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Heroes:
Dr Manzoor Ahmed Butt, Rawalpindi Pakistan.
It is no coincidence that the second of our heroes also comes from
Rawalpindi Pakistan. Indeed our hero for this issue nominated our
previously featured hero, as part of his campaign to encourage and care
for his fellow citizens in Pakistan, and citizens of the world.
Dr Butt is one of the great characters of our time, and I am privileged
to call him friend.
His role as family doctor, particularly to the poor and
under-privileged, extends to social reform, evaluation of
infrastructure and services, support of individuals also doing their
best, emergency services and reminding the rest of us that not everyone
has access to the support and services many of us are used to.
Doctor Butt’s particular interests include women’s
health, and he personally trains women’s health workers;
earthquake survivors; water quality; public health campaigns, at his
own expense; projects for WHO and UNESCO; and when required paying for
medicine and food for his patients. His clinic is in one of the poorer
areas of Rawalpindi.
Indeed I recall corresponding with Dr Butt several years ago when he
was concerned that his ‘social reform’ activities
were perhaps taking his focus away from his family and patients. I
replied that there are people who look at the small picture (their
immediate concerns) but fortunately there are also people who extend
their energies look at the big picture – those issues
affecting the wider community, underprivileged sectors of that
community and indeed the world as a whole – and Dr Butt is
very much a big picture person – with a big heart.
The rest of his story can be gleaned from the photos below.
Lesley Pocock - Editor
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