KARACHI, March 8: The College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan (CPSP) conferred upon 60-odd doctors from Pakistan and Bangladesh fellowships and memberships at a special convocation held here on Monday night.

In the absence of Governor Ishratul Ibad, who declined to attend the convocation at the eleventh hour, it was presided over by Prof Sultan Farooqui, President of the CPSP.

In his speech, Prof Farooqui observed that the CPSP's department of medical education had held workshops in Bangladesh, Nepal and Saudi Arabia. "This will lead to greater cooperation in the health care sector," he remarked.

"Today, the CPSP enjoys international recognition of its qualifications awarded under the nomenclature of fellowship (FCPS) by sister institutions in England, Scotland, Ireland, Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Nepal and Sri Lanka."

The professor said that due to its high standards the Joint Committee of Higher Medical Training of England, which represented all the Royal Colleges, had recognized the CPSP's fellowship at par with MRCP for entry on the special register maintained by the General Medical Council, United Kingdom.

The Saudi Council for Health Specialities and Kuwait Institute of Medical Specialization also recognized FCPS at par with MRCP and FRCP offered by the Royal Colleges of the United Kingdom, explained Prof Farooqui.

The CPSP had so far produced more than 11,000 specialists who were working in hospitals and teaching institutions throughout the country, which constituted 80 per cent of the total specialist manpower available.

"It is also heartening to note that almost an equal number of medical graduates are under training in various accredited hospitals and institutions, who will be available to the country in the next three years." At present there were 113 institutions which were affiliated with the CPSP.

The professor informed all those present that the CPSP had set up a fully fledged information technology department and made it mandatory for its trainees to attend all the workshops for a basic training in computer handling.

In collaboration with the ministry of science and technology a programme had also been launched which aimed to provide the latest medical education at the doorsteps of the professionals, added Prof Farooqui.