150TH ANNIVERSARY OF KING EDWARD MEDICAL UNIVERSITY, LAHORE COMMEMORATIVE POSTAGE STAMP August 28, 2012 (2012-16)

In the year 1857, the idea of a medical school for the undivided Punjab was placed before the Imperial Government.In 1860, Dr. J.B. Scriven became the first Principal of the proposed Lahore Medical School. It started functioning in Artillery Barracks at the present site of the Government College. This was the second college in Hindustan, the first was built in Calcutta. Matriculation examination was taken by the Principal of the Lahore Medical School as an entry examination to be the medical student. A 60 bedded hospital was attached with this medical school. This hospital was situated in the foreign stables near Tibbi police station, Taxali Gate Lahore. In 1868 the Senate of the Universitty of Dublin granted students of the Lahore Medical School "privilege similar to the granted to students from English Schools".

The present famous Mayo Hospital building was completed in 1870, on an area of 52.2 Acres, and was named after the Earl of Mayo.

With the opening of Punjab University in 1870, the responsibility of conducting exams was entrusted to the University. Training of hospital assistants and assistant surgeons was started in 1879. Training for Dai's was started in 1882 and Nursing school was started in 1883. This institution came to be known as the Lahore Medical College in 1886.

The foundation stone of the Mayo Hospital extension as part of the King Edward VII Memorial Fund was Laid on the 21st of December, 1911. Since that time, the Lahore Medical College came to be known as King Edward Medical College. The K.E.M.C. comprised:

(a) Patiala Block: administrative offices, a large library cum examination hall, four lecture theatres, a museum, a council room and common rooms for staff and students.

(b) Bahawalpur Block: the Pathology Department on the ground floor and the Physiology Department on the first floor each with a lecture theatre, practical classrooms, work rooms, etc.

(c) Faridkot Block: a complete unit for teaching Anatomy.

(d) Kapurthala Block: the Department of Materia Medica.

(e) A cold storage block with separate Pathology and medico legal postmortem theatres.

The Government Hospital for women and children was officialy opened by the Countess of Willington in 1933 and named after her. MBBS degree was recognized by GMC of England in 1936. This year BDS classes were introduced and first issue of KEMCOL was published.

During the Second World War, the Principal organized a Medical College Ambulance Corps. However, it was 1947, when under the supervision of stalwarts like Colonel llahi Bakhsh, Riaz-e-Qadeer and Sardar Ali Sheikh that the students worked selflessly to attend the down-trodden people who had migrated from India.

After the creation of Pakistan, Colonel Ilahi Bakhsh was appointed the first Principal of KEMC. It was the vision of the Col. Ilahi Bukhsh and succeeding Principals that new departments and chairs were created as the years passed by, in the field of operative surgery, ENT, Clinical, Midwifery, Anesthesia, Cardiology., Thoracic Surgery, Neurology, Dermatology, Orthopedic and Pediatrics. Recent additions, Plastic Surgery department started in 1989 and Maxillofacial surgery started functioning in 1997.

College of Ophthalmology and Allied Vision Science (COAVS) was established in 2004 and is imparting education in 9 new courses in ophthalmology, COAVS has now been recognized nationally and internationally in the field of eye health. Postgraduate courses lead to the following Diplomas.

M.D., M.S. D.M.R.E., D.T.C.D. D.L.O., D.A.M.S., D.A, D.C.P. D.M.R.T., D.M.R.D., D.G.O., F.C.P.S.

The Islamic Summit Conference took place in Lahore in 1974 and the staff of King Edward Medical College, gave round the Clock Medical Care to the visiting, heads of the States. In December 1976 King Edward Medical College hosted a National Teachers Convention.

Prof. Mumtaz Hassan became the Principal of KEMC in the year 1999. It was due to his efforts that King Edward Medical College was upgraded to the level of the university. This historic event of formation of King Edward Medical University took place on 12th May 2005 when the Act of the Establishment of King Edward Medical University was passed. The Notification was issued on 7th January 2006 by the orders of the Governor of Punjab and Prof. Mumtaz Hassan was appointed as acting Vice Chancellor of this second oldest institute of the subcontinent.

