King Edward Medical University: A Legacy of Medical Excellence
King Edward Medical University (KEMU), located in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan, stands as a beacon of medical education and service. Commonly abbreviated as KEMU, this public medical university has a rich history, evolving from a medical school established during British rule to a prestigious university awarding its own degrees.
From Lahore Medical School to King Edward Medical College
The story of KEMU begins in 1860 with the establishment of the Lahore Medical School. At a time when medical education in the region was limited, this institution filled a critical need. The original idea for the establishment of a medical college for the undivided Punjab was placed before the Imperial Government in 1857, but shelved because of the ‘War of Independence’. The need was so great that is was decided to make the beginning by establishing a Medical School in 1860. At that time the only other Medical School in Indo-Pakistan Sub-Continent was situated in Calcutta. In August, 1860, Dr. IB. Scriven of the General Hospital in Calcutta was invited to become the Principal of the proposed Lahore Medical School, which was to be the second such Institution in Indo Pakistan Sub-Continent. Dr. Scriven with Dr. Smith, a Civil Surgeon, conducted the first Matriculation Examination on the 1st of November, 1860 having arrived in Lahore on 10th of October, 1860.
Initially, classes were held in the Artillery Barracks at the present site of the Government College, with a hospital located in a foreign stable near the present Tibbi Police station in Taxali Gate, almost a mile away from the college. In October, 1860 the hospital had 56 patients. The only posts sanctioned by the Government in the beginning were those of the Principal , who started teaching Anatomy, Physiology; and a Professor ( Dr. T.E. Burton Brown) who commenced his lectures on Chemistry, Materia Medica and Botany Dr. Smith who had spent several years in the Punjab was put Incharge of the Hindustani Classes and was assisted by Mr. Harrison. Dr. Mohammad Hussain Khan and sub-assistant surgeon Rahim Khan. Dr. Neil , the Garrison Assistant Surgeon in Lahore was appointed as Assistant Professor to teach Anatomy.
The institution quickly gained popularity, evidenced by a steady increase in student numbers. By 1870, there were 40 students in the English Classes and 87 in the Hindustani Classes. In 1864 15 vacancies had been created for the students from the North Western Frontier Province to make up the deficiencies of the Pushto speaking doctors. One of the main difficulties of the newly created Lahore Medical School was to popularize Western medicine against superstition, quackery and indigenous healing arts in a custom ridden society. This acted as concert with a lack of foresight of a Government unwilling to loosen their money purse strings. However according to the Principal report of 1868 during the 1867 Cholera Epidemic, fresh native doctors were sent to the affected areas and by virtue of their sound training and working habits alleviated the previously severe misery faced by their fellow countrymen and generated good will and acceptance for themselves in the society.
In 1868, Trinity College Dublin recognized the Lahore Medical School, granting its students "privilege similar to the granted to students from English schools." This recognition, coupled with the establishment of Gilchrist Scholarships, opened avenues for further studies for Punjabi students. The Lieutenant Governor of the Punjab, Mr. 0 F. Mcleod in his departing report for 1869-70 expressed his pleasure at the progress of the school and felicitated Dr. Scriven and his team.
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A significant milestone was the completion of the Mayo Hospital building in 1870. It was opened in 1871 and was named after the Earl of Mayo, the then Viceroy. The Architect Purdon designed the building and Roy Bahadur Kanhaya Lal was the Engineer. The new Hospital, building was built in Italian style, double storied, bricked with Delhi stone brackets, a sloped slate roof, ventilating turrets. The new building cost RS. 1.58,951/- with a contribution of RS. 1,00,000/- from the Government of India and RS. 26,697/- from the Lahore Municipality and rest was made up by the Punjab Government. Patients from Anarkali Dispensary shifted in May, 1871 resulting in better patient care and more medico-legal cases for study by the students. Simultaneously the Civil Surgeon was relieved of the task of attending the Anarkali Dispensary except for Police cases. In October, 1871 Earl of Mayo, Viceroy of India visited the Hospital and in memory of his visit the Hospital was named as Mayo Hospital.
Until 1870, the Medical School had been granting its own diplomas to Sub-assistant Surgeons and native doctors. With the opening of the Punjab University College that year, it was. arranged so that the new College would undertake the conduct of examination and granting of University diplomas. The first such examination was held in October, 1871 by Diploma in Medicine. During the next 13 years the Punjab University College awarded diplomas to 145 successful students. It is matter of interest to note that the Medical College has a longer history than the University of the Punjab, and the relationship between the two has always been cordial and cooperative. The College was then as now independent in all affairs in teaching and administration except for conducting examinations.
