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Islamabad : Pakistan and Ireland have reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening bilateral cooperation in healthcare, postgraduate medical education and professional training, with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Pakistan (CPSP) playing a pivotal role in developing structured training opportunities for Pakistani doctors in Ireland.
A high-level delegation of the CPSP, led by President Professor Muhammad Shoaib Shafi and Senior Vice President Professor Khalid Masood Gondal, visited Ireland and held a series of important meetings with senior representatives of Irish healthcare and medical education institutions.
The delegation participated in the annual Steering Committee meeting with the Health Service Executive (HSE), Royal Colleges of Ireland and Training Programme directors. The meeting reviewed in detail the training scheme for Pakistani doctors who have so far travelled to Ireland and discussed measures to further improve and expand the programme. A roadmap for the 2027 training scheme was also finalised.
The participants agreed that the initiative was mutually beneficial for both Pakistan and Ireland. The collaboration was also highlighted as an example of “brain gain” rather than “brain drain”, as Pakistani doctors acquire international clinical training and experience while contributing their professional expertise to the Irish healthcare system.
During the visit, the CPSP delegation held a special meeting with Pakistani postgraduate residents currently undergoing training in Ireland. The CPSP leadership discussed the effectiveness of the programme with the residents and sought their suggestions for further improvement. The delegation subsequently met local supervisors to discuss the residents’ feedback and explore possibilities for further expansion of the programme while maintaining and enhancing training standards.
The CPSP delegation also visited the Embassy of Pakistan in Dublin, where Ambassador Mariam Aftab hosted and warmly welcomed the delegation on Wednesday. The CPSP leadership briefed the ambassador on the ongoing collaboration with the HSE and Royal Colleges of Ireland, as well as various initiatives for the training and professional development of Pakistani doctors.
Ambassador Mariam Aftab appreciated the CPSP’s efforts towards strengthening Pakistan-Ireland cooperation in healthcare and acknowledged the valuable contribution of Pakistani healthcare professionals to Ireland’s health system. She informed the delegation that during her meeting with Irish President Catherine Connolly in January this year, the Irish President had also openly appreciated and acknowledged the valuable services of Pakistani doctors in Ireland.
The ambassador described the CPSP-HSE training initiative as mutually beneficial for both countries and appreciated the CPSP’s efforts towards enhancing Pakistan’s profile in the international medical community. She emphasised the need to further intensify institutional partnerships and assured the delegation of the Embassy’s full support for strengthening bilateral cooperation in the healthcare sector.
The delegation was also hosted by Dublin Lord Mayor Daryl Barron at a reception held in its honour. The Lord Mayor highly appreciated the role and contribution of Pakistani doctors to the Irish healthcare system and praised their professional capabilities and services.