Prof. M. Zafarullah Khan was appointed the second acting vice chancellor of the university and he continued his efforts to establish this institution.

After the retirement of Prof. M. Zafarullah Khan, Prof. Asad Aslam Khan (Sitara-i-Imtiaz), the Pro-Vice Chancellor, has entrusted with the duties of Vice Chancellor of King Edward Medical University. Under his leadership following landmarks has been achieved: (i). The Dead Project of Strengthening of KEMU sponsored by HEC was made live by contributing funds from the own resources from the University which is at the final stage of completion. (ii) An Animal House has been established to stimulate the state of the art research facilities.

(iii) Students Facilitation Area has been developed to cater to the needs of the

Kemcolians, (v) Advanced Lab. & Diagnostic Centre has been established which has upgraded teaching, research and diagnostic facilities by many folds on the one hand and will not only provide all types diagnostic facilities to the public at large at affordable rates but will also serve as source of generating own resources for the KEMU.

The Kind Edward Medical University is offering the following programs.

1). Undergraduate Programs:

MBBS, DPT (Doctor of Physiotherapy), B.Sc. (Vision Sciences), B.Sc. (Allied Health Sciences in 20 disciplines), B.Sc. (Nursing), TDP. (Transition Doctors of Physiotherapy)

ii). Postgraduate Programs:

i). Diploma programs in 20 Disciplines

ii). M.Phil (Basic Sciences) in 14 Disciplines

iii). iv). M.D. (Medicine and allied Specialties ) in 20 Disciplines M.S. (Surgery and allied specialties) in 20 Disciplines

v). MDS (Dental Surgery) in 5 Disciplines

vi). FCPS/MRCP (Training in all specialties)

iii). Doctoral Programs (Ph.D)

i) Doctoral Program in 16 Discipline.

The University is determined and vigorously putting the best efforts to make KEMU the State of the Art Institution to enable it to achieve its core objective viz, to part, improve and upgrade teaching, medical and diagnostic facilities and stimulate innovation through research.

On the occasion of 150th Anniversary of King Edward Medical University, Lahore, Pakistan Post is issuing a commemorative postage stamp of Rs.8/- denomination on August 28, 2012.

PREVENTION OF THALASSEMIA MAJOR IN PAKISTAN May 8, 2012 (2012-11)

 

Thalassemia Major -A grim picture warranting every step from those who care:- Thalassemia Major is the most common deadly genetic disorder worldwide and consists of a very severe, transfusion dependent, anemia generally presented during the first year of life. It occurs when both parents are Thalassemia carrier. It's particularly associated with people of Mediterranean, Indian subcontinent and Middle East origin. The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified control of haemoglobinopathies, particularly ẞ-thalassemia, in developing world, as a priority.

There are approximately 80000 children suffering from this ailment in Pakistan and further estimated 5000- 9000 children with ẞ-thalassemia are born per year, although no documentary registry is available in Pakistan. The estimated carrier rate is 5-7%, (9.8 million carriers in the total population) with the ethnic distribution of Punjabi- 4.6%, Pathan 5.2%, Sindhi- 4.3%, Baluch-8.0%, Urdu Speaking-5.3%.

With gradual control of malnutrition and communicable diseases, B- thalassemia major patients who earlier died young are now surviving long enough to seek medical attention. In developing countries like Pakistan, this poses an increasing burden for health-care services as adequate blood transfusions with effective iron chelation and bone marrow transplantation is affordable for just a few, therefore, prevention has been demonstrated to be the way forward.

Having a child with Thalassemia major may cost a family an average of 200,000 rupees per year for non curative supportive care i.e. regular blood transfusion and removal of toxic iron from the body by injection or tablets which is higher than average income. Even though optimal supportive care may extend life expectancy to adulthood, this is not accessible to the majority of Pakistani children and most of them die prior to adolescence. In addition, because of frequent transfusions, many children acquire blood borne infection, particularly Hepatitis C.

