BFUHS Appointed as Controlling Authority for Punjab's Pharmacy and Healthcare Education
In a significant administrative shift, Baba Farid University of Health Sciences (BFUHS) in Faridkot has been officially designated as the controlling authority for pharmacy and healthcare courses across Punjab. This move consolidates educational oversight under a single specialized institution, marking a departure from the previous system where these courses were managed by the department of technical education and industrial training.
Transfer of Control and Historical Context
According to a recent order issued by the director of technical education and industrial training, all health-related courses have been formally transferred to BFUHS. Previously, these programs were overseen by Inder Kumar Gujral Punjab Technical University in Kapurthala and Maharaja Ranjit Singh Punjab Technical University in Bathinda, both operating under the technical education department. This restructuring aims to streamline governance and enhance educational standards in the healthcare sector.
University Leadership's Perspective
Professor Rajeev Sood, Vice-Chancellor of BFUHS, highlighted that, under the university statutes, all health-related courses were legally intended to be conducted under BFUHS's purview. "After continuous efforts and several meetings over the last two years, this objective was finally achieved," he stated, emphasizing the prolonged advocacy that led to this decision.
Professor Sood also noted substantial improvements in the university's infrastructure, recruitment of qualified personnel, and strengthening of super-speciality services. "Several posts that remained vacant for many years were filled in the university," he added, pointing to enhanced operational capacity.
Expansion and Future Initiatives
The university is actively expanding its nursing education sector, with several government nursing colleges already operational and more institutions in the pipeline. Additionally, BFUHS has taken over management of key healthcare facilities, including:
- Civil hospitals at Badal village in Muktsar
- Khadoor Sahib in Tarn Taran district
- Community health centre in Jalalabad
- Tertiary care centre in Fazilka
This integration of healthcare education, training, and skill development under one umbrella is expected to ensure better governance, quality education, and improved outcomes for students and the healthcare system at large.
