are considered and the College has been organized as an autonomous institution like Royal Colleges of the world. According to the Act of 1962 all academic and administrative affairs are run by a 20 member elected council. The elections of council are held every four years. Out of 20 members 11 from Province of Punjab, 06 from Sindh 02 from KPK and 01 from Balochistan depending upon the numbers of fellows.In February this year the fellows of the College elected a 20 member council lead by Prof. Zafar Ullah Chaudhry. In this council apart from public and private sectors three Major Generals from Pakistan Army are also included. Presently College is a symbol of country’s identification in the world. The expertise and services of its fellows have been acknowledged within the country and abroad equally. This institution is self financed and self reliant. This is the only institution providing exemplary services without any external help. It is surprising that the institution which has earned good name for the country is being criticized on the issue of Pakistani degrees in Middle East and Saudi Arabia without any proof. In this regard we underwent a detailed study of medical regulations of Middle East and Saudi Health Council. The Saudi Health Council according to its regulations implemented in 2017 – 2018 vide chapter No. 8, section No. 22 has divided the degrees of whole world in three major categories. In 1st category America, Canada, Britain and all developed countries, in 2nd category Germany, Italy, Spain, Middle East and other Arab Countries, whereas the fellowship (FCPS) of CPSP is also included in this category. As in India there is no fellowship thus their MS / MD with additional Master degree has been included. In 3rd category Jordan, Bangladesh, Syria, Philippine, Russia and other countries are included. The membership (MCPS) of CPSP is also included in 3rd category and has been equated with Indian MS and MD whereas FCPS has been kept superior to MS & MD of India. The CPSP has structured training programme and e-log system of monitoring in whole of South Asia. The examination system is in line with international standard. The Journal of CPSP (JCPSP) having impact factor because of its world class research system. Whereas other institutions despite having special research grant could not get impact factor. CPSP offers ATLS and ACLS international course to its trainees and supervisors which gives its fellowship superiority over Indian degree.

In 2017 – 2018 regulations the degrees of Pakistani universities have not been included thus no question arises for inclusion and exclusion. The Secretary CPSP Prof. Irshad Waheed has already strongly rebutted this news. CPSP does not have any connection with these university programmes and it does not fall in the domain of CPSP. These baseless news have been propagated for some vested interest, is this service to the country and institution? It gave a ridiculous impression to medical profession. It has also been known that the heads of three universities are in touch with Dubai and Saudi Health Authority and very much hopeful about the next regulations. The spokesperson of CPSP said that CPSP is ready to provide all possible assistance and patronage for elevating the standard of medical education in the country. We have gone through the act of CPSP and the acts of other universities. More than 80% faculty of about all national and private institutions comprises CPSP fellows. The presence of CPSP approved supervisors are strengthening the system of education and training in these universities. Since 1962 till today the members CPSP council have been rendering their services in honorary capacity including Generals from Armed Forces as per at act of 1962. The past presidents of CPSP Prof. Khawaja Saadiq Hussein and Prof. Ijaz Ahsan have been serving as Principals. Likewise former Vice President Prof. Akhtar Khan, Prof. S. A.Gardezi, Prof. Sibtul Hasnain and Prof. Rashid Latif Khan have been serving both institutions simultaneously. Prof. Zafar Hayat has been the President of CPSP and Principal of Nishtar Medical College simultaneously and same is the case with councils of Royal Colleges of the world. The College was founded by the head of Army Medical Corps Lt. Gen. Wajid Ali Barki. Later on serving Surgeon General Lt. Gen. Syed Afzaal Ahmad, Gen. Kiyani, and Maj. Gen. Salman Ali have been the councillors and vice president of the College. Present council is also having one retired and two serving Major Generals. The public, private sectors and Armed Forces have been given reasonable representation in the council for elevating the standard of medical education with collective wisdom. It is worth mentioning that the fellowship programmes of the College are exclusively being run in Aga Khan University and Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital the institutions of international fame.

While discussing Middle East countries as per our research both FCPS and MD are recognized in Dubai. In the Middle East both of our degrees are also recognized although FCPS has been given superior place. No new change has been incorporated in all Middle East including Saudi Arabia and none of the recognized degrees has been excluded or included. We request to the higher authority that these elements should be exposed who are propagating baseless rumours without any evidence. None of the aforesaid countries has notified the exclusion and inclusion of recognized degrees.

CPSP is a world class and acknowledgeable institution, the members of its council keeping the standard of medical education high in according with the rules and regulation of the College. The credit goes to the council members who are rendering their selfless efforts as honorary members of the council. Their efforts must be acknowledged.

The writer can be reached at kamranbatalvi@gmail.com