This extremely depressing and exhaustive ailment is preventable. Countries like Italy, Cyprus, Sardinia and Iran have completely eliminated further birth of Thalassemia children from their countries by creating mass awareness and blood screening etc. Effectiveness of a 20-year control program in Sardinia is evidenced by reduction of the birth rate of thalassemia major from 1:250 live births to 1:4000. Mass awareness, Population screening, genetic counseling, prenatal diagnosis and option of terminating affected pregnancies remain the mainstay strategy to devise an effective Thalassemia control program.

In Pakistan there is dire need to take every step possible to prevent further birth of Thalassemia children. Besides other measures, creating mass awareness in this regard would be of immense value.

Cure2 Children (C2C) foundation is an international nonprofit organization authorized to work in Pakistan. It is made by effected Italian and Pakistani parents and the treating Italian physician of their children. Through their program of "Prevention and cure of Thalassemia major in Pakistan", a 'Bone Marrow Transplant unit in Children hospital, Pakistan Institute of Medical sciences (PIMS) has been established with the collaboration of PIMS. Here, Bone Marrow transplants of 39 Thalassemia children have been performed with the joint efforts of C2C, PIMS and Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal

In continuation of efforts for prevention of Thalassemia major in Pakistan, the C2CF has requested Pakistan Post Department for issuance of a series of Postal stamps. C2C has got these designed and painted by 'Andrea Mancini', a famous artist from Florence, Italy. Issuance of a series of Postage Stamp aimed at creating mass awareness in this regard will go a long way in this humane mission.

On Prevention of Thalassemia major, Pakistan Post is issuing a commemorative postage stamp of Rs.8/- denomination on May 8, 2012.

EID CELEBRATION (2012-15)

Special Postage Stamps on The Eve of Eid Celebration August 13, 2012:- Eid-ul-Fitr is the most important festival in the Islamic Calendar. This festival is the Culminating point of the Holy month of Ramzan, during which Quran-ul-Hakeem and Laila-tul-Qadar (Night of Grandeur) were gifted to the Muslim Ummah. While fasting teaches us self-discipline and provides us moral and spiritual blessings, Eid-ul-Fitr marks the end of the fasting and brings the message of collective merry-making as well as sharing our good fortune with the less fortune in our fraternity.

The entire Muslim Ummah celebrates this most auspicious festival in every nook and corner of the world with great spiritual devotion, offering Eid prayers in Eidgahs, mosques or open spaces in towns and cities. The Eid prayer is the climax of this grand festival. One can see during this special congregation endless sight of row upon row of the faithful spread across the open air Eidgahs, a supreme manifestation of Muslim fraternity and equality of mankind.

After Eid prayers, the Muslims embrace and greet other fellow Muslims and pay visits to graveyards to pray for the departed souls. This sufficiently indicates that Islam is the religion of peace, friendship and aspires to promote universal brotherhood. Special sweet dishes are prepared and served to friends, relatives and other visitors. The young folk wear bright costumes and enjoy themselves with various types of entertainments on Eid day including a visit to special Eid Fairs and participating in different cultural activities. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) used to wear a new dress on this occasion. But it was always very simple which every member of the brother could afford.

No boubt, there were people who could not even afford such simple dresses. To make it possible for them to join the rejoicings of Eid, the Holy Prophet (PBUH) ordered the rich to pay them a prescribed amount (known as fitrana) in advance, so that they may be able to get their new dress prepared for the occasion. The institution of Fitrana re-inforces Islam’s emphasis on one’s obligations towards society. Some of the prescribed practices or special spiritual etiquettes of Eid-ul-Fitr are given below:-

It is compulsory fo all the faithful to take a bath and wear new dress.

It is Sunnah to eat dates or some sweet dish before leaving for Eid prayers. The Holly Prophet (PBUH) always use to go for Eid congregation after eating some dates. (reported by Anas Bin Maalik & collected in Saheeh Al-Bukhari (Eng. Trans, Vol. 2 P-40 No. 73) & Ahmad.

It is Sunnah to recite “Takbiraat “loudly while going to Eidgah for offering Eid prayers or coming back from there. It is reported that the Holy Prophet (PBUH) himself used to recite these “Takbiraat” with a loud voice on Eid Day.

Pay Fitrana before Eid prayers to ensure that the less fortunate among us are also enabled to share the festivities. Fitrana is to be paid for every young or old. Its rates are fixed according to the prevailing rates of wheet and dates by Ulema.

It is preferable to offer “Eid Prayer” in an open ground or Eidgah and not in the Masjid, if possible. (Bukhri and Muslim)

It is Sunnah to adopt different routes to and from the Eidgah, preferable going on foot. The Holly Prophet (PBUH) himself used to go the Eidgah on foot and declared that it was more reqarding to seek the Divine blessings. Jabir reported that Prophet (PBUH) used to come back from the Eid prayer on a path other than the one used in going to it.

Sending Eid greetings to friends and relatives are customary on this occasion throughout the Muslim world. Exchange of special Eid cards is to show affection for the near and dear ones.

Pakistan Post Office has been issuing beautiful designed Eid Cards at different times. A special Eid Greeting envelope was also issued by Pakistan Post Office. Pakistan office issued following stamps on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr in the past.

On 24th December, 1999 two stamps of Rs. 2 & 15 denomination were issued.

On 14th November, 2002 One stamp of Rs. 4 denomination was issued.

On the eve of Eid celebration, Pakistan Post is issuing a Set of 4 Special postage stamps of each Rs.8/- denomination on August 13, 2012.

CHILD ART COMPETITION NATIONAL STAMP EXHIBITION "KURRACHEE 2012" Special Postage Stamps Sheet June 22, 2012 (2012-14)

 

The basic concept behind the Child Art Competition is to bring the creativity in the young and how they express their ideas to the world. To encourage arid promote this art, and to achieve a milestone in the world of Philately Pakistan Post is issuing a sheet of 8 postage stamps depicting "An Won by the children designs which are taken from the selected "Stamp Drawing Competitions" held by Stamp Society of Pakistan/Pakistan Post as a live event during the past two years

The Stamp Society of Pakistan had organized National Stamp Exhibition and Stamp Drawing Competitions jointly sponsored by Dawn Group, Philatelic Federation of Pakistan and Pakistan Post Office based on FIAP rules at Expo Centre. Karachi. During the last two years, this was held within the "Life Style Exhibition" organized by Dawn Group

The Stamp Society of Pakistan is among the pioneering Stamp Society in Karachi with over 150 members and has been proactive in disseminating knowledge and awareness through regular exhibitions. In collaboration with the Dawn Lifestyle and the patronage of Philatelic Federation of Pakistan, the exhibillions is very popular. A number of new stamp collector got rejuvenated as collectors and some also participated in the Asian and international exhibitions after due accreditation and judging at Expo Centre, Karachi

The stamp drawing competitions has always been an essential part of every exhibition and have accomplished the glory of Stamp printing which have been selected from the drawing competition in 2009/2010 on the occasion of National Stamp Exhibition titled "Kurrachee 2011". That was the very first time in the History of the World that printing postage stamp made through the LIVE Stamp Drawing competition

This Youth Painting Competition is divided in two age groups. Group "A" for children from 4 to 10 years old and group "B" from 11 to 15 years. The competition is announced well in advance in the news papers, and large number of children from all major school of Karachi/Sindh participate in the competition alongwith their teachers and parents Participation and interest of children has increased each year and we have now seen entries from all over Pakistan The children have portrayed the given topics on their paintings in a very creative manner.

Children not only draw from life, but also portray what is happing around them. They also become more aware of the current situations of the country, which they try to depict in their paintings it's a real treat to see the excitement and interest of the children and a strong desire to draw better from others participants in just two hours

The Jury comprising of Mr. Adil Salahuddin, (Sitara-e-Imtiaz), Senior Officials of Pakistan Post and Philatelic Federation of Pakistan to judge the

paintings

A set of eight stamps with two labels in the center are being issued from the selected paintings by the following young artists. These drawings have been taken also from the past competitions.

The selected Artworks of the following children depicted on the Postage Stamps and First Day Cover.

Priya Parkash Mansha St. Patrick Girls High School Age: 13.5 Years	Ali Muhammad Nizar Foundation Public School. Age: 8 Years	LOGO of Pakistan Post	Samayan Hasan Khan Happy Home Scand Hussainabad. Age: 10 Years	Sheza Ashraf Happy Home Screa Age: 15 Years
Yamna Naveed St. Patrick's Girls High School. Age: 10 Years	Ayesha Qureshi Karachi Public School. Age: 7.5 Years	KURRACHEE 2012 PHILATELIC EXHIBITION	Vania Rizvi Bay View High Middle School Age: 13 Years	Marium Shahzad The Country Scavol Age: 13 Years

·         Priya Parkash Mansha St. Patrick Girls High School Age: 13.5 Years

·         Ali Muhammad Nizar Foundation Public School. Age: 8 Years

·         Samayan Hasan Khan Happy Home Scand Hussainabad. Age: 10 Years

·         Sheza Ashraf Happy Home Screa Age: 15 Years

·         Yamna Naveed St. Patrick's Girls High School. Age: 10 Years

·         Ayesha Qureshi , Karachi Public School. Age: 7.5 Years

·         Vania Rizvi Bay View High Middle School Age: 13 Years

·         Marium Shahzad The Country Scavol Age: 13 Years

Paintings on First Day Cover by MALAIKA ZIA JAFRI: Age 7 Years Froebel Education Center Karachi and AYSHA KHAN Age 7 years

This is the third time that the paintings selected from Live Stamp Drawing Competitions are depicted on stamps and fourth time for the Child Art. This effort by the organizers and Pakistan Post has encouraged the youth and opened the doorway to young artists in the country, one day they will also became serious Philatelists.

This is combined team work of Pakistan Post, Mr. Adil Salahuddin, the Organizers Mr. Iqbal Nanjee (Chairman of Organizing committere & President Engr. Afzal Nanjee, Mr. Usman Tahir of Stamp Society of Pakistan, and the officials of Philatelic Federation who took keen interest in organizing the events for the Philatelic World.

GOLDEN JUBILEE AYUB BRIDGE 1962-2012 (2012- 13)

 

Golden Jubilee of Ayub Bridge Commemorative Postage Stamp June 15, 2012:- The bridge was designed by Dr. D.B Steinman of New York and it was constructed by Doman Long Ltd (German) in association with M.S Gammon Construction Ltd. (Pakistan. Construction of Ayub Bridge was commenced on November 26, 1959 and completed on March 17, 1962. Total cost of the bridge at the time of construction was 21.6 million Pak rupees. The bridge was inaugurated by the then President of Pakistan, Field Marshal Muhammad Ayub Khan and opened for Rail traffic on May 6, 1962.

This is Steel Arch Suspension Bridge. The height of Crown of arch above bearing is 204.7 feet. The quantities of steel, High Tensile steel and Mild steel are respectively 131 tons, 1002 tons (main chord) and 1907 ton (rest of the portion of bridge). Span of the bridge is 806 feet and 9 inches.

The road over the Sukkur barrage involving a distance of 13 kilometers betweenSukkur and Rohri Railway Station remained the only road connection between Sukkur and Rohri. It was decided to utilize the Lansdowne Bridge for road traffic by providing a roadway. The work was started on December 16, 1963 and completed on June 10, 1964. By opening of roadway the distance for the road taffic between Sukkur and Rohri was reduced to 5 kilometers as against 13 kilometers over the Sukkur Barrage. Lansdowne Bridgte was a road bridge and it is still in working condition having full functional capacity. There is a beautiful Hindu sacred shrine in downstream of this bridge with a graceful Army Restoration.

It has a proper decking for Army purposes. It may serve as a road bridge as well as an emergency bridge during war time. Even the heaviest vehicle like Tanks can also easily cross over this bridge. It is truly called as the masterpiece of Railway Engineers.

There was no such engineered arch at that time in Asia, when this arch of 800 meters was buils in 1962. Even today as it stands, has the third largest arch’s position in Asia. Ayub Bridge has been constructed with the help of such a fine and best quality material that it still stands in its original state. While coming from Lahore to Rohri, this gigantic bridge can be easily seen from a distance of 04 kilometers.

On the Golden Jubilee of Ayub Bridge, Pakistan Post is issuing a commemorative postage stamp of Rs.8/- denomination on June 15, 2012.