The Pakistan Medical Association was established in 1948 in Dacca. The historical occasion was rendered more significant because the Quaid-e-Azam inaugurated it. It was then felt by the medical profession in East Pakistan that the Pakistan Medical Association should move to Karachi to provide opportunity for its rapid development and growth and so it was decided that its permanent headquarters should be situated in Karachi.
In Karachi the work of organizing the Association on a sound basis was immediately taken up. A detailed Con-stitution was drafted and approved. The Association was registered under the Registration of Societies Act XXI of 1960. Soon all over Pakistan, branches were establish-ed with the efficient service rendered by the office bearers; and with the enthusiastic support of the members the activities of the Association became all emb-racing. The Association was consulted by the govern-ment in all matters connected with problems of health and medical education.
EARLY PERIOD
During the early period the Medical Association had the full support and cooperation of the first Prime Minister, and one of its members was the Health Minister. The Medical Association during this period sent a medical mission to Khokropar to attend to the refugees pouring in from India from across the Sind border. A team of medical men and medical student volunteers did some magnificent work during the floods in the Punjab in
1951.
The first All-Pakistan Medical Conference was inaugurat-ed by Mr. Liaquat Au Khan at Karachi. A beginning was made by inviting medical delegates from different coun-tries of the world to attend our Biennial Conference. A tradition was laid down for international cooperation which has since grown with the passage of time.
It was during this early period that Sir Alexander Flemming, the discoverer of Penicillin, visited Pakistan as the guest of the Medical Association. The first honorary membership of the Association was conferred on him. A symposium on "The Problem of Medical Research in Pakistan" under his chairmanship was a memorable event. Sir Alexander Flemming gave a talk on "How Pakistani Children can grow to be the Research Workers of tomorrow" at Rainbow Court
Y.M.C.A. This was largely attended by doctors and students and the public. It was a memorable meeting indeed. Sir Alexander Flemming's broadcast from Radio Pakistan was relayed by radio stations all over the world and his warning about the misuse of the antibiotics was timely and prophetic.
In 1948 the Pakistan Medical Association Journal started its publication as an official organ of the Pakistan Medi-cal Association the journal has been steadily improving
The Medical Association tightly and successfully saw the end of the medical conscription. The government had to realize the value of willing cooperation from the medical profession which is always available for the im-provement of the health of the nation.
Pakistan Medical Association is the founder-member of the World Medical Association, and has always taken active and constructive part in its activities. Pakistan Medical Association is also an active member of con-federation of Medical Association of Asia and Oceania. In 1961 at the request of British Medical Association Mutual affiliation between British Medical Association and Pakistan Medical Association was achieved.
Many years ago the idea of holding a joint meeting of the British Medical Association and Pakistan Medical Association was mooted. In November 1966 a joint meeting of British and Pakistan Medical Association was held at Karachi. The Pakistan Medical Association was an active member of the Commonwealth Medical Association and took keen interest in its development and growth. The Asso-ciation has taken active part in the first and second 3rd and 4th World Conference on medical education. The World Medical Association had decided to hold the Third World Conference on medical education in Pakis-tan. However, in view of the fact that Pakistan has no diplomatic relations with Israel, the Third World Con-ference could not be held in Karachi.