RIYADH, 8 May 2004 — Pakistan’s medical presence in the Kingdom will get a boost with the recruitment of more specialists from that country. This was announced at the 26th medical symposium of the Pakistan Doctors Group (PDG) by Pakistan’s Ambassador Abdul Aziz Mirza, who said Saudi a private sector delegation is in Pakistan to recruit 100 doctors in the first phase.
Speaking at the forum in Riyadh, the envoy said Pakistani doctors were sound professionals and that was the reason they were in demand abroad. Thanking the participants from other communities, the envoy said this will provide an opportunity for a valuable exchange of information among the professionals from countries in the sub-continent.
Some 2,000 Pakistani doctors are working in the Kingdom including 300 in the capital. Around 600 doctors have been recruited from Pakistan during the past two years, the envoy noted.
Consultant dermatologist Dr. Abdullah Al Issa, from Dermoclinics, spoke on dermatology, while the consultant orthopedician at the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center (KFSH & RC) Dr. Imran Illyas spoke about the current management of osteoarthritis.
In his annual report, the general secretary of PDG, Dr. Riad J Khawaja, stated that the group has instituted a social welfare fund to assist deserving parents who cannot afford medical tuition fees for their children. So far, he said, the group has helped 15 such parents on recommendations made by the Pakistan International School in Riyadh. He appealed to all members to donate generously to the fund.
Novartis, a sponsor of the symposium made a special presentation of its products and services. The Group’s Academic Secretary Dr. Amir Sheikh distributed awards to the lucky winners of the draw held among the participants.
