Highlights challenges of over-population
President Dr Arif Alvi on Thursday stressed the formulation of an effective strategy to benefit from the valuable human resource of doctors in the country by promoting preventive medical treatment over the conventional curative method.
In his address at the convocation of Muzaffarabad Medical College, he said doctors and health practitioners could play an important role in addressing several neglected areas of healthcare where raising awareness could make a difference.
Dr Alvi mentioned the challenges of over-population, malnutrition of women, stunted growth of children, and obesity, and emphasized the active participation of doctors to guide people on preventive measures. Dr Alvi highlighted the challenges of over-population, malnutrition of women, stunted growth of children, and obesity, and emphasized the active participation of doctors to guide people on preventive measures.
He expressed concern that the country’s around 10 percent population was suffering from Hepatitis with an estimated cost of $3 billion to be incurred on treatment. Through preventive steps, he said, the number of patients could be significantly reduced. The president also called for devising a comprehensive policy to ensure maximum mainstreaming of women medical professionals to match the growing needs of healthcare.
He regretted that a large number of women doctors in the country quit jobs after wedlock, and termed it a big waste of national resources. He, however, stressed that merely encouraging the women doctors to continue with their profession was not enough and a practical strategy was need of the hour.
He suggested promoting the concept of telemedicine and the medical consultation through Zoom to ensure continuity of women doctors in their profession, who generally leave jobs to fulfill domestic responsibilities.
