Medical sciences research in Pakistan

[Neo]

Medical sciences research in Pakistan

Monday, September 25, 2006javascript:; http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/print.asp?page=2006\09\25\story_25-9-2006_pg6_20

By Dr Muhammad Arslan

The country still conspicuously lags behind developed and rapidly developing countries in education and research in health sciences, in terms of its ability to provide highly trained human resource, value added products and services. More particularly, the medical institutions of the country have never been geared up to trigger and sustain quality research and development in health sciences.

Meaningful research in medical or health sciences like any other science is dependent on the quality of education and the learning environment.

The collegiate system of medical education in the country has resulted in institutions that are introvert, self- centred and oblivious of the role of other disciplines in contributing to modern advances in education, research and innovations in health sciences occurring elsewhere in the world. Thus, the institutions of health science education, failed to provide an environment conducive to quality research.

Historically, the first attempt to institutionalize research and higher training in basic medical sciences was made through the establishment of the Basic Medical Sciences Institute (BMSI) at the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), Karachi, in 1958. The Postgraduate Medical Institute (PGMI) in Lahore was created in 1974 mainly for the in-service medical faculty and physicians.

The express commitment of the relatively newly established university of Health Sciences, Lahore, to promote postgraduate teaching and research in basic sciences and to fill the void of highly qualified faculty in these disciplines, is a breath of fresh air.

One of the major reasons for the barrenness of medical research in the country has been an almost complete estrangement of basic sciences from medical enterprise. A study of the developed world’s leading academic institutions highlights the importance of programmes integrating medical sciences with pure sciences, engineering, social sciences and management in producing people with creativity and cutting edge skills to solve real life problems. Over the time, renowned universities have evolved multidisciplinary programs in response to this realisation. This worldwide experience offers compelling support for integrating educational as well as research programmes. Pakistani universities in general and medical institutions in particular, have failed to follow suit. Barring, some elite institutions of the country like the Aga Khan University, there is rigid divide between domains of clinical and basic sciences.

Problems and issues relating to a paucity of meaningful research and development activity in biomedical sciences in the country are complex and deeply entrenched. One oft-quoted reason has been that medical practice and consultancy are far more lucrative than a profession of medical research. Most of the talented medical graduates opt for fellowships in clinical medicine rather than for a research degree.

In a recent survey to assess attitudes of medical internees towards research shows that 78% wished to pursue research and as many were of the opinion that they had received inadequate research training. The study concluded that the main reasons ‘for poor (medical) research activity in Pakistan, were poor research training and awareness’.

Another factor has been bureaucratic attitudes towards and within medical institutions thwarting educational reforms and change, and promotion of research in medical institutions. The Pakistan Medical Research Council (PMRC) under a resolution in 1962 on the recommendation of the Medical Reforms Commission with the supposed status of an autonomous organization under the Federal Ministry with the mandate to ‘promote, organise and coordinate medical research in Pakistan’.

Absence of qualified faculty in most of the public medical universities and colleges especially in the disciplines of basic medical sciences is alarming. Most medical institutions lack the academic infrastructure for integrated multidisciplinary programmes. These various factors amongst others have resulted in an acute paucity of highly qualified medical faculty and researchers especially in the area of basic medical sciences.

In the past, finances have been a major constraint to research and development in health sciences. Fortunately, restricted funding for institutional strengthening and research is now available through the Higher Education Commission (HEC) for specific research and development projects.

Our geographical, social and economic environment warrants integrated research efforts relevant to health problems in the local context. This necessitates teamwork as the full range of medical research covers studies of molecules to the translation of research findings into clinical practice. A realization of such efforts is possible only if the universities and research institutions can develop programmes of basic research, clinical investigations and trials, and demographic studies and public education.

Understandably, science, health and education are global issues and there is a need that national medical institutions attach a high priority to international collaboration and interaction. The collaboration can be facilitated by joint working with international bodies like WHO and national organizations and universities from other countries.

Perhaps the first step to build up a scientific and research base in health sciences is to establish or identify an institution in the country for its elevation into an autonomous elite institution of basic and biomedical postgraduate research unconfined by bureaucratic ties and devoid of the prevalent narrow outlook on education and research in health sciences.

The writer is a Professor of Physiology University of Health Sciences, Lahore, formerly Vice-Chancellor Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad


http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006\09\25\story_25-9-2006_pg6_20

 

[Cheetah786]

If we had educated politicians we wouldnt have this problem would we

 

[Kaiser]

Dude right know the musharaf regime has done more for education in pakistan than any other leader, be thankful we have him atleast

Even though I would recommend to him that we increase education to 5% half of witch can be used for post graduate studies and other half for primary education (elementry, middle, high, A-levels). Most of the post graduates studies should be invested in scientific and technology colleges since today most pakistani childeren think of growing up to be a scientist or engineer and are very keen to meet the goal even though they have a small chance.

 

[araz]

Dude right know the musharaf regime has done more for education in pakistan than any other leader, be thankful we have him atleast

Even though I would recommend to him that we increase education to 5% half of witch can be used for post graduate studies and other half for primary education (elementry, middle, high, A-levels). Most of the post graduates studies should be invested in scientific and technology colleges since today most pakistani childeren think of growing up to be a scientist or engineer and are very keen to meet the goal even though they have a small chance.

AsSalam oAlaikum.
Kaisar the problem of medical research is a very complex one. I will try and summarize it into the following subheadings:
A . We just do not have the money. Scientific research requires huge amounts of money. Just to give you an example, when a drug company discovers a compound and patents it, it takes roughly 6-8 yrs before it is ready for human trials. There are strict guidelines of how to proceed with it. During this phase, 1 of three compounds are discarded. Even after yrs of trials, you have the odd accidents like the one recently in London where 6 people taking an experimental drug ended up in coma in ITU.
B. The teaching method does not encourage thought. We are taught to remember things not understand them. Part of the problem are the teachers themselves, and the other problem is language barrier. Just to give you an example, Part of the fellowship requires you to be examined in the Basic sciences. It was following our graduation. It was at that momentthat I realized how little I knew about the basics of how the body works. It took 2 yrs of consolidated studies to grasp and clear the exams. I was not the exception there, and Brother Iam not a duffer either.
C. The moment we graduate, the first thought is to go to foreign lands to acquire knowledge and skills. A lot of good brains are lost to us once we leave Pakistan. There are economical and adjustment issues associated with it. To give you an example, in one yr at the Agha Khan University Hospital, 96 out of 100 medical graduates went of to US immediately after graduation.
D. Return to Pakistan for a lot of people is made very difficult by lack of employment and facilities. even if you want to do good for your country, things are made difficult for you. I have had personal experience of this and hence my abode in UK.
E. Research itself has many facets. We as Pakistani students have no concept of how to write a paper/dissertation. Masters of Science in Medicine in Pakistan is taken up by people who have failed their fellowships and is entirely relient on your relations with your Professor. As against that MS in UK can be done Part time. You however need to complete 24 modules of studies and submit essays after each. Medical statistics is taught as aroutine where as in Pakistan it is an unknown quantity.
for above reasons Pakistan education system needs to change radically and the whole method of education needs to change before people will think of research.
I hope this sheds some light on the matter.
WaSalam
Araz