Biennial Medical Conference concludes in Lahore

Lahore: 31^st PMA Biennial Medical Conference of Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) was held at Pearl Continental Hotel, Lahore from 7^th to 9^thNovember 2014. This grand conference was attended by more than 2000 doctors and medical students from the country and abroad. There were 75 scientific sessions held, including surgery and allied, Gynacology and Obstetrics, Maternal and Child Health, Anaesthesiology, Dermatology, infectious diseases, Ophthalmology, Orthopaedics and Medical Education Training and Patient care. As part of this Biennial Conference 40 pre-conference workshops were also held in Lahore and Karachi. The inaugural session of the conference was graced by the, Honorable Governor of Punjab Mr. Muhammad Sarwar Chaudhry and Health Minister of Punjab. After the welcome address by Dr. Tanveer Anwar, President PMA Lahore, Dr. Aziz Ahmed Lehri from Province of Balochistan took charge as President of Pakistan Medical Association (Centre) for next 2 years. The Elections of PMA Centre were held and following candidates were elected unopposed.

• Prof. M. Ashraf Nizami (President Elect)
• Dr. Mirza Ali Azhar (Secretary General)
• Dr. S.M.Qaisar Sajjad (Treasurer)
• Dr. Talha Sherwani (Joint Secretary -1)
• Dr. Bashir Channa (Joint Secretary-II)
• Prof. M. Idrees Adhi (Chairman Editorial Board-JPMA)

Besides several resolutions, the Central Council meeting and General Body deplored the establishment of Provincial Higher Education Commission in Sindh and appointment of an under qualified person as its chairman.

Now the same person is using its political influence in Sindh assembly for Sindh Medical & Dental Council (SMDC) Bill.

The Central Council and General Body of PMA strongly opposed the Provincial HEC and proposed parallel establishment of Medical and Dental Council in Sindh and further resolved that if government goes ahead with this process despite the strong opposition by major stakeholders like PMA, the matter will be taken to Supreme Court of Pakistan.

This meeting took serious note of unconstitutional activity by few persons in Sindh causing disintegration of Federal Institutions like HEC & PMDC.

This Central Council meeting also took note of indifferent attitude of Federal Health Authority, which has failed to manage the destructive and unconstitutional activity of a vested interested group.

The other resolutions passed included the Health Policy, PPHI, disaffiliation of 5 Medical Colleges from Karachi University, falling standard of medical education in the country and against the Anti-PMA activities of some non-member doctors. The conference was a great success.