A delegation from the Senate met with Prof Khalid Masood Gondal, senior vice president of the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan (CPSP), to discuss postgraduate medical education in the country. The CPSP has partnerships with institutions in the UK and Ireland, endorsed by the World Health Organisation, as part of its "brain gain" initiative. Senators praised the CPSP's contributions to medical education but emphasized the need for continuous improvement, particularly in addressing ethical practices and research in medical education. They also highlighted the importance of strengthening undergraduate medical training alongside postgraduate programs.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1270198-cpsp-highlights-mandatory-ethics-training-for-specialist-doctors-seeks-govt-support-for-global-outreachThe National Outreach Programme, a collaborative effort between Fatima Jinnah Medical University (FJMU), the National Academy of Higher Education (NAHE) and the Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan, was inaugurated by Parliamentary Secretary for Specialised Healthcare & Medical Education Department Punjab Rushda Lodhi at FJMU in Lahore. The programme aims to promote higher education and improve the quality of academic programmes in Pakistan. FJMU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Khalid Masood Gondal highlighted the significance of the training programme, stating that it would enhance the professional skills, knowledge, and leadership abilities of faculty members at FJMU.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1269412-national-outreach-plan-on-promoting-higher-education-inauguratedThe University of Malaya (UM) and the University of Putra Malaysia (UPM) have implemented various initiatives to support medical students in developing practical skills, achieving a healthy work-life balance, and coping with academic pressure. The universities offer orientation and transition programs such as Medic Orientation Week (MeOW), Clinical Skills Immersion program, and humanitarian leadership experiences to foster administrative, communication, social responsibility, and research skills. Students are also encouraged to take on leadership roles from their freshman year and receive guidance from academic advisers and clinical mentors throughout their education. To promote a healthy work-life balance, UPM provides flexibility through independent learning during clinical years, allowing students to balance academic performance with other life priorities while developing healthy work habits. The universities also offer extracurricular activities and Personal and Professional Development courses that foster self-awareness, stress management, self-care, and resilience. However, challenges remain in preparing medical students for housemanship, including exposing students to on-call duties adequately without compromising their well-being for educational activities the following day. Burnout remains a pressing issue due to real-life situations in healthcare facilities, as junior doctors deal with heavy workloads, stress, hospital bureaucracy, bullying, and harassment. To address these challenges, the universities provide mentorship through clinical academic staff, debriefing sessions after stressful clinical situations, and psychological screenings to identify mental health concerns early. The structured format of multiple mini interviews (MMIs) during the admissions process helps evaluate applicants' communication skills, emotional intelligence, and ability to handle challenging scenarios. Continuous assessment provides opportunities for students to prepare for high-stakes, high-pressure situations by evaluating their learning and performance over time. Assessments require students to demonstrate clinical competence under time constraints, mirroring the types of emergencies or complex cases they might encounter as house officers. For students unable to cope with academic pressure and stress, the universities offer counselling sessions and opportunities to switch to other courses offered by the university. The student dropout rate has been low due to a robust selection process.
https://www.thestar.com.my/news/education/2024/12/29/training-resilient-house-officersPunjab's provincial health minister reviewed steps taken to include information about thalassemia awareness in educational curriculum. The Punjab government is expanding thalassemia testing facilities across the province and aims to create awareness among children through education from primary to higher levels, with both the government and society expected to play a key role in controlling the disease.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1266141-thalassemia-awareness-to-be-included-in-syllabusProf Dr Ziaul Haq, vice-chancellor of Khyber Medical University, awarded degrees and gold medals to graduates from Rehman Medical Institute (RMI) at a ceremony. The institute's five colleges - Rehman Medical College, Rehman College of Dentistry, Rehman College of Allied Health Sciences, Rehman College of Nursing, and Rehman College of Rehabilitation Sciences - offer 14-degree programs and 2 diploma programs in medical, dental, and allied health education. RMI's CEO Shafiqur Rehman praised the dedication of students and faculty for achieving this milestone, highlighting the institute's commitment to fostering excellence in education and healthcare through initiatives such as its not-for-profit RMI Relief program and a new CSR initiative offering free IT skills training.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1261716-435-graduates-get-degrees-at-rmi-3rd-convocationAIA Philippines has expanded its AIA Healthiest Schools program, a health literacy initiative aimed at young Filipinos, over the past three months since its launch in August 2024. The program has reached over 7,200 students and more than 139 school personnel across eight schools in five regions of the country.
https://www.manilatimes.net/2024/12/10/tmt-newswire/aia-healthiest-schools-program-reaches-more-than-7200-filipino-youth/2018343The Taliban's decision to restrict women from pursuing certain careers has raised concerns about the future of female education and healthcare in Afghanistan. Despite earlier promises to allow girls to return to school once the curriculum was deemed "Islamic", schools remain closed, leaving thousands of women uncertain about their educational prospects. In a rare exception, midwifery training centres have allowed women to pursue careers as midwives, with an estimated 17,000 enrolled in training courses. However, this opportunity may be short-lived, as videos show women protesting and crying as they leave colleges, fearing for their future. The United Nations has warned that Afghanistan needs an additional 18,000 midwives to meet its healthcare needs, particularly given the country's high maternal mortality rate.
https://www.geo.tv/latest/577733-afghan-women-denied-access-to-midwifery-training-in-latest-blow-to-rightsMian Muhammad Adrees, Managing Trustee of Aziz Fatima Medical and Dental College (AFMDC), emphasized the importance of education in the medical profession. He advised students to focus on their studies to develop their skills and serve patients effectively. The institution aims to become a centre of excellence by providing quality education and training with state-of-the-art equipment, under the guidance of Molana Tariq Jameel.
https://www.brecorder.com/news/40334609/medical-profession-without-compassion-is-irrelevant