Credit:All Africa via Wasim Saroya
interview
In this week’s Health Promotion Column, we bring excerpts of the interview we had with Dr. Tahir Mehmood Minhas , general and plastic surgeon of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Hospital in the Gambia. Dr Minhas spoke at length on a wide range of issues including his profile, educational background, work experience, among other important issues surrounding his occupation.
Below is the excerpts of the interview.
Can you tell us your background?
My name is Dr Tahir Mehmood Minhas and I was born in Pakistan on 5th of March 1971, after completing F.S.C ( pre-Medical) I entered in Quaid-e-Azam Medical College Bahawalpur as medical student in 1989, after passing my MBBS in 1995,I passed my FCPS part1 in surgery, then entered into the training program for post graduation for surgery and then passed my FCPS (Fellow of College for Physicians and Surgeons of Pakistan in Surgery.
In 2006 I was offered to work as a Consultant plastic Surgeon at Quaid-e-Azam medical College Bahawalpur Pakistan were I was working up to this time and then posted as a devotee surgeon to The Gambia.
I am qualified general and plastic surgeon and the first one as a devotee doctor in Africa under the banner of Majlis Nusrat Jahan Scheme which started in 1970 a service to humanity Philanthropic Services in Africa under the blessed guidance of Hadhrat Mirza Nasir Ahmad Masih 111 Alhamdulillah , I am the only plastic Surgeon in the sub- region.
What motivated you to come to work in The Gambia?
It was a long time my very strong desire to work in Africa when I was asked to offer my services by Mubarak Ahmad Tahir Sahib (Secretary Majlis Nusrat Jahan) Rabwah, Pakistan but I knew the facilities and expertise in Surgery in Africa was very less so I tried to get this opportunity to acquire this expertise and Allah the Almighty gave me this so when I wanted to come to Africa, I was especially sent to Gambia by my beloved Imam Hazrat Khalifatul Masih the V, he noted that there is a strong history between Jamaat and the People of Gambia now. I am very happy to be here with all Gambian fellows to help them and even the whole Sub- region in the field of general and plastic Surgery.
Categories: Africa, Death, Health, Human values, Humanity First, Islam: A Religion of Peace, Muslims for Peace
I, Dr Anwar Ahmad was the 1st Ahmadi Dr in Gambia under Nusrat Jahan scheme (1971-1975 ).
The present Amir was a high school student at that time.
Sir Singhate,Mr T.B. Foon & Mr Aleo Bah were among the Jamaat leaders.
Dr Minhas, good job & good luck.
Salaam to all the Jamaat & Hello to Chelarams,our best Hindu friends.
Great job Dr. Minhas.
You are one step ahead of me. I also have plans to explore possibilities in Gambia as a General Surgeon.
I have been here as a kid when my father ( Dr. Tahir Ahmad) served Nusrat Jahan as a doctor in 1970s. I recently fled to Canada for reasons all Ahmadis know and while here I developed some contacts in Gambia.
Keep it up Dr. Minhas and see you there some time soon.
Dr. Azhar