TWO NEW HOSPITALS

Alkhidmat Hospital, Nazimabad

In June 2000, I was on my way back from Idara noor-e-haq to my home in North Nazimabad when Dr. Faiyaz, who was sitting on the backseat, pointed towards a building in Nazimabad and said, “Khan sahib, buy this hospital for Al-Khidmat!” When I asked him the reason, he said that Dr. Zeenat, the owner of the hospital, had offered him to run the institute in partnership. Dr. Siddiqa – Dr. Faiyaz’s wife – had been carrying out deliveries at the hospital since 1996 because the Al-Khidmat Hospital in Orangi didn’t have a labour room and operation theatre for many years. A JI member – Muhammad Siddiq – was the administrative partner of the hospital, and Al-Khidmat had been able to set up a dental and eye clinic there due to his cooperation and Dr. Faiyaz’s efforts.

I responded that decisions in the party aren’t sudden and I will have to take the shura (consultative body) into confidence. Then I asked Dr. Faiyaz to make a presentation to show it to them. By then, Dr. Tabassum Jafri had joined Al-Khidmat’s team as the deputy general secretary. One day, another JI member in the same area, Dr. Azeemuddin was promised a donation by renowned industrial SM Muneer’s younger brother SM Javed. Dr. Azeem was associated with the radiology department of Liaquat National Hospital at the time. The amount was probably Rs0.5 million. Dr. Azeem spoke with Dr. Tabassum Jafri about this, and it was decided to consult Muslim Aid, and set up Al-Khidmat’s first diagnostic center at the Nazimabad hospital. After some time, we bought the Color Doppler machine, made possible through a generous donation by Muslim Aid.

During the next meeting of Karachi shura, Dr. Faiyaz detailed the reasons behind the proposal to buy the hospital, and put forth a feasibility. All except one member termed the idea feasible. We were finally allowed to buy it in return for a few lacs in advance and the remaining in easy instalments. A simple ceremony took place on September 16, 2000 to formally inaugurate Al-Khidmat Hospital, Nazimabad. The Color Doppler machine was put into running the same day. The ceremony was attended by, SM Muneer, SM Javed, and Chairman Pakistan Business Forum, Mian Tanvir Magon.

Al-khidmat Medical Center, Korangi

In early 2001, JI’s district Bin Qasim chief and former MPA Aslam Mujahid came with the proposal of an Al-Khidmat clinic in Korangi. He said that an 80-square yard piece of land was available in the area on a reasonable price and an Al-khidmat-run clinic could be launched if we can buy it. The Al-Khidmat committee had earlier decided to set up district-level hospitals instead of clinic, as the latter were already available in every area of Karachi. Aslam Mujahid was really happy to hear that. In a few weeks’ span, we had bought three, 80-yard plots and the medical center was in the works. The construction work began on March 4, 2001 with a graceful ceremony, which was addressed by Dr. Faiyaz Alam, Aslam Mujahid, Syed Hafeezullah, Professor Ghafoor Ahmad and myself.

On the occasion, an industrialist friend of Aslam Mujahid, Abdul Jabbar Gajiani handed over a generous cheque. Dr. Rao Muhammad Naeem, an active member of PIMA, was appointed as the center’s administrator.