VC UAJK calls for effective strategies to train clinical and non-clinical workforce

MUZAFFARABAD: The Vice-Chancellor University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (UAJK) Prof Dr. Muhammad Kaleem Abbasi has said that the demand for skilled human resources in the medical field is increasing with each passing day across the globe and we need to adopt effective strategies to train the clinical and non-clinical healthcare workforce to take advantage of it.

He was addressing a reception given in honor of the Commandant Combined Military Hospital (CMH) Muzaffarabad Brigadier Zahid Hussain by UAJK Health and Medical Sciences Department the other day.

Dr. Kaleem Abbasi remarked that all those institutions involved in human resource development in the highly demanding medical field deserved to be appreciated and supported by both civil society and the government.

Acknowledging the quality healthcare services of the CMH Muzaffarabad along with its training program for the students of UAJK, the VC termed it the pioneer institution which first started medical services in the area for the masses with the assistance of the Army Medical Corps (AMC).

Dr. Abbasi expressed his pleasure over the availability of quality teaching hospitals like CMH, AIMS, and RIC for the UAJK students of various medical specialties where they are receiving quality medical technology training.

The Vice-Chancellor thanked Brig. Zahid Hussain of the Army Medical Corps, and the Health Department of the AJK government for their consistent support in providing training opportunities to the students of the varsity.

Addressing the reception as a chief guest, Commandant Brig. Zahid Hussain expressed pleasure to interact with the management, faculty, and students of the UAJK in one sitting and said that he was extremely satisfied with the collective efforts of CMH and UAJK that was not only benefiting humanity but also a great service to the nation and country.

Brig. Zahid Hussain stated that the health sector has now become an industry in the world and there is a great demand for medically trained manpower in the private sector as well. He urged the students to explore and get benefit from the opportunities available in the health sector worldwide.

He added that equipping the hospital with adequate human resources and the latest diagnostic equipment is at the top of his priorities. “In three to four months times, a state-of-the-art MRI machine provided by Pak Army is being installed in the hospital” the commandant informed.

Brig. Zahid further said that apart from this, new electro-medical equipment is being installed in the Radiology Department, and new Ultrasound Machines and Laboratory kits are also in the process of installation to provide modern diagnostic facilities to the common man at their doorsteps.

“Students of the Department of Health Sciences UAJK would greatly benefit from these facilities during their training period”, he added.

He assured the administration and faculty of UAJK that along with serving the suffering humanity, his institution will continue to provide the best training opportunities to the students.

Speaking on the occasion, Associate Dean of Health and Medical Sciences Dr. Bashir ur Rahman Kanth said that ninety percent of the graduates who completed their studies in various programs from UAJK Health and Medical Department have currently doing jobs in various government and private health institutions.

The Dean of Medical Sciences particularly mentioned the reformist agenda of Commandant Brigadier Zahid Hussain through which, the people have access to the best treatment facilities in the capital city. “He has taken great measures for the best utilization of human resources and provision of facilities to the public which is indeed a commendable job”, Dr. Kanth commented.

After the ceremony, a detailed meeting between the Commandant CMH Muzaffarabad and the Vice-Chancellor UAJK was held in which various suggestions were taken into consideration to strengthen the cooperation between the university and CMH Muzaffarabad.

Earlier, when Commandant CMH Brigadier Zahid Hussain arrived at the university, he was warmly welcomed by the students and faculty of the Department of Health Sciences. Lt. Col. Saeed in charge of the Rehabilitation Center and Dr. Qaratul Ain Shafiq, Deputy Medical Superintendent also accompanied him.