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History
(An extratract from Dr. Bhuta's
Article in Nishtar Magazine on Silver Juilee)
The idea of establishing a medical teaching institution in Multan
was first forwarded by
Dr. M. J. Bhutta in 1945. At that time, there was only one medical
college in Punjab, that is, the King Edward Medical College in Lahore.The
Muslim students ratio in the college was very low. After the formation
of Pakistan on the 14th of August, 1947, Muslim doctors migrated
to Pakistan, but their number was very little. This created a vacuum
in the availability of medical doctors in the newly formed Muslim
state.
On this background, Dr. Mohammed Jamaal Bhutta and Dr. Col. Mallick
were of the view that Punjab would require a second medical college
on priority basis to meet the needs of the province in near future.
So,
Government of the Punjab took this situation very seriously. And
soon,Sardar Abdul Rab Nishtar, the then Governor Punjab, made a
historical announcement of establishing a modern medical college
and hospital in Multan.
After that announcement, planning of the college and hospital began
in which Dr. M. J. Bhutta, Mr. Inamullah Shah and Syed Ismaeil Ali
Shah actively participated. Soon, Government of the Punjab gave
the sanction and approved the plan. The credit of such a rapid approval
must go to Sardar Abdul Rab Nishtar, Mr. Inamullah and Mr. Allauddin
Arshad.
The
next step was to have a detailed map for the college building. Mr.
Somjee, Mr. Inamullah and Dr. M. J. Bhutta worked day and night
in this regard. The idea of domes and Nishtar clock tower was put
forward by Dr. M. J. Bhutta and the architectural assistant respectively.
Further Islamic touch was given by Mr. Somjee by providing pillars
and balconies.
Foundation stone was laid on the 28th of April, 1951 by Sardar Abdul
Rab Nishtar.
As the construction work started, the Anatomy and Physiology departments
were first to be built. In the mean while, staff and equipment was
also arranged for the first batch.
The
inauguration ceremony was held on the 1st of October, 1951 by the
then commissionerMr. Inamullah Khan. The ceremony was attended by
the staff and students of the first batch. The first batchincluded
a total of 52 students, delivered by Dr. Mohammed Hafeez Toosy.
Then came the next year (1952) and Dr. M. J. Bhutta designed the
Nishtar flag, Nishtar crest and it's motto.
The first function of the college was the celebration of the foundation
stone. It was held on the 28th of April, 1952. The construction
of the college continued as the first batch progressed from 1st
year to the final year.
The
construction of the Nishtar Hospital block started in 1953. The
basic idea and it's plan was provided by Dr. M. J. Bhutta. He had
already collected many ideas during his tour of U.K. by visiting
many hospitals there. Mr. Inamullah, Mr. Jamaal-ud-Din and Mr. Murat
Khan also participated in the construction.
On the 1st of October, 1953, Nishtar Hospital started functioning
with 80 beds.
In 1954, Medicine, Surgery, Gynecology, Tuberculosis, Pediatrics,
Ophthalmology, ENT, Anesthesia and Radiology departments also started
functioning. With the construction of the hospital building, many
other buildings including the boy hostels, administration block,
kitchen block, college first floor and staff residences were also
built.
The first annual final professional M.B.B.S. examination was held
in May, 1956. And uptil now, 42 badges/sessions have passed.
In 1974, the college also opened the Dental Section.
Further development continued with the passage of time. And the
hospital block was further extended with the construction of more
and more wards. Similarly, the squash and tennis courts and the
swimming pool were also constructed.
In the coming few years, the college will complete it's 50 years
of brilliant success in the medical field.
In the last, a few words from the extract of Dr. M. J. Bhutta's
message on the Silver Jubilee of Nishtar Medical College:
"There is no end to progress. Our eyes must now be
set on the Golden Jubilee of Nishtar. I hope and pray that, when
that day comes, this institution will have developed into a great
center, not just of medical education and medical relief but also
of medical research".
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