Doctors Must Become Leaders, Not Just Healers: Prof. Farooq Afzal

Strong Leadership Key to Delivering Quality Healthcare, Says PGMI Principal

By Farzana Chaudhry | Lahore, Pakistan

LAHORE: Principal of the Postgraduate Medical Institute (PGMI), Prof. Dr. Muhammad Farooq Afzal, has stressed that the future of quality healthcare depends on visionary leadership, saying doctors must become effective leaders in addition to being skilled clinicians.

Addressing a one-day workshop titled “Leadership in Health Care”, organized by the Department of Medical Education at Amiruddin Medical College (AMC) and Lahore General Hospital (LGH) under the Faculty Development Program 2026, Prof. Farooq Afzal said the real transformation in medical education and healthcare institutions would come through strong and innovative leadership rather than modern infrastructure or advanced equipment alone.

He noted that one of the greatest challenges facing hospitals is not simply managing day-to-day operations but developing faculty members and clinicians with leadership qualities capable of inspiring the next generation of healthcare professionals. He added that managerial competence has become an essential skill for every healthcare provider.

Prof. Farooq Afzal emphasized that leadership in healthcare extends beyond administration. It involves motivating teams, encouraging innovation, and creating an environment where education, research, and quality patient care receive equal priority. He said world-class healthcare systems can only be built when doctors are trained to become both outstanding clinicians and visionary leaders.

The workshop was facilitated by renowned medical education experts Prof. Dr. Samir Riaz Qazi and Prof. Mahwish Arooj, who provided participants with practical training in modern healthcare leadership, effective communication, teamwork, conflict resolution, and decision-making in high-pressure clinical environments.

Speakers at the workshop highlighted that leadership is not defined by a position but by vision, integrity, empathy, and the ability to inspire positive change. They described transformational leadership as essential for addressing contemporary healthcare challenges and achieving sustainable improvements in medical education and patient care.

Chief Organizer Prof. Amina Ahsan Cheema said the Faculty Development Program aims to empower medical teachers and strengthen the future of healthcare education by developing leadership skills among faculty members.

At the conclusion of the workshop, participants pledged to apply the leadership principles and professional skills acquired during the training to improve teaching standards, institutional performance, and patient care in their respective departments.

The event was also attended by Medical Superintendent Prof. Faryad Hussain, Dr. Saira Zeeshan, faculty members, and other senior doctors.