Medical Education Reforms and Patient-Centric Initiatives Commended

By Farzana Chaudhry | Lahore, Pakistan

LAHORE, September 6: Prof. Dr. Muhammad Farooq Afzal, Principal of Amiruddin Medical College (AMC), Postgraduate Medical Institute (PGMI) and Lahore General Hospital (LGH), has retired after successfully completing his tenure. His career was marked by significant contributions to medical education, patient care, clinical research and institutional development.

During his tenure, Prof. Farooq Afzal focused on bringing undergraduate and postgraduate medical education in line with contemporary standards. He strengthened academic and clinical teaching while promoting a culture of research and professional development.

At Lahore General Hospital, several patient-friendly initiatives and welfare projects were completed with the support of the government and philanthropists, providing tangible benefits to underserved patients.

Members of the Academic Council, senior health professionals and hospital administration paid rich tributes to Prof. Farooq Afzal for his tireless efforts, professional integrity, research contributions and role in transforming LGH into a more patient-centred institution. They appreciated his services and prayed for his continued good health and long life.

Medical Superintendent LGH Prof. Dr. Faryad Hussain hosted a formal luncheon in honour of the retiring principal, which was attended by a large number of senior doctors and administrative officials.

Addressing the gathering, Prof. Faryad Hussain said medical teachers remain an enduring strength of society and expressed confidence that the institution would continue to benefit from Prof. Farooq Afzal’s administrative and clinical expertise.

In his farewell address, Prof. Farooq Afzal said the institution’s achievements were the result of collective teamwork. He acknowledged the contributions of faculty members, administrative doctors, nurses, paramedics and other healthcare professionals who worked together to overcome challenges.

He said the medical profession was not merely a career but a service to suffering humanity and an act of worship. He urged young doctors to continue the journey of institutional development and research with dedication, professional skills and a spirit of service.

Rs60 Crore Expansion Project for LGH Outdoor Building

Under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Farooq Afzal, Lahore General Hospital has taken a major step toward addressing increasing patient volumes and the growing demand for modern healthcare facilities.

An additional floor will be constructed on the hospital’s Outdoor Building at an estimated cost of approximately Rs60 crore. The project will be funded by a Pakistani philanthropic family based in the United States and is expected to significantly expand the hospital’s capacity and improve the availability of modern medical services.

Prof. Farooq Afzal formally announced the initiative during the farewell ceremony. He said the additional floor would provide considerable relief to patients and facilitate the installation of modern medical equipment and essential healthcare amenities.

He said the necessary approvals had been obtained from the Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education Department and the institution’s Board of Management, following which the philanthropic family formally committed to funding the project.

The ceremony was attended by a distinguished gathering of professors and senior doctors, including Dr. Amjad Saqib, Prof. Khalid Masood Gondal, Prof. Masood Sadiq, Prof. Asif Bashir, Prof. Huma Kayani, Prof. Tayyaba Waseem, Prof. Saira Afzal, Prof. Khawaja Azeem, Prof. Arshad Cheema, Prof. Shaista Farooq, Prof. Javed-ur-Rehman, Prof. Saeed, Prof. Khalid Mahmood and Medical Superintendent Prof. Dr. Faryad Hussain.

The participants paid warm tributes to Prof. Farooq Afzal for his services to medical education, healthcare and institutional development, while also describing the planned Outdoor Building expansion as a landmark initiative for LGH.