Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS) organized a Ceremony to honour Pakistani Director and Oscar Award Winner Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoey and Dow Alumni Dr. Mohammad Ali Jawwad, Member Oscar Winning Team and Plastic Surgeon behind repairing faces of acid victims were honoured by his mother institution for his contribution in ‘Saving Face’ with Gold Medal and Lifetime Achievement Awards at a Ceremony recently at Arag Auditorium of Dow Medical College.
Dr. Jawwad sharing his views on the occasion said that the plight of the women subjected to a barbarian aspect of the human nature that compels the perpetrator to deface and condemn their victims for life is not Pakistan-specific, but quite characteristic of many other nations of the world, be it India or Korea or any other country. As healthcare providers, it is the joint responsibility of the entire medical community to help out those in need of their medical expertise, without any discrimination and distinction.
Reminiscing his medical college days, Dr. Jawwad informed that despite all differences and above all significant limitations in terms of material, there existed a spirit even among the students at the Dow Medical College (DMC) during 1976-1984 to help out the patients in need. This was the spirit that led to the formation of the Patients Welfare Association for the resource-less arriving at the Civil Hospital Karachi by the DMC students under the leadership of Dr Abdul Bari Khan, Hanif and others.
In pursuance of this very will to serve humanity, the Indus Hospital was established by doctors, led again by Dr. Khan for people with little resources, and I, as a former class fellow and a plastic surgeon, was asked to come forward for those in need,” he said.
Referring to his role in completion of the documentary, he said that it was meant to highlight the plight, as well as to help all the acid victims and those who could be next in line, through a strong will and to protect them at every level against the practice.
He said that the victims, be they of any gender or from any part of the world, need a multi-level assistance that includes medical intervention (restructuring), psychological as well as emotional support and meaningful rehabilitation. He urged the doctors not to think in terms of material gains, but to understand why they might have been destined to be bestowed upon a critical responsibility, that is serving humanity. There is no dearth of resources, talent or spirit in the country; however, there is the need for proper environment so what little actually exists could adequately flourish.
Prof. Dr Masood Hameed Khan, DUHS Vice Chancellor in his address appreciated the efforts of Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy and her team member Dr. Jawwad for bringing into the light an issue that demands attention at every level. He said that there is no reason to be depressed as God has blessed us with a lot of resources and we only need to properly utilize them. He announced that Dr. Jawwad has joined the DUHS as a visiting faculty member and that a tutorial lecture room at the DMC is also being named after him.
Earlier, Dr. Junaid Ashraf, Principal Dow Medical College called the Oscar a landmark in the history of Pakistan and thanked the entire team of Saving Face for bringing the glory to the country.
At the end of the Ceremoyn, Prof. Dr. Masood Hameed Khan and Prof. Dr. Junaid Ashraf presented a Gold Medal and Lifetime Achievement Award to Dr. Jawwad.