Born
in 1920, orphaned at 2, brought up by a remarkable young widowed mother who
kept her late husband's business running, mentored by his older brother (Abdul Hameed),
young Mohammed Said, after his initial schooling, studied and trained in Unani
(Graeco-Arab) Eastern Medicine, as did his brother. They both had before them
the shining example of their father, Hakim Hafiz Abdul Majeed, who, though he
died at only 30, had made a name for himself and the establishment he had set up
in 1906-Hamdard. It has continued to live up to its name, which means 'sharer of
pain' or 'sympathizer'.
Hamdard
Pakistan, 1948:
Hakim
Mohammed Said migrated to Pakistan in 1948, and established Hamdard in Pakistan
the same year. His father's Hamdard had been a 1-room shop in Old Delhi,
divided in two by a curtain. Hakim Mohammed Said too started Hamdard in Karachi
in 2 rooms, rented in Aram Bagh. That matab is still operational- and, ironically,
it was outside its doorstep that he was assassinated in 1998-ending his career
in Pakistan where he had begun it. But 70 years after its birth, that clinic
has been joined by scores more, till there is a nationwide network of free
Hamdard matabs, where patients are examined and diagnosed without cost, and
only the" very economically priced medicines need to be bought.
Waqf
and then Foundation established:
A
mere 5 years later, in 1953, Hamdard had already established a reputation for quality
herbal medicaments and health-care. But instead of reaping the benefits for himself,
Hakim Mohammed Said converted it into a Waqf, the profits of which were - and
are used for Allah's work: charity, nation - building, and culture-promoting activities.
Some years later in 1964, the Hamdard Foundation Pakistan was formed to take
considered decisions about the disbursement of the Laboratory funds and lay down
guidelines for Hamdard's activities, which continued to widen.
Hamdard
Free Mobile Dispensaries:
In
1953, one vehicle was provided with free health-care facilities for the needy
at their doorsteps, in remote areas of Karachi. Today, there is a fleet of 22
of these - each carrying a trained hakim and herbal medicines. They serve
eleven cities of the country, and reach and treat over 450.000 people every
year.
Hamdard
Naunehal:
Also
in 1953, Hakim Mohammed Said started publication of an Urdu monthly magazine
for children. Its aim was 'infotainment' as well as character development - and
unconsciously the young readers learn! good language skills. Over 65 years later
it is still going strong! A provincial governor once side he had almost been brought
up on Naunehall
Hamdard
Tibbia College:
1958
saw Hakim Mohammed Said's first venture into education. Today, it is known as
the Hamdard Al-Majeed College of Eastern Medicine and forms a Faculty of the Hamdard
University, offering a 5-year HEC recognised degree course in Unani medicine.
Shaam-e-Hamdard
(1961) and Shura Hamdard (1995):
The
former became one of the best-known and popular forums in the country, hosting
seminars and lectures in major cities, every month. This was converted into Shura
Hamdard Pakistan and continues as a platform for thinkers, writers, poets, and
historians, discussing national issues, making recommendations for concrete steps,
which are sent to concerned government departments.
Bazm-e-Hamdard
Naunehal (1985) & Hamdard Naunehal Assembly (1995):
The
former was converted to the latter. Children between 8 and 15 are given a forum
to voice their thoughts on important issues. Not only doss this increase awareness,
it is excellent training for confident self-expression. Well-known media and
political personalities have emerged from these sessions. They are held monthly
in major Pakistan cities.
Hamdard
Public School (1987) & Hamdard Village School (1997):
One
of Hakim Mohammed Said's most cherished ideals was to help in spreading education
and not just subjects in the curriculum, but also a grounding in moral values
and those cultural norms which were worth preserving. Focus on high standards
of such an education was the purpose of establishing Hamdard Public School,
with no more than 30 pupils per class, so as to ensure adequate teacher's attention.
Excellent results in examinations bear witness to the success of achieving this
goal. Pleasant environment and sports facilities add to the good experience. Not
content with only catering to the educational needs of middle and upper
classes. Hakim Mohammed Said started the unique Hamdard Village School for the
children of villages surrounding Madinat al-Hikmah. Not only was the tuition
completely free, but books, stationery, schoolbags, uniforms, and shoes were
(and are) provided gratis. Vocational training is also provided. Starting from
a suspicious and reluctant handful in 1997 the student numbers have swelled to
over 700. Not just that, they have competed in inter-school events and won
prizes!
Hamdard
University (1992) & Bait al-Hikmah Library (1989):
Situated
in Madinat al-Hikmah (City of Education, Science, and Culture), on the outskirts
of Karachi, is the ever-expanding Hamdard University - the largest private. one
in Pakistan. It has 7 faculties, also city campuses, and one in Islamabad. It
is unique in offering degree courses in both eastern and allopathic medicine,
and the first to recognize and give faculty importance to Information
Technology (IT).
Hamdard
University Hospital (1997) and other Hamdard ones:
Hamdard
University Hospital (aka Taj Medical Complex) is not only a teaching hospital
for its undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate medical students, it is a
fully functional 300-bed hospital, providing the best possible treatment to
patients at subsidized rates.
Hamdard
also runs an eastern medicine hospital (ShifaulMulk Memorial Hospital) and
Naimat Begum Hamdard University Hospital. In addition, it also contributes to other
welfare organizations.
Other
Hamdard philanthropic work:
Just
a few examples of miscellaneous other charitable works engaged in by Hamdard and
launched by Hakim Mohammed Said, are stipends for poor windows and needy people,
different scholarships for meritorious and needy students, Blankets
distribution among the poor families in winter, free ration in the holy month
of Ramzan for needy families, and free patients scheme in Taj Medical Complex
(total free treatment).
On
100th Birthday of Shaheed Hakim Mohammed Said (1920-2020), a Commemorative
Postage Stamp of Rs.20/- denomination is being issued by Pakistan Post on
January 10, 2020.
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