The French Medical Institute for Mothers and Children celebrated the graduation of 13 specialist doctors in seven different disciplines today.
They were awarded certificates of specialisation by the chief guest, Dr Ferozuddin Feroz, Minister for Health and Dr Farhat Abbas, Aga Khan University's vice provost.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Feroz remarked: “It is very important to not only have up-to-date technical knowledge and excellent skills but it is equally important to also have professional and personal values and be true to them.”
These specialist doctors are graduates of the Postgraduate Medical Education Programme run by the French Medical Institute for Mothers and Children with assistance from the Governments of Canada and France, who are committed to improving access to healthcare, particularly for women, newborns and children. The graduates went through a programme accredited by Afghanistan’s Ministry of Public Health and the Aga Khan University’s Department of Postgraduate Medical Education.
This year, there were 3 graduands from anaesthesiology, 2 each from cardiology, paediatric medicine, paediatric orthopaedics and radiology, and 1 each from clinical pathology and histopathology disciplines.
Healthcare provision in Afghanistan is in critical need of specialist doctors. FMIC initiated its PGME programme in partnership with the Aga Khan University in April 2012. The initial funding was provided by the Government of Canada through the Improving Maternal Newborn and Child Health grant; and continued by the Health Action Plan for Afghanistan grant, supported by Government of Canada, Agence Française de Développement and the Aga Khan Foundation Canada and Afghanistan.
The ceremony was held in the FMIC Auditorium and was presided over by Mr Lee Hilling, Chair of the FMIC Board, who congratulated the graduating doctors and their families for their tireless efforts and support in making the programme such a great success.
Mr Dave Metcalf, the Ambassador of Canada to Afghanistan, Mrs Nurjehan Mawani, AKDN’s Diplomatic Representative in Afghanistan and the Country Director for Chaine de l’Espoir were present to celebrate the achievements.