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The last embers of the revolt of 1857 were being quenched by
the British onslaught. Nicholsons flying column was battering
that last bastion of rebellion - Delhi. The last Mughal, Bahadurshah
Zafar was negotiating terms from his hideout in the tomb of
his ancestors-Humayun. Three of his princes assured of safe
conduct as hostages to the British, were betrayed and brutally
murdered by Lt. Hodson at Delhi gate - forever besmirched in
collective memory by the ill omened name of Khooni darwaza.
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Fifty four years later, the full splendour of the British regency
in the person of Lord Hardinge, fell flat on its backside off an elephant
at nearby Chandni Chowk, thanks to a bomb thrown by the revolutionaries
Amir Chand, Basant Kumar, Avadh Bihari and Bal Mukund.It is somewhat
ironic that those who assaulted the Viceroy, for whose Vicerine Delhis
first Medical College was named after, were hanged in the same Central
jail that was to become the site for Delhis second and one of Indias
pioneering centres for medical education with a formidable reputation
as a citadel for excellence and an alumnus that has left its stamp
of eminence in virtually every corner of the world. Ironic, too, that
the main gate of this institute should open onto the Khooni darwaza.
Bahadurshahs soul must be at peace at last.
It was in 1936 that under Lt. Col. Cruickshank, I.M.S., a hospital
was set up in that very Central Jail complex, named for the bulwark
of British Viceregality - Lord Irwin. A scheme was mooted for building
a medical college across the road in the area now popularly known
as the Ramlila grounds. Unfortunately, due to the start of Second
World War in 1939 this plan was dropped. During Second World War some
barracks were rapidly constructed near Safdarjung tomb to establish
a Medical Centre for American Troops fighting in this region. This
hospital was well equipped with a x-ray machine, a laboratory and
other facilities for various emergency procedures. After the Second
World War was over the Americans handed over this place to the Government
of India. This place, where the present Safdarjung Hospital exists,
was to be taken over as an extension of Irwin Hospital. However, after
independence, the CGHS took over this place directly to be run by
Central Health Ministry.
The foundation stone of All India Institute of Medical Sciences was
initially laid in this campus near the abandoned jail area. When later
it was decided to make AIIMS an autonomous institution, the site was
shifted to its present location.
It is fascinating to review the birth and growth of this 30 acre campus,
in what was a previous jail complex, and where there are associated
memories of several historical events including the Harding bomb case.
With the attainment of independence in 1947 and the partition which
brought in its wake an influx of thousands of refugees from Pakistan,
existing medical facilities were found to be inadequate. The growing
metropolis, therefore, saw a great deal of expansion of infrastructure
facilities for the public. By early 50s Irwin Hospital had become
one of the largest hospitals of Northern India. Recognizing the need
for a Medical College in this area, the Government of India, in August
1957, recommended in its Second Five Year Plan opening of a Composite
Medical College. Irwin Hospital was obviously chosen to be the venue
for this college with provision of teaching Gynecology at Lady Harding
Medical College. This Composite Medical College was started with 50
male and 50 female students without any entrance test. The Governing
body of LHMC, then an autonomous institution of the only Medical College
for Girls in the World, filed a suit against this decision. The Court
decision also favoured LHMC. The classes of this Composite Medical
College were stopped merely two days after the start. Girls were then
shifted to LHMC and boys to AIIMS as a supplementary batch. The formal
government sanction was granted in February 1958 for starting this
Medical College attached to Irwin Hospital and named as Delhi Medical
College. Col. B. L. Taneja was appointed as the first Principal in
April 1958. The College was housed in a new three storey block designated
as the Anatomical Block (Present Bums & Plastic Surgery Ward).
Anatomy block of that time was on the ground floor. The Principal's
office and the administrative block were also on the ground floor
just near the old lift area. First and second floors were occupied
by the departments of Physiology & Biochemistry respectively.
