Daily Times

Feminine beauty has been the focus of our Urdu literature for centuries. Hence the women are just treated as a source of glamour and delicacy. In the national language of Pakistan, Urdu, women are given the symbolic name of sinf-e-nazak (fragile gender) due to its physical vulnerabilities. The concept has been used as an expression to illustrate love in romance. However, we must step out of these ancient and traditional tales and step into the present where women are not merely the subject of gender delicacy or ghazal but are equally involved in the journey of social development. The role of women must be duly acknowledged. The proportion of women in the total population of Pakistan is more than 51% and no society can ever develop by ignoring the majority of its population.

Against this background, when we look at the graph of Pakistan’s backwardness in the United Nations, the biggest reason is that we have not invested directly in the development of this human capital of the country. A study of the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) 2021 Gender Gap Index report shows that Pakistan ranks 153rd out of 156 countries in terms of gender equality and Pakistan ranks one rank above Afghanistan in Asia. While all other SAARC countries are at a better level than Pakistan, this requires the fact that we need to do a lot of work for gender parity in Pakistan.

Here we have to keep in mind the fact that if equal opportunities are provided across the board then there is immense potential in Pakistani women which is not being properly utilized in the right direction. You may have noticed that in our country every year girls are always top achieving position in Matriculation, Intermediate and University examinations. Overall more girls are becoming doctors than boys which is a testimony to their ability and intelligence.

At present millions of women doctors in the health sector in Pakistan are working day and night to serve humanity and despite the budget and innumerable problems of health infrastructure, significant work has been done in the field of world class health facilities especially in the field of obstetrics and maternity. This is an unprecedented achievement.   On this occasion, I would like to share my personal experience with everyone, the aim of which is to make women aware of the fact that high quality treatment is being provided free of cost in our government hospitals but the overall impression is that That you can get better treatment in a private hospital even though the majority of our population cannot afford a private hospital.

My personal opinion is that whoever invented the word Messiah for the doctors was not wrong. The doctor works to save human lives and give new life. When we fall ill, the rehabilitation of your health and the elimination of suffering is completely in the hands of the doctor after Allah. According to Mirza Ghalib

Alas, there comes a Messiah (ibn-e-mariyam hue kare koi) To heal up my pain & sufferings. (mere dukh kī davā kare koī)

When you get sick, all the colors and joys of the world begin to fade and man is ready to give up every facility of life in exchange for health. Something similar happened to me. I faced some problems regarding my health. Had to. This bitter experience brought me closer to Allah than ever before who knows the condition of hearts and is aware of every hidden and visible disease and also gives healing. However, it is certain that Allah Almighty in difficult times Helps you through your servants who become your resource. My first resource in this regard was our DG Health Punjab Dr. Haroon Jahangir Khan with whom we have a very respectful relationship. It is his compassion that always guides us in the right direction in matters of health.

Dr. Haroon Jahangir Khan referred me to Dr. Rubina Sohail, a renowned gynecologist of the city. The name of Dr. Rubina Sohail does not need any introduction in Gynae’s field. In this regard, I visited Rubina  Sohail’s clinic. Dr. Sahiba using her professional skills did a complete check up on me then told me about a surgery and reassured me that there was nothing to worry. We usually say about medicine that there is such and such a painkiller but you never considered that the real painkiller is your doctor who saves you from the pain. One of the main reasons for my personal love for Dr. Rubina Sohail is that she always participates in women’s rights and gender equality. Dr. Rubina Sohail referred me to her colleague Dr. Asifa Noorin (Services Hospital Gynae Ward 3) for immediate resolution of the issue.

Dr. Asifa proved to be a very high professional. She assured me in her very compassionate manner that everything will be fine. Establishing a personal and confidential relationship with your patient reassures her that she can trust her.

Dr. Asifa not only completed my surgery with her high professional skills but also kept asking me small questions during the surgery. Maybe she was using different techniques to provide me with stress relief. Finally, after writing the findings of the surgery, she came to me and placed her hand on my head with compassion and looking at me carefully, encouraging me to say something like this, God willing such night mare will not happen again, everything will be fine. Her positive eye contact and face expressions made me emotional in the operating theater. The angelic attribute of human or Messiah which I had read in the books I saw in front of me today personified as Dr. Asifa and began to think that this world stands due to the noble deeds of some people like her. I offer many prayers to my doctor. Along with Asifa, I am also grateful to Dr. Samarin, Dr. Amna, Dr. Rida, Dr. Sundas and Dr. Saman Rai who took care of me like a family member. And other people get inspired by it too. I pray to God that every doctor of our country should perform his duties in the same way.

One of the purposes of writing this column is to raise awareness at the national level that our doctors are our national human asset. Pay the credit where it is due.

Finally, I would like to thank the Secretary Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education and Services Hospital management for their tireless work which is benefiting thousands of people every day.

May Allah be our supporter and helper. Amen