Dr. Mohsin Rashid Visit to Muhammad Medical College

I was very fortunate to get an opportunity to visit Muhammad Medical College in Mirpurkhas on December 22, 2010.  This was through the courtesy of Prof. Dr. Zafar Abbas, a consultant gastroenterologist at the college and one of the founders of the institution.  I was in Pakistan on a university sabbatical leave to gather information on a book that I was writing about celiac disease and gluten-free diet in Pakistan.  This included a trip to Karachi to meet some health professionals and patients and also to make presentations at various medical institutions.  Prof. Zafar had extended a kind invitation to visit Muhammad Medical College and I am so glad that I was able to make the trip.

Setting up a medical institution in a non-urban area is a huge undertaking and the founders of Muhammad Medical College had the vision and courage to take this on challenge.  The College has a very well-constructed, neatly kept premises set in a serene and peaceful surrounding. It has a range of well equipped basic science and clinical departments.

Muhammad Medical College takes students from all over Pakistan. This enriches the learning environment as students bring a variety of perspectives to the classroom. I found the students charming, happy and enthusiastic. Good discipline was obvious. A large number of students showed up at the presentations that I made despite being off on study leave.

The enthusiasm was not limited to students.  I had the opportunity to meet some of the faculty members who seemed very professional and motivated.  A meeting with the leadership also revealed the same vigour to advance the mission of the College forward by providing high quality medical education. A scrumptious lunch with the faculty provided a forum for further discussion and exchange of ideas.

I felt very welcomed by everyone that I met. The kindness and honour bestowed was most gracious. The accommodation arrangements for the overnight stay were excellent and the gifts provided were further examples of the traditional Sindhi hospitality.

The memories of the visit to Muhammad Medical College will always be cherished. I hope to visit the College again in the not too distant future.

Dr. Mohsin Rashid MBBS, MEd, FRCP(C)
Consultant Gastroenterologist
Associate Professor of Paediatrics & Medical Education
Dalhousie University
Canada

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