Indian healthcare professionals attending the 13th Saarc ENT Congress in Karachi highlighted Pakistan’s exceptional hospitality and expressed admiration for its high regard for visitors. They underscored the importance of fostering collaboration between Indian and Pakistani healthcare specialists to address regional challenges beyond political divides.
“No one can rival the hospitality of Pakistanis. Their respect and care for guests are truly overwhelming,” remarked Dr. KP Morwani, a distinguished ENT surgeon from Mumbai.
Dr. Morwani, whose family migrated during Partition, described himself as “a Sindhi conceived in Pakistan and born in India.” He lamented the lack of direct flights between Mumbai and Karachi, pointing out the inconvenience of a 12-hour journey via Bahrain for what could otherwise take just 90 minutes.
Improved travel links, he said, would enable more effective cooperation between specialists from both nations for the benefit of patients.
Similarly, Dr. MK Taneja, a senior ENT expert from Uttar Pradesh, shared his admiration for Urdu and lauded the warmth extended by the Pakistani High Commission and airport staff.
The Indian delegates emphasized that collaboration between healthcare communities on both sides of the border would enhance skills and improve patient outcomes. Dr. Morwani added, “Pakistani doctors are highly skilled in certain areas, and Indian specialists excel in others. Together, we can exchange knowledge and better serve our patients.”
The congress, organized by the Society of Otorhinolaryngologists of Pakistan, brought together over 30 international delegates, including five Indian specialists practicing in Gulf countries, to discuss advancements in ENT and head and neck surgery.
Workshops on audiology, cochlear implants, and minimally invasive surgical techniques were held at top medical institutions such as Indus Hospital, Dow International Medical College, and Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre. Discussions also covered managing hearing loss and sinus diseases.
Prof. Sameer Qureshi, the organizing secretary, emphasized the congress’s importance for regional cooperation. “This event is a valuable opportunity to share knowledge and tackle shared health issues across the Saarc region,” he said.
Prof. Nar Maya Thapa from Nepal, attending for the first time as the conference president, commended the event’s scientific rigor and hospitality. “This congress demonstrates how regional collaboration can address shared healthcare goals,” he noted.
Senior academic Dr. GM Arif pointed out the urgent need for joint efforts to combat hearing impairments and oral cancer prevalent in the region.
The congress, which continues until December 10, has fostered optimism for stronger cross-border partnerships. Prof. Qaiser Sajjad, a prominent Pakistani ENT surgeon, remarked, “Such events not only advance medical knowledge but also promote peace and understanding. Healthcare is a universal bridge.”
