Zubeida Khaliq Memorial Trust

The Zubeida Khaliq Memorial Trust was created in 1980 by Dr. Sikander Hayat Khan in memory of his parents. Its located in the remote area of Sirmik (Baltistan). The initial idea of the trust was to provide basic medical facilities to one of the poorest area's of the world, ( the northern areas of Pakistan ). For an unknown reason, the unfortunate people's of this area have been neglected as far as medical provisions are concerned. Although, trained as a surgeon in the United Kingdom, unlike most Dr. Khan realized the plight of these people and decided to, on his own accord, establish a source of medical aid. Before Pakistan was born this area was a part of Kashmir state ruled by a Maharaja.

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Background of the Area

Political and Cultural Climate

At the time of the partition of the Indian sub-continent the people of the northern area rebelled and joined the newly created state of Pakistan. Geographically this is a far flung part of Pakistan accessible only by the Karakorum highway, approximately 18 hours from the capital ([[Islamabad]), and one hour flight from the capital to Skardu. The area of Baltistan spreads over 10118 square miles. Agriculture based on terrace farming is the main form of subsistence. The monsoons do not reach the areas thus in the absence of rain small water streams are the main source of irrigation hence most of the area has been barren dry land. There are no industries or factories, hence no source of employment except few government jobs which are far and few. Thus unemployment is the norm.

Geography

The area essentially consists of valleys in the mountainous ranges of the Hindu Kush and Karakorum mountains. These valleys are beautiful and rugged. They start high in the mountains lying on both banks of large mountain streams called Nallahs, which start by melting of the glaciers high up in the mountains and flow down and join the Indus River (one of the longest rivers in the world) which eventually after several hundred miles journey joins the Arabian Sea at Karachi (Pakistan). Eight of the highest mountains in the world exist in this area, ( a few listed below )

1. K2
2. Nanga Parbat
3. Gasherbrum
4. Broad Peak
5. Concordia.

People

This is a pristine unspoiled area of Pakistan. The people especially of Baltistan are incredibly docile. Crimes like murder and theft hardly exist and the jails often remain empty. In the modernized world that we live in today, these qualities are considered precious, however the place is still not promoted enough to attract the tourist industry, which results in not enough jobs and more struggle. The only foreigners that are ever seen are the occasional mountaineers. In this millennium in the poorly developed part of the third world, health in official circles is hardly considered worthwhile priority. People die of even the simple illnesses for which the cure had been found years ago.

The Trust

Inspiration

Twenty five years ago, the question of ' Do these people not deserve the same as any other ?' made Dr. Khan initially open two health clinics, one in Sirmik (Baltistan) and the other in Gorikot (Astore). A few years later a third one in Bilamik (Rondu Valley). Paramedics trained by Dr. Khan himself staffed these and also started holding free medical camps in various parts of the northern area during holidays. The camps would start at eight o clock in the morning and finish late night using kerosene oil lamps. At present some forty three thousand are being treated free annually in the three clinics ( regular records are kept ). In addition to these several thousands are treated in the medical camps and no fee is charged.

Dr. Khan has financed the whole operation himself. Recently he has received help from his children who are doctors as well. Dr. Khan retired as a professor of surgery and intends to devote more of his time to this cause. With passage of time things have not improved but as often happens in the third world, health is not a high priority in impoverished areas. As a result resources usually go more towards preventive measures rather than therapeutic. But people still fall ill and still die of curable illnesses.

Plans for the Future

In an effort to boost the therapeutic value of the clinics, it was decided to upgrade the clinics into small hospitals providing certain amount of inpatient treatment including simple surgery. Work has already begun in Sirmik on the new buildings. In the first stages the hospital will include an OPD Operation Theatre, X-Ray path lab and will have the capacity of forty beds, including ten for the children. There will also be a mother and child health care unit to cater to women's illness. The hospital will also pursue preventative programs including hygiene and vaccinations and family planning. The idea behind running the hospital is different from the norm. It is planned that the hospital shall be manned by medical officers, and specialist doctors from Pakistan, as well as various other parts of the world will come and stay for two weeks to treat patients. For this purpose a three bedded cottage is being built next to the hospital where the specialists can stay with their families. As the area is historical and visually beautiful, yet unspoiled by excess tourism there is plenty to see and visit and relax with their families. This program has already been discussed in detail with specialist doctors in Pakistan, the United Kingdom and the United States and has received a lot of enthusiasm.

This program can provide the expert advise of various specialists from medicine, surgery, disability,dermatology, ophthalmology, ear care, etc. available to these areas which is unheard of in the third world. The reason why these specialists cannot work there full time is the lack of basic facilities like schools and accommodations. The hospital in Sirmik is hoped to be ready by this autumn. So far Dr. Khan has been able to manage but help is required now and donors will be welcome there. These are just some introductory thoughts and visions that Dr. Khan has for the safe future of this part of the country.