While discussing the Mayo Hospital, a not too bright acquaintance, belonging to Mewati community, actually had the audacity to attempt to link his community to the hospital. Not knowing whether to laugh or cry, I told him he had the wrong Meo in mind.

Speaking of Mayo Hospital, a little historical perspective may not be out of place. Going through the web and an old book on Lahore “Lahorenama” you find the following information. The hospital is one of the oldest in Pakistan. It spans from the Sriya Ratan Chand to the Anarkali Bazaar. Since it is a teaching hospital, if you compound its affiliated medical college, the King Edward Medical University (KEMU), its boundaries extend to Neela Gumbad. Interestingly, the medical university is the second oldest institution in South Asia. Adjoining the hospital building is another hospital building, the Albert Victor Hospital. Since its inception it was separate building but interconnected wing of the Mayo Hospital. The historical divide was between the types of patients, the wing catered to the gentry.

Incidentally the building was designed by Sir Ganga Ram, a civil engineer and prolific philanthropist responsible for designing and building a significant part of Lahore including: the General Post Office, the Lahore Museum, the Aitchison College, the Mayo School of Arts (now the NCA), the Ganga Ram Hospital, the Lady Mclagan Girls High School, the chemistry department of the Government College Lahore (now GC University), the Hailey College of Commerce, the Ravi Road House for the Disabled, the Ganga Ram Trust Building on The Mall and the Lady Maynard Industrial School. He also constructed Model Town, what was once considered the best locality of Lahore.

Getting back to Mayo Hospital it is based on Italian design by Pudon. It was built under the supervision of engineer Rai Bahadur Kanahya Lal. The building was completed in 1870 and operations began the following year. It was named after ‘Lord Mayo’, the Viceroy of British India, Richard Bourke. By the way the King Edward Medical College came into existence a decade earlier than its affiliated teaching hospital.

In the old days there were numerous bungalows in its vicinity, including one which catered to animals. The veterinary hospital was later moved to the road from ‘Zila Kachari’ to ‘Sant Nagar’. On a final note, in parting, the hospital was built in the area which was previously the garden of Hari Singh, the commander-in-chief of the Sikh ‘Khalsa’ army, during the Sikh rule over Lahore.

The topic of the hospital came to mind going through an item on the still vacant post of the KEMU vice chancellor. The post has been vacant for months in the 158-year-old institution and is drawing criticism from all quarters. Apparently, the reluctance shown by the latest candidate to join, led to the cancellation of his appointment.

In other health related news, things were not all good. The protest of Lady Health Workers finally culminated prior to the weekend, after some concession made by the government, in terms of regularisation of their salary structures. The case of a patient attendant, Sunil Saleem, continues to haunt the Services Hospital. It was finally confirmed that victim died of multiple rib fractures sustained during a beating by the Young Delinquent Doctors Association, or Young Doctors Association, as they like to refer themselves as and the hospital security staff. The justification provided by a spokesman about long duty hours as the cause of irritability, was pathetic to say the least. The profession of doctors as a noble one dedicated to serving humanity, is sadly floundering in our nation, despite the fact that it is an integral part of our religion. Perhaps a lesson can be learned from all the historical institutions which were in place and all linked to people of other faiths: Mayo, Albert Victor, Lady Aitchison, Lady Willingdon, De’ Montmorency, Gulab Devi and Ganga Ram. — (AmLahori@gmail.com)

Published in Dawn, April 2nd, 2018