There was a small lecture theater, a library and a laboratory on the
second floor. The male students were accommodated in the two barracks
of the Old Central Jail and women students were accommodated in the
staff quarters . In 1958, two new buildings were constructed to run
the O.P.D. and emergency services. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
was soon started with the help of Sher Singh Trust. During Second
World War a prefabricated building was commissioned as Reema Block
for trauma victims. This was the first trauma wing of this hospital.
Later this block became the children and male orthopedics ward.
The impressive façade of the paraclinical block, the immaculate
sprawling lawns in front of spacious air conditioned lecture theatres
, museums and laboratories have been built on the site where the old
jail complex once existed . Next to the Pathology Block stands the
monument dedicated to the martyrs of the old Central Jail. They were
Basant Kumar , Avadh Behari and Bal Mukand .
Delhi Medical College chose to call itself Maulana Azad Memorial Medical
College as the tidal wave of resurgent national pride washed over
the country; later the word memorial was dropped. Maulana Azad was
incidentally the first Union Minister of Education and Scientific
Research. Pt. Govind Ballabh Pant, the Union Home Minister, laid the
foundation stone of the proper Medical College Block on 24th October,
1959. Shri J.D.Shastri (Senior Architect, Ministry of Health) drew
up the architectural plan of the College Complex. The college was
inextricably woven into the fabric of the very history of the city,
incorporating a mosque said to have been established for prayer by
the camping armies of the slave kings, a pathology block that stands
cheek-by-jowl with the monument to the martyrs of the old central
jail and a mortuary next door to the dargah of the famed sufi poet
and seer, Meer Dard.
Referring to the fact that the college building was being erected
on a site previously occupied by the Central Jail -- Pandit Pant said
'It shows that a new India was taking birth and the place, which was
symbol of our people's suffering and was to become a place which would
now help to relieve it". Pandit Pant in his poetic inaugural
speech said that the "dismal wall of the jail had been demolished
to be replaced by corridors illuminated by the soft rays of light,
science and knowledge". In a reply to the students' grievance
that they were being lodged in a former jail building, Pandit Pant
quipped I did not loose much by being lodged there again and again."
Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru later inaugurated the building completed in
a record time on 26th February, 1961. Initial outlay for this building
was about Rupees one crore. The College had the unique distinction
of being recognised for Post Graduation even before the first batch
of graduates passed out from here.
It was in the vision of pioneers of the college to have a separate
super speciality hospital wing to commemorate the memory of Pt. Govind
Ballabh Pant. The foundation stone of G. B. Pant Hospital was laid
by late Pt. Jawahar La] Nehru on 31st October 1961. In his speech
Pt. Nehru casually remarked "he had laid down the foundation
stone of the most of the buildings coming up late." Thus, the
staff quarters of the old central jail gave way to a specialised institution,
with the building completed in a record time of 2 1/2 years dedicated
to the memory of the late Pandit G.B. Pant, and inaugurated on 30th
April, 1964 by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru - his last inaugural ceremony.
Today, it is a superspeciality institution, providing state of art
technology in Cardiology, Cardiothoracic surgery, Neurology, Neurosurgery,
Psychiatry, Gastroenterology and Gastrointestinal surgery. In May
1972, G.B. Pant Hospital started its own circular OPD services. In-bed
facilities have been enhanced to 500 by addition of a newly constructed
Amir Chand Critical Care Centre. Shri Sahib Singh Varma, Chief Minister
of Delhi, inaugurated this new block on 8th September, 1998.
Nineteen seventy seven saw the establishment of Guru Nanak Eye Centre,
one of north Indias largest centers dedicated to providing specialized
opthalamological services. The O.P.D. wing of Guru Nanak Eye Centre
was inaugurated in 1977 by Shri Madan Lal Khurana, the Executive Councilor,
Medical, Delhi Administration. The second phase was inaugurated on
14.3.1986 by Smt. Mohisina. Kidwai, Union Health Minister, which is
now houses the wards and the OT block. Tbird phase of GNEC was inaugurated
by Shri Sahib Singh Varma on 18.12.1996. Dr. Harsh Vardhan and cricketer
Kirti Azad attended the function.
