To delve somewhere in alma- mater essentially evince a sentiment of tryst; wayfarer of felicitation, the feeling of infatuation is nostalgically evocative of passing days, yet somehow it relates to the present time as well.
It is the both afresh and pictorial in assortment and reminiscences. Gambat Institute of Medical Sciences is one of the nascent seats of learning in Pakistan. It possesses splendid norms, proud history and timeless elbow-greases of the man of century – DR. RAHIM BUX BHATTI. For too long and for too many, it has been a place of benefaction and reliance from troublesome and pestilent diseases. It is going to impact shape and enthrall scores of individuals that will prove as gems in various fields of medicine and surgery. But the reason to live is same as to serve the humanity.
The alumni of the Gambat Institute of Medical Sciences are famously called as GIMSIANS. A proud appellation that earmark the resplendence and encomium of the institution to whom I owe. The term GIMSIANS originated from GIMS which imports a transmitter that deeds and set to transfer the illustrious elements, timeless values, vast knowledge to the posterity of enlightenment.
The spirit to convey the knowledge is the core of GIMSIANS will. The rationale is to spread the flame of knowledge so as to light up the curiosity and acquisition of knowledge in a broader scope in order to diagnose the diversity of medical cases. The Majestic building, a master piece gardening, shows a sign of peace and serenity for the masses to come. Yet it is hope to remain intact and in unmolested form. Though the structure is a relic of sophistication yet stands in an awe inspiring presence at the left bank of Rohri Canal; that is further more the source of felicitation. Now the point to concrete is that how this infrastructure, Institute and health care system that gives Gambat a unique label ‘THE HEALTH CITY’ came into existence? Its chronology is quite different from other institutions, because it was born in 1934 as merely a two-bedded dispensary that existed as it is for a long period of time then an unsung hero – DR RAHIM BUX BHATTI came to fight all the hurdles and muddles and inference to this the status heaved up to Model Taluka Hospital. Afterwards, it became an Institute and then a Tertiary health care city where all the facilities are provided. Now in this institution four types of transplantations have been done and all are free of cost that includes:
- Hepatic Transplantation
- Renal Transplantation
- Corneal Transplantation
- Bone Marrow Transplantation
Now in next few months GIMS is going to keyhole another remarkable event i.e. ONCOLOGY Hospital that will prove to save millions of lives. It is expected that the institution – GIMS will run on liberal values where knowledge deserves merit. It is going to upgrade and grant the status of University which will mandate it to embark upon research and innovation in the realm of knowledge in the fields of medical sciences. The environment of Gambat institute of Medical Sciences is heterogeneous; it acts as a crossroad of ethnic identities where students from all over Pakistan huddle together to seek knowledge and enlightenment. This cosmopolitan environment creates amity, co-operation, respect and a feeling of co-existence. Discussions, discourses and gossips in the campus enable them to leave behind the prejudices and stereotypical thinking that otherwise clouds their judgment. This characterizing feature has been instrumental to ward-off fissiparous tendencies. This mutual learning enables us to find similarities and iron out differences that leads to inclusions and prosperity. It is hoped, the institution will take pride in its ever-lasting traditions, timeless values and aims at installing these ideals that defines character of human being; respect for iconoclastic voices no matter how hard it is to resist the audacity, to express the opinions freely without any fear, to learn from others with attention and respect so as to dismantle the monument of vanity and ignorance. With an ardent belief that seeking knowledge and learning skills are continuous processes and this realization that we can become better only when we are ready to admit our follies, pitfalls and determined to correct it. A sense of discipline and responsibility that just improved life is worthy of credence. The institution will hopefully produce imminent individuals who will have lasting impact in the field of medical sciences.
As I have mentioned earlier, the institution is nascent at academic side, so that it is going to culture the vibrant and active societies that will prove as hallmark both in curricular and extra-curricular activities. These societies will provide the platform to young GIMSIANS to polish their innate talent by participating as in debating, editing and dramatic societies. Although the institution has tantalizing appeal to poll together the best and brightest students from monophasic spectrum but it will have to accomplish more and more as the matter of facts can achieve.
In the end, an academic as well as teaching hospital sides of institution will remain its relevance where knowledge and skills will not have disseminated but produce merely churning out the old fashioned and oft-repeated ideas cannot auger well. As per motives of founder of GIMS, it is expected that institution will invest more in research and production of innovative ideas to crave a niche in the teaching and clinical forums. May ALLAH SWT keep this institution flourishing in the best service of humanity.
The writer is 3rd year medical student at Gambat Institute of Medical Sciences.