Highland Physician Leader Reflects on Commitment to Community

Bilal Ahmed, M.D., was a young boy living in Pakistan when he was first influenced by his parents’ commitment to helping the underserved in their community. “My parents drove home the point that we are here to serve others,” he said. “They strongly believed that we should care for the people around us and that whatever you give comes back to you. They truly embraced the philosophy of caring for your fellow human kind.” Their example inspired Dr. Ahmed and his brother to create and support human service programs nationally and internationally.

Dr. Ahmed has been involved in medical outreach for underserved patients in Rochester at St. Joseph’s Neighborhood Center and had started providing care to the area’s homeless by starting the ‘Street Rounds’ initiative with the University of Rochester Medical School students.

Following the January 2010 earthquake in Haiti and the July 2010 Pakistan flood, Dr. Ahmed joined with other local physicians to donate funds to purchase water purifiers and pre-equipped MASH tents and shipped them to areas affected by these natural disasters.

When his father passed away 12 years ago Dr. Ahmed and his family extended their efforts in his honor. They founded The Orphan Child orphanage for girls ages 2 to 20 in the Punjab region of Pakistan, organizing the program of care and investing their own funds to care for orphans and children affected by violence or domestic abuse. The orphanage presently provides safe housing for girls. Parenting is provided by volunteer house mothers. Public education, job training and skill sets are taught with a view to make the resident girls economically independent. “We wanted to do something to empower women because misogyny is so prevalent in third world countries,” he said.

The orphanage is in a 15,000 square foot house with 13 acres. It is self-sufficient in growing its own food staples. Crops like corn, wheat and other vegetables are grown for the residents. More than 200 girls live there and can stay until they graduate and have a profession or get married in a wedding paid for by the Center. Currently two of the residents have gone on to medical school, one in nursing school and one in the Air Force. The family has also created a School for Girls up to fifth grade in memory of Dr. Ahmed’s niece who died at a young age.

Malnutrition-stunted growth is a serious problem as identified by the World Health Organization, so the Ahmed family established a farm that helps produce fresh milk for 2,000 families. They also recognized that a free clinic was needed. “If the family provider misses even one day of work, the family could go hungry,” he said. “Most of the local population works on subsistence daily wages. Missing even a few days of work can be catastrophic to the whole family.” The free clinic is staffed by one physician, one physician assistant, one obstetrician and one nurse. They see 100 patients a day for six days a week and there are telemedicine capabilities to consult with specialists. Free medication is supplied to more than 100 deserving patients with diabetes and epilepsy on an ongoing basis and others receive a three to five day supply of needed medication free of charge. The clinic has seen more than 600,000 patients since its inception. All lab testing is free as well. An Obstetrician provides pre-natal care and management to pregnant mothers.

Periodic Intra-Ocular lens transplants for Cataract procedures are done throughout the year. A government run vaccination family planning clinic is also located on site. This was established as the poorest couples have the highest fertility, the lowest contraceptive use, and the highest unmet need for contraception. Maternal and child mortality is the highest in this setting.

“Dr. Ahmed is a humanitarian whose generosity and leadership have enhanced the lives of the underserved in this community, earthquake-ravaged Haiti and his home country of Pakistan,” said Joseph Nicholas, M.D., longtime friend and colleague of Dr. Bilal Ahmed, who suggested we share this information about the work of the humble physician.  “He humbly admits how much these endeavors add to his own sense of purpose, he truly does this for all the right reasons.  He is leaving a tremendous legacy here and around the world.”

To learn more about the orphanage visit website. https://www.sahihealthtrustdaska.com/

(This story was requested to be written and put in the Highland Physician newsletter by Dr. Joseph Nicholas).

 

10/19/2023