Irwin Hospital, too, became Lok Nayak Jaiprakash Narayan Hospital,
mirroring the changing aspirations of the people. It is a reflection,
perhaps, on the present generation that has truncated this to merely
Lok Nayak Hospital. Lok Nayak Hospital christened in 1989 from Lok
Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan Hospital (LNJP) was originally popular and
still continues to be known as Irwin Hospital. Lord Irwin laid down
the foundation stone of this old hospital on 10 January 1930. Initial
hospital had 350 bed, which was big enough to cater to the small population
of Delhi during that era. In November 1977 the name of Irwin Hospital
was changed to LNJP Hospital following the Central rule of Janata
Dal.
Silver Jubilee, Annual day of MAMC was celebrated on 3rd October,
1986. His Excellency, the President of India Giani Zail Singh was
the Chief Guest. Shri Jagmohan, Lt. Governor of Delhi, presided over
the function. It was here for the first time the Head of the State
encouraged brain drain. He was of the opinion that it would boost
Indian economy. One distinctly remembers Giani Zail Singh's remarks
that 'it is much easy to become a President of India and very difficult
to become a doctor'. Incidentally, Giani Zail Singh was accompanied
by his daughter who herself is a doctor.
Since then we are gradually inching toward the Golden Jubilee celebrations
of MAMC and the corridors of the then Jail complex have seen the brilliance
of many Maulanians in the various disciplines of medical science.
Several important, respectable and brilliant students of this Jail
have scattered to almost every corner of the world. Even today They
continue to spread the fragrance of the vision of the opening remarks
of Pt. G.B. Pant.
The dappled sunlight of the past needs must give way to the harsh
glare of the present as surely as noon follows the dawn. At present,
this hospital caters annually to over 1.1 million OPD patients and
over 1 lakh patients on an indoor basis. It offers 36 full time courses
leading to postdoctoral and postgraduate qualifications in various
disciplines. Its contribution to national and international medical
literature and research caused Maulana Azad Medical College to be
ranked by the National Medical Journal of India amongst the ten best
medical institutes and its widespread alumnus has kept its banner
flying high around the globe.
Past laurels translate into greater responsibilities for the future
and its remains the endeavour of all those associated with Maulana
Azad Medical College to strive towards further heights of excellence.
The road goes forever on and on and for all of us at MAMC, there is
but one motto Per aspera ad astra .
Historical Background
No other medical college any where in the world can be as privileged
as Maulana Azad Medical College is in terms of its historical background
and the land on which it stands. For centuries freedom fighters struggled
to liberate Mother India from the foreign rule. In the process they
suffered untold hardships and many of them laid down their lives.
During the British Raj there was a big jail occupying the land where
Maulana Azad Medical College stands today . Tens of thousands of freedom
fighters were jailed in this jail at different times for wanting a
free and independent India. The rooms of the jail were small and very
dingy. In the middle of this jail complex, there were the gallows
(phansi ghar) where fourteen freedom fighters were hanged between
the period 1915 to 1945. After India achieved freedom in 1947, it
was decided by the leaders of the newly independent nation to start
a medical college on this sacred land which had been soaked in the
blood of the freedom fighters and patriots --- the men who were fired
with the intense wish for India to be independent . The foundation
stone of this uniquely located Maulana Azad Medical College, named
after a great freedom fighter and the first Minister of Education
and Scientific Research of free India, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad , was
laid by Pandit Gobind Ballabh Pant who was himself a great freedom
fighter and the first Home Minister of Free India on 24th October
1959 . The building of the college was ready in a record time of a
year and six months. Maulana Azad Medical College was very proudly
dedicated to the nation by Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru -- the first Prime
Minister of Independent India on 26th of February 1961.
A part of the wall of the jail and also an arch at one of the entrances
to the jail have been preserved to remind us of our heritage. Within
the campus of Maulana Azad Medical College stands a very serene memorial
to the memory of the gallant men who were hanged at that very site
during the freedom struggle. And the history related to each patriot
hanged here will make our head bow down in respect for the supreme
sacrifice each one of them made. It was the decision of the founding
fathers that the land used by the British to heap untold misery and
hardships on the freedom fighters and where 14 of the patriots were
hanged, should be used to provide comfort and best possible healthcare
to the needy citizens of the nation. The dismal walls of the jail
had been demolished to be replaced by corridors illuminated by soft
rays of light, science and knowledge according to the wisdom of the
founding fathers who wanted this land to produce world class doctors
for the nation and these doctors will set the standards of healthcare
and medical education and will be the leaders in medical research
in India.
And the very land which was the site of the prison which tortured
freedom fighters in their tens of thousands and which is soaked with
the blood of the patriots, we are proud to say , is now the site of
a world class medical college . Maulana Azad Medical College is fulfilling
its mandate set by the great founding fathers and is producing physicians
of world class standards , setting the standards of medical education
in India and is a leader in medical research in the country .
Institutional Profile
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Maulana Azad
Medical College and Associated Hospitals complex consists of
six integral units, namely, Maulana Azad Medical College, Lok
Nayak Hospital, Gobind Ballabh Pant Hospital, Guru Nanak Eye
Centre, Dental Wing and Sushrut Trauma Centre.
The first unit to start functioning in
the year 1931 was Lok Nayak Hospital (formerly known as Irwin
Hospital and later named as Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narain Hospital).
This is a 1500 bed general hospital, functioning as teaching
hospital for Maulana Azad Medical College and drawing patients
from a very large catchment area. |
Besides the 12 million people of Delhi, the catchment area of Lok
Nayak Hospital consists of neighbouring states of Punjab, Haryana,
Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan and other states. The
hospital is equipped with the latest state of the art equipment for
comprehensive investigation and treatment of patients . Lok Nayak
Hospital functions as a tertiary referal centre and receives a large
number of very complicated cases who are well advanced in the disease
process. The doctors , nurses and other staff manning the hospital
are experienced professionals dedicated to their job. The hospital
admits nearly 65,000 patients annually. About 12 lakh patients are
seen in the various out-patient departments of the hospital each year.
About 12,000 major and 22,000 minor operations are performed in the
hospital every year .
Maulana Azad Medical College (MAMC) was started in the year 1958.
As stated above in the Historical Background , Maulana Azad Medical
College building was dedicated to the nation by the first Prime Minister
of India Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru on 26th February 1961. From April
1958 to February 1961 Maulana Azad Medical College administration
and teaching was done at what is now the Paediatrics Complex within
Lok Nayak Hospital. MAMC admits 180 students each year for the five
year MBBS course. Since the college was started, Maulana Azad Medical
College has successfully produced 5932 MBBS doctors and 2823 post-graduate
qualified doctors. Maulana Azad Medical College is very sought after
institution for MBBS and Post-graduate courses and for Dentistry Courses.
MAMC is producing world class graduates and post-graduates where standards
of education and the quality of doctors produced can be compared to
similarly placed institutions in London or New York .
Gobind Ballabh Pant Hospital (GBPH)
The need for a superspecialty hospital was felt soon after India gained
independence. It was decided to start a superspecialty hospital within
the Maulana Azad Medical College complex in memory of the great freedom
fighter and first Home Minister of Independent India Pandit Gobind
Ballabh Pant. The foundation stone of this superspecialty hospital
was laid by Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru on 31st October 1961. The hospital
was ready in a record time of two and a half years . Gobind Ballabh
Pant Hospital was added to the MAMC Complex on 30th April 1964 as
a Superspecialty Hospital. Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru dedicated this
new and state of the art Gobind Ballabh Pant Hospital to the nation
on 30th April 1964 . GBPH caters to the superspecialties of cardiology
, cardio-thoracic surgery , neurology , neurosurgery, psychiatry,
gastro-enterology and GI surgery. State of the Art facilities exist
at GBPH to cater to the requirements of patient care in these areas
. A fully equipped Transplant Unit is in the process of being set
up at GBPH. A very experienced team of experts is there in each super-specialty
to provide the service which is equal to the best anywhere in the
world.
Dental Wing was started at MAMC Complex in 1983. The Dental
Wing has successfully produced 184 dental doctors (through four year
BDS Course). The growing population and new innovations in the management
of dental problems required the setting up of a specialised service.
This demand of the City of Delhi was met when the new Dental Wing
was started. The Dental Wing is managed by a very experienced team
of experts. Foundation stone of the new building for the Dental Wing
was laid in May 2000 and the construction of the building is now in
full swing.
Guru Nanak Eye Centre (GNEC) was started on 20th December 1977.
A separate out patients department was commissioned in 1977 and the
facilities to admit indoor patients were added in 1986. To have a
separate eye hospital was a long felt need of the City of Delhi and
this requirement was met when the complete hospital started functioning
in 1986. GNEC is well equipped to provide state of the art services
for eye diseases and is manned by a very experiened and dedicated
team of experts. The services provided at GNEC include laser treatment,
corneal transplant and the latest technology for cataract surgery
besides a whole lot of very complex problems of the eye that are managed
very competently.
Sushrut Trauma Centre was started in 1999. The centre caters
to the needs of trauma cases. The centre is manned by a very active
and dedicated team of doctors and functions under the supervision
of senior surgeons and physicians of Lok Nayak Hospital. This centre
is in biggest trauma management facility in the City of Delhi.
Aims and Functions of MAMC and Associated Hospitals Complex Maulana
Azad Medical College and associated insitutions complex have the following
aims and functions :
- To provide for and produce well educated , well
trained and competent graduate doctors , postgraduate doctors
( specialists ) and superspecialists .
- To attain self sufficiency in postgraduate medical
education in all areas of medical sciences in India.
- ( a ) . To provide best possible patient-care
by providing efficient and expert medical services for the patients
and make a contribution towards National Health Care Delivery.
( b) . To provide highest level of advice and management
for patients referred from other medical institutions (tertiary
referral) in Delhi and from medical institutions in other states
of India.
- To conduct research in basic and applied aspects
of health sciences and to support and encourage research publications
.
- To hold examinations and confer degrees, diplomas
and other academic qualifications and distinctions and titles
in undergraduate and postgraduate medical education in conjunction
with University of Delhi.
- MAMC and Associated Hospitals complex will have
posts of lecturers, readers, assistant and associate professors,
and professors. It will have further teaching appointments and
designations in consultation with The Ministry of Health and Family
Welfare.
- (a) . To educate, teach and train medical
teachers in the latest techniques of medical teaching from and
for all medical colleges in India and from other similar medical
institutions in the country by devising and organising regular
courses and workshops in Medical Education Science Technology.
(b). To conduct research in medical teaching technology
to develop the best and most efficient patterns of medical teaching
at undergraduate and postgraduate levels in all specialities of
medical sciences .
(c). To develop MAMC as a centre where educational facilities
of the highest standards are available at one place for teaching
and training of medical personnel of all specialties of health
sciences.
(d). To pay special attention to and educate residents
in the art and science of medical teaching as future medical teachers.
(e). To train teachers, both present and future, for all
medical colleges in India.
- (a) . To prescribe curriculum and courses
for undergraduate and postgraduate studies and to provide assistance
to Medical Council of India to maintain and update such courses
and curricula as new developments take place in different areas
of medical sciences.
(b) . To include human relations and teaching of other
aspects of humanities in undergraduate curriculum. 8 (c) . To
include field training of medical , dental and nursing students
of MAMC Complex in villages so as to give the students a first
hand understanding of Community Health Problems .
- To upgrade the knowledge and skills of faculty,
resident doctors, and para-medical staff by organising conferences,
seminars, symposia, workshops etc at national and international
level.
- To develop national programs of continuing medical
education (CME) in all fields to provide leadership and to bring
about uniformity of medical education and patient care within
the country.
- To establish and develop laboratories of excellence
and other investigative facilities for purposes of teaching ,
patient-care and research.
- To set up state of the art facilities as follows
: a Dental College , an Orthpaedics Institute, an Institute of
Neurosciences, a Transplant Centre, Department of Genetics Studies
and an Institute for Immnumological Studies; to develop further
specialities as new discoveries and developments take place in
the field of medical sciences.
- To have a nursing college suitably staffed and
equipped to train nurses to look after patients in all spheres
of medical care.
- To extend support to to the government for all
health-care programs (including preventive measures and various
disease eradication programs); to extend healthcare facilities
to the rural population through primary health centres .
- . To receive grants from the government and gifts
, donations , benefactions , bequests and transfers of properties
both movable and immovable , from donors , benefactors , testators
or transferors as the case may be in furtherence of Aims and Functions
of MAMC Complex.
- To deal with any property belonging to or vested-in
MAMC Complex in any manner considered necessary for promoting
the AIMS and FUNCTIONS of MAMC Complex as innumerated above.
- To demand and receive such fees and other charges
as may be required from time to time in consultation with the
relevant authorities.
- To do all such other acts and things as may be
necessary to further the Aims and Functions of MAMC Complex.
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COURSES AVAILABLE AT MAMC COMPLEX
The following courses are
available at the MAMC and associated hospitals complex :
MBBS Degree Course
180 students are admitted every year for the five year MBBS
course .
BDS Degree Course
20 students are admitted every year for the four year |
Bachelor of Dental Surgery ( BDS ) course .
Postgraduate Diploma Courses Diploma courses are available in the
following specialities :
Anaesthesia , Obstetrics and Gynaecology , Child Health , Medical
Radio-diagnosis and Venereology and Dermatology
Postgraduate Degree Courses ( MS / MD )
Postgraduate Degree Courses ( MS / MD ) are available in the following
disciplines of medical sciences :
Medicine, Anaesthesia, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Paediatrics, Pathology,
Radio-diagnosis, Physiology , Dermatology , Radiotherapy, Biochemistry,
Microbiology, Pharmacology, Preventive and Social Medicine, Forensic
Medicine, Psychiatry, Anatomy, General Surgery, Orthopaedics, Ophthalmology,
and Otorhinolaryngology .
Super-specialty Courses ( DM and MCh. )
Super-specialty courses are available in the following subjects :
DM : Neurology, Cardiology and Gastroenterology .
M Ch : Paediatric Surgery, Plastic Surgery, Neurosurgery, Cardiothoracic
Surgery and Surgical Gastroenterology.
FIRST IN INDIA FROM MAMC COMPLEX
- Ear Drum Transplant
- Transpulmonary Correction of Tetrology of Fallot
- Right gastroepiploic artery as a conduit in coronary
artey bypass surgery
- Maze III procedure for co-arctation of aorta
- First baloon Mitral Valvotomy
- First baloon angioplasty for co-arctation of
aorta
- First Renal Angioplasty
- First Closure of Patent Ductus Arteriosus and
Atrial Septal Defect
- Combined modality treatment in muscle infilterating
bladder tumour
- Feasibility study of role of PAP smear in preparation
and early detection of Cancer of the Cervix
- Typing of MSRA
- Pulse Polio Program
- Motiabind Unmoolan Abhiyan
- Shravan Shakti Abhiyan
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine Department
in a Medical College
- MD Course in Radio-therapy
- Centre of Excellence in Non-scalpel Vasectomy
- First Non-scalpel Vasectomy
- First Laser Micro-neurosurgical Procedures
- First CUSA assisted neurosurgical operation
- First successful MVD for trigeminal neuralgia
- First successful trans-oral odontoidectomy for
CV junction anomaly
- Delayed surgical decompression in partial spinal
cord injury
Extra-cavitory anterior decompression in thoraco-lumbar diseases
Longest duration and longest running Continuing Medical Education
( CME ) program in Surgery for postgraduates. The program runs
with the name Surgery Update.
FIRST IN DELHI
- Theratron 780 telecobalt
- HIV Testing and Surveillance Centre
- Serology of Dengue Fever
- Radiofrequency lesioning of trigeminal neuralgia
- Multi-level colpectomy for cervical spondylosis
(First in India automatically means first in Delhi as well) |
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