Balancing the equation: Medical students and health research

The importance of health research in medicine cannot be overemphasized. It forms a crucial and core component of medicine because of its potential for advancement of scientific knowledge, subsequent improvement in existing practices and engendering critical thinking amongst those who undertake research. While clinical research is being conducted in Pakistan on various fronts, laboratory based research is not as common; lack of adequate research facilities, personnel and funding resources may be cited as important reasons for this discrepancy.