MUZAFFARABAD: Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly Speaker and senior Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Chaudhry Latif Akbar on Tuesday organised a heartfelt prayer meeting for the recovery of two prominent healthcare sector figures from Muzaffarabad, who are currently battling serious illnesses.

The event coincided with the sacred occasion of Eid Miladun Nabi (peace be upon him), held at Mr Akbar’s residence, a venue often used to honour and celebrate the accomplishments of his colleagues in politics, bureaucracy, media, and other fields. However, in times of hardship, these gatherings would transform into solemn prayer meetings, and Tuesday’s event was no exception.

Special prayers were offered for the recovery of Dr Bashir ur Rehman Kanth and Dr Bushra Shams, both highly respected professionals, who are undergoing treatment for brain haemorrhage and breast cancer, respectively.

Dr Kanth, a trailblazer in the healthcare sector as the first FCPS-qualified surgeon from Muzaffarabad, is credited for dedicating his life to serving the people of AJK.

With decades of unmatched devotion, he has not only served as a clinician but also played a significant role in shaping healthcare policy as the surgeon general and executive director of the Abbas Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS).

Even after his retirement, his influence persisted as he had been mentoring future healthcare professionals at the AJK University’s Department of Health Sciences.

Last Thursday, a day before he had planned to discuss establishing a state-of-the-art nursing college in Muzaffarabad, he fell unconscious and was rushed to CMH Muzaffarabad, where he was diagnosed with a brain haemorrhage. He was later transferred to a major facility in Islamabad, where he continues to fight for his life.

Similarly, Dr Shams, known for her remarkable leadership skills, has also contributed significantly to AJK’s healthcare landscape. She is largely credited with reinforcing and strengthening the previously dormant Expanded Programme for Immunisation. Ms Shams, currently serving as the provincial head of the World Health Organization (WHO) for AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan, has previously led the provincial chapters of other UN agencies, including UNFPA and UN Women.

According to family sources, around a decade ago, Ms Shams was diagnosed with colon cancer, which she fought with immense willpower, achieving full recovery. However, in a unique case, she was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and is once again bravely battling for her health with utmost resilience.

Having lived active, dedicated lives, both Dr Kanth and Dr Shams have earned the admiration of their peers and the broader community, and their illnesses have therefore plunged not only their colleagues but also the wider populace into a state of deep concern.

In his address at the prayer meeting, the AJKLA Speaker, who is the most senior Kashmiri parliamentarian, noted that the duo had set standards that would continue to inspire future generations.

“I urge all of us to raise our hands in prayer for their swift recovery. Both health professionals have given their lives to serve humanity. Let us now come together to pray that they may return to us soon, fully recovered, to continue their noble work. May Allah grant them shifa and the strength to overcome these trials,” he said.

Published in Dawn, September 19th, 2024