By Ramesh Raja

On 1st March 2026, Dr. Rahim Bux Bhatti celebrates eighty luminous years of a life devoted not to personal comfort but to public service. Born on 1 March 1946 in Village Ghulam Muhammad Bhatti on Pipri Road near Gambat, to Arbab Ali Bhatti, he rose from humble beginnings to become one of Pakistan’s most respected leaders in public-sector medicine.

From my own village, Sant Nagar, barely a kilometer away, his journey has always felt close to the heart. My late father, Anjahani Kaloo Mal, often spoke of a young doctor working with limited resources but unlimited resolve; a young man who would eventually build an institution that changed the destiny of Gambat.

Early Life, Education, and Discipline

Dr. Bhatti received his primary and secondary education in Gambat. With steadfast dedication and academic brilliance, he entered Liaquat Medical College, University of Sindh, completing his medical degree in the late 1960s.

In 1971, immediately after his house job, he joined the Pakistan Army as a Medical Officer and rose to the rank of Captain. Those formative years of military service shaped his discipline, administrative acumen and resilience.

By 1974, he had joined the Sindh Health Department, beginning service at a modest dispensary in Gambat. That small beginning would one day evolve into a national landmark of healthcare excellence.

The Birth and Rise of GIMS

The most defining chapter of Dr. Bhatti’s life is the creation and transformation of the Gambat Institute of Medical Sciences (GIMS). What began as a humble facility in a small town grew, under his visionary leadership, into one of Pakistan’s most advanced public-sector tertiary care institutions.

Brick by brick, step by step, GIMS expanded to offer highly complex procedures once thought possