Lahore: Professor Dr. M. Akhtar Khan breathed his last at the age of 97. He was the most senior KEMCOLIAN, renowned for his honesty and dedication towards the field of Medicine and KEMU. He was the principal of KEMC from 1973 to 1979. He also remained chairman of board of studies, Punjab University. He was vice president of PMDC from 1976 to 1979.
Despite his old age, he was still in active practice with enthusiasm to provide hope and cure to patients. In addition to his services to KEMC (now KEMU), he also played key role in the establishment of Shalimar hospital, Lahore. He also had developed Gujranwala welfare clinic founded by his brother. There, along with routine checkup, free camps for diabetic and psychiatric care are held.
His views on quackery were to train the quacks rather than just finish them off as they are deep rooted in our society. He was of the opinion that to get rid of them is practically impossible and even if it is done, our own people will suffer as medical facilities are not enough for them. Trained the quacks like in Poland will make them valuable for society and is practical and efficient.
His opinion about the agitating Young doctors was that it is a tragedy indeed because in his times every medical student was sure of his future career. “There was a certainty in his mind and soul. Now we see that most of them don’t even know what they are going to do in future. This has developed a frustration in our young students which has led to what we see today as protests and strikes”.
His message to young students was to use scientific minds. Whatever knowledge they get they should apply it practically. The publisher, editor and all staff members of Medical News express their heartfelt condolences on the sad demise of Prof Akhtar and pray to Allah to grant him a place in Heaven (Aameen).