The Lahore medical School was moved from the old barracks to the erstwhile Railway Hostel near the Mayo Hospital, a more spacious building. Its large stables comprising nine stall, harness rooms and a coach house were converted into a dissection room and an injection room. The move was effected in a single day, without any damage or interruption in teaching. As the production of Sub-Assistant Surgeons was expected to outstrip the demand by the Punjab Government, half the scholarships for the English class were earmarked for students from the North Western Province.
Dr. T.E. Burton Brown, the Principal in 1875, had for some time been pressing for a new school building, but the government replied with their usual answer of lack of funds to do so . This was in spite of the contribution of the School towards the welfare of the government by producing 52 Assistant Surgeons and 215 Hospital Assistants for government service. A class for training Civil Hospital Assistants to serve under the government was an important addition to the school. The Nawab of Bahawalpur instituted the Grey Scholarship worth RS. 10,000 in honour of Major Grey, a former Political Agent of Bahawalpur. A continuous supply of graduates to the Armed Forces started with 15 fresh Assistant Surgeons volunteering for military duty with the Kabul Forces in 1882. The same year, a Midwifery class for ‘dais’ was started. In 1883, this class had only two Muslims out of a total of 20 midwives; the English class had eight Muslim in a class of 61 in 1883, and 12 Muslims out of 82 in 1885. The dropout rate in 1883 was 16% in the English class and 24% in the Hindustani class. This led to the prescription of more stringent tests for admission. The first building of the Medical School was built in the same style as the Mayo Hospital. it was completed in 1883. The next year, a nursing class was also started. Women students were allowed to register for regular courses in the same class as men for the first time. J.E. Hilton Executive Engineer, Lahore designed and constructed a new dissection room in 1887. Student’s debating society was formed. Staff and students read and discussed medical and scientific papers. The Marchioness of Dufferin and Anna inaugurated the Lady Aitchison Hospital and distributed prizes, Students admitted into the Indian Medical Service, demonstrating the School’s increasing recognition.
In 1886, the institution became known as the Lahore Medical College. Till 1887, The University awarded the diploma of Licentiate in Medicine to candidates graduating through the English class for western medical science. Students studied for the title of Hakim Haziq , Umdat ul Hukama, Zubdat ul Hukama under the Unani system, in the vernacular. Under the Ayurvedic system, the titles were Vaida’ Bhishak, and Maha Bhishak. In May 1888, however, the 28 Unani and 8 Vedic system students were transferred with their teachers to the Medical School. Their numbers continued to diminish. The end of 1898 brought another migration for them, to the Islamia and DAV Colleges respectively. This left the Lahore Medical College with only students studying the western medical sciences.
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The first College Day was held in the college library on the 5th. of November, 1888. The Lieutenant Governor of the Punjab presided. The Faculty of Medicine prepared a series of Regulations for the Bachelor and Doctor of Medicine degree examinations. The First degrees were conferred in 1891, when the title of the inferior diploma was changed the Licentiate in Medicine and Surgery. Miss. H. Connor was the first woman student to pass the final examination of the Licentiate in medicine and surgery of the Punjab University, in 1889, but she had only a few more months to live. In November, lady Landsdowne laid the foundations of Lady Lyall’s Home, a new hostel for 30 women students. An outstanding student of the College was Muhammad Abdul Ghani; admitted after his BA from the Punjab University, who compiled a Botany test while a student in medical college and was recommended for the Gilchrist scholarship. That year, 1890, lady Lyall’s Home was completed. Mrs. Hammond was the first lady Superintendent. Two alumni of this institution joined the Indian Medical Service after successful completion of advanced studies in England. They were placed 3rd and 14th. on the merit list of 14 successful candidates out of 45 applicants for the Service. To cater for the increasing numbers of students, 322 in 1892, an additional Professor for the Chair of Materia Medica and Pathology was appointed by the Secretary of State for India. There were now eight professor compared to 14 in the Calcutta college. The Anatomy museum was granted RS. 1000.
On December 21, 1911, Lahore Medical College was renamed King Edward Medical College, honoring the late King and Emperor, Edward VII. 1914:Work started on the King Edward Medical College extension project. Hygiene departments. the main block. and Anatomy block were also completed. practical classrooms, work rooms, etc. Tutorial classes were started. on behalf of the Government. degree by the General Medical Council of Great Britain. postgraduate course and the B.D.S. degree were also instituted. section started to funcion. of female students in KEMC was stopped. for D.O., D.G.O., D.M.R.T., and T.D.D. was instituted. Paediatrics was also established. Dr. was awarded to Professors M.A. on the rolls, alongwith 20 postgraduate students. 173 books and a reading room. c) A wing of A.V.H. to postgraduate qualifications. D.O.M.S., D.A., D.C.P., D.M.R.T., D.M.R.D., D.G.O. and F.C.P.S. instituted . 211 candidates, 87 passed the primary F.R.C.S. of the Postgraduate Institute as well. the poor and needy. Under supervision of Prof. Sardar Ali Shiekh and later Prof.N.A. Pakistan, it lasted for 3 days. earlier. of King Edward Medical College, Lahore took place. library and fine communication network. After many years of work, Jilani Pavilion was completed. constructed over the Canteen by joint efforts of Principal and Prof. of Research were facilitated. and Basic Departments. In 1990-91, the building vacated by P.G.M.I. was initiated. Hall and the Patiala Block. for the Computer Cell of college were purchased.
