Lahore: The death of one of the pioneers in neurosurgery in Pakistan, Prof Bashir Ahmed, was widely mourned in the local medical community as he commanded great respect among his colleagues and juniors.

“No doubt Prof Bashir Ahmed was teacher of teachers, a pioneer in neurosurgery in Pakistan, a great mentor and an immortal in the world of neurosurgery”, one of his students said.

Prof Bashir Ahmed died on Saturday and was laid to rest at Miani Sahib graveyard on Sunday.

Hundreds of doctors, including serving and former vice chancellors of medical universities, principals, professors, representatives of medical associations, health department officials from all over the country attended the funeral of late Prof Bashir.

Many of the senior medics occupying prime positions in various government institutions were students of this ‘distinguished teacher’.

He was founder of the Lahore General Hospital’s neurosurgery department that he established 50 years ago in 1964. He was the first professor of neurosurgery in Punjab.

Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Javed Akram recalled how Prof Bashir earned fame through his professional skills and commitment.

Listing academic and professional achievements of his late teacher, Prof Akram said Prof Bashir had been principal of King Medical Edward College, Lahore, from Oct 1989 to Dec 1993, a consultant neurosurgeon to Combined Military Hospital, Lahore, founding member and president of Society of Neurosurgeons of Pakistan, president of Middle East Society of Neurosurgeons, visiting neurosurgeon at Garyounis University, Benghazi, Libya, dean of faculty of medicine and dentistry, University of Punjab etc.

He said Prof Bashir was among a few senior teachers who were granted BPS-22 (in 1993), besides having many other distinctions, including Lifetime Achievement Award from the Pakistan Society of Surgeons.

He started practicing neurosurgery in the old barracks of LGH and within a short span managed to set up a fully-equipped Neuro-Diagnostic Centre and a 150-bed neurosurgery unit, including neuro-radiology, neuro-pathology, neuro-physiology, neuro-anesthesiology, neuro-rehabilitation facilities etc. Prof Akram said the department was equipped with the first CT scan machine in 1979, along with the latest Modulus Operation Theatre.

“Due to his (Prof Bashir’s) continuous struggle and hard work, he managed to establish the biggest Neuro-Surgical Centre of the country at the LGH”, he said.

Along with developmental work, Prof Bashir also took keen interest in training his residents. His students are currently heading various Neurosurgical Centers in Pakistan and overseas and many others are successful consultant neurosurgeons.

Prof Bashir had a special interest in academic and research work. He represented Pakistan at the World Federation of Neurosurgical Society (WFNS) with his research work on various topics of neurosurgery. He presented over 40 papers in various national and international conferences.

“Prof Bashir was also pioneer in introducing modern medial technology in Pakistan”, Prof Javed Akram added.

Pakistan Association of Neuro Surgeons vice president Prof Anjum Habib Vohra said Prof Bashir earned fame through his professional skills and commitment with his noble cause. He was very compassionate and kind to patients as well as his juniors, he added. Prof Vohra said services of Prof Bashir Ahmed would not be forgotten for long and his mission to serve the ailing humanity would continue.

Published in Dawn, December 15th, 2014