Acting President Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani attended a ceremony hosted by the Association of Physicians of Pakistani Descent of North America at the Governor House in Lahore, calling the gathering of APPNA doctors a matter of great honour.
He urged immediate improvements to Basic Health Units to reduce pressure on major hospitals and stressed that healthcare services must be expanded in rural and underdeveloped areas so patients can access quality care closer to home.
Noting that the 18th Constitutional Amendment devolved the health sector to the provinces, the Acting President reiterated his commitment to legislation and policymaking to raise healthcare standards. He emphasised using global best practices to ensure affordable services reach less developed regions of the country.
Addressing young physicians, he encouraged a stronger focus on medical research and the adoption of digital health services, describing health and education as two sides of the same coin. He called for innovation in the medical curriculum and ongoing professional development to respond to modern healthcare challenges.
Recalling earlier engagements with the organisation during Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto’s tenure, he highlighted how APPNA doctors supported Pakistan during the period of the Pressler Amendment by facilitating meetings with US senators, a contribution that helped the country navigate difficult repercussions.
The Acting President also reflected on his family’s long association with health and education, noting his father’s role in founding Nishtar Medical College, and paid tribute to Lahore’s rich cultural history and the writings of Data Ali Hajveri in Kashf-ul-Mahjoob.
The ceremony featured addresses by APPNA President Dr. Humaira Qamar, Dr. Nasr-ul-Iqbal, Dr. Fazal Akbar Ali and Dr. Tahir Pal, and included remarks by Pakistan’s first transgender doctor, Dr. Zeni. The event concluded with the Acting President presenting awards to distinguished APPNA doctors in recognition of their services.
