Appreciating young doctors and surgeons of the country for their efforts to gain steady success in the spheres of academic and professional competence, President Arif Alvi on Sunday advised them to make deliberate effort for acquiring the skill of empathy.
Addressing the 53rd Convocation of College of Physicians and Surgeons (CPSP) Karachi, Alvi said “empathy” was a trait that held a positive impact on the wellbeing of the patients and also developed a strong bondage between healthcare providers and their patients.
He also drew attention of the postgraduates towards the growing relevance of artificial intelligence in the field of medicine and surgery.
“Equal attention is needed to keep abreast of latest advances in science and technology, such as artificial intelligence, manifested in the form of virtual and augmented realities.”
He said emphasised that a critical balance had to be maintained between technology, professional skills and traits like compassion.
Acknowledging the contribution made by CPSP in the training of medical professionals, the president said there was a need to ensure that medical graduates and postgraduates passing out from institutions concerned were fully conscious of ground realities with regard to healthcare needs of the masses.
Reminding them that most of the countries managed to address their health-related challenges through active engagement of medical professionals at the grassroots level, he said there was a need for improvement in graduate-level medical curriculum in accordance with the needs of the people.
Professional capacities of paramedics, community health workers and lady health workers needed to be upgraded, with equal attention towards their easy accessibility to the masses, the president said.
In his welcome address, CPSP President Prof Zafarullah Chaudhry said the college, since its inception in 1962, had strived for achieving academic excellence in higher medical and dental education.
“The college organises scores of academic activities throughout the year for its residents and fellows,” he said, mentioning that over 700 graduating doctors were being conferred with fellowship and membership qualification of the college in its 53rd Convocation.