Post-Independence and University Status
After Pakistan's independence, King Edward Medical College became the sole medical college in the province. Recognizing its significant role in medical education, the institution was granted university status in 2005, becoming King Edward Medical University. This empowered the university to award degrees in its own right, further solidifying its position as a leading medical institution.
Campus and Facilities
Govt. After getting university status in 2005, A new campus building was designed. The new building was completed in 2019. Another building was constructed with the help of Maqbool Ahmad, M.D., a notable Kemcolian, who donated 9 million dollars for the new structure. This is the Maqbool Ahmad Block, which currently has the departments of Biochemistry, Community Medicine, and Pharmacology. Furthermore, Maqbool Ahmad Block has the offices of the King Edward Debating Society (KEDS) and Kemcolians' Arts and Photography Society (KAPS). This block also features the Asad Aslam Auditorium and the Samina Hall, the focal venues of most university events.
The university is affiliated with seven teaching hospitals, including Mayo Hospital, Lady Willingdon Hospital, Lady Aitchison Hospital, Kot Khawaja Saeed Hospital, Nawaz Sharif Hospital, Said Mitha Hospital, and Mian Munshi Hospital. These affiliations provide students with diverse clinical experiences and opportunities to learn from a wide range of medical professionals.
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Academics and Admissions
King Edward Medical University is headed by the Vice Chancellor; this title is currently being served by Prof. Dr. Mahmood Ayaz. Admission to King Edward Medical University is awarded to the students who have the highest merit in the province of Punjab and after primary selection, the list of selected candidates is sent to Chairman Pakistan Medical Board for approval. The merit for admission is calculated from marks obtained in Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSSC) exam plus the marks obtained in the entry test plus marks obtained in Secondary School Certificate (SSC). The percentage of each of these exams contributing to the final merit is different each year. The entry test takes place in September. The graduation time period is five years. After graduation, internship (house job) is done in Mayo Hospital or any government hospital. The interns are given rotations in departments based on merit. This merit is made from marks obtained in a final professional examination and all the other professional examinations, with deductions for any failures in the exams.
The curriculum is structured into seven main faculties: basic sciences; medicine and allied specialties; surgery and allied specialties; nursing and allied health sciences; public health and preventive medicine; allied health sciences and dentistry. Within each faculty there are a number of fields that students can choose to specialise in.
Contributions to Healthcare
The psychiatry department of KEMU has been designated status of Psychotrauma Centre for the province of Punjab by Prime Ministers National Advisory Council in the aftermath of killings at Army Public School, Peshawar killings in 2014. This centre is created to conduct workshops on trauma, identify and train teams of mental health professionals and develop modules for training. The department is being headed by Aftab Asif. The chief coordinator is Dr Ali Madeeh Hashmi. A technical expert committee has been made with prominent psychiatrists and psychologists from Punjab. The centre held its first workshop for the first responders' team and trained professionals from 1122 rescue service, traffic police, and Punjab police officers in 'Psychological First Aid' on Jan 17, 2015. The next workshop was carried out on Feb 07, 2015.
Neurosurgery Department pioneers spinal cord stimulation in Pakistan. Pakistan's first Spinal Cord Stimulation surgery was done by Neurosurgery Department of King Edward Medical University / Mayo Hospital Lahore in August 2018. Medtronic Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) system was purchased via tender. The team included Professor Shahzad Shams (Chairman Neurosurgery King Edward Medical University / Mayo Hospital Lahore), Dr Muhammad Tariq (Asst Prof Neurosurgery King Edward Medical University, Lahore), Dr Ammar Anwer (Research Fellow ANFN-DBS Pakistan) and Dr Rupesh Jung Raut (R 3, Neurosurgery Department King Edward Medical University / Mayo Hospital Lahore).
Student Life and Alumni
Students at King Edward Medical University can join many different clubs and societies. Students from these societies often compete in national and international events and have won many awards. The university also has its own magazine, KEMCOL, which is managed by students.
Former students of King Edward Medical University, known as alumni, have their own associations. The King Edward Medical College Alumni Association of North America was formed in 1973 as a non-profit organisation.
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