A historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony was held Thursday between the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) and the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan (CPSP). The purpose of this ceremony was to further strengthen the speciality of Family Medicine and General Practice in Pakistan.
The ceremony was led on behalf of RACGP by its President, Dr Michael Wright. Other participants graced the occasion included Dr Anita Munoz, Chair RACGP Victoria; Dr Tess van Duren, Censor-in-Chief; Ms Georgina van de Water, Chief Executive Officer; Dr Yousaf Haroon Ahmed, RACGP Victoria Council Member; Dr Majid Naeem Gondal, Chair IMG Committee (VIC); Kevin Diggerson, Public Affairs Manager; and Sue Heffernan, Chief Member Engagement Officer.
The CPSP delegation was led by its President, Professor Khalid Masood Gondal. Other CPSP representatives proceed the ceremony were Professor Muhammad Shoaib Shafi, Senior Vice President; Professor Muhammad Asghar Butt, Director General International Relations; Professor Aamer Zaman Khan, Director General Medical Education; Dr Sehar Zubair Abbasi, Director Directorate of Medical Education; Professor Fareeda Ameen, Dean of Family Medicine; and Dr Unab Inayat Khan, Secretary Faculty of Family Medicine.
The President of Pakistan Academy of Family Physicians, Dr Tariq Mahmood Mian, also attended the ceremony as a special guest.
The purpose of this MoU between the two internationally recognized institutions is to promote family medical education, improve the quality of training, and strengthen shared vision between the two organizations.
This collaboration will help promote research culture in medical education and will improve academic standards as well as patient care through modern medical practices.
Professor Aamer Zaman Khan welcomed the RACGP team on behalf of CPSP, while Dr Anita Munoz welcomed the CPSP team on behalf of RACGP. RACGP President Dr Michael Wright explained the vision of this historic MoU. CPSP President Professor Khalid Masood Gondal highlighted CPSP’s national and international contributions and collaboration services and discussed its efforts in postgraduate medical education with the UK, Ireland, and SAARC countries.
The importance and benefits of this MoU, especially for patient care, treatment, and the field of Family Medicine, were discussed in detail by RACGP CEO Ms Georgina van de Water and CPSP representative Dr Unab Inayat Khan, Secretary Faculty of Family Medicine.
Later on, RACGP President Dr Michael Wright and CPSP President Professor Khalid Masood Gondal signed the MoU documents and exchanged them. Future plans were shared by Ms Georgina van de Water from RACGP and Dr Sehar Zubair Abbasi from CPSP. Professor Fareeda Ameen congratulated both teams on the successful signing of the MoU and appreciated their efforts.
Dr Tariq Mahmood Mian expressed his views and thanked both Presidents, stating that the development of Family Medicine is a basic need of Pakistan’s healthcare system. Strengthening this field will help provide quality healthcare services to patients, especially in remote areas, near their homes.
At the end, Dr Anita Munoz, Professor Muhammad Shoaib Shafi, and Professor Muhammad Asghar Butt delivered vote of thanks, and the historic ceremony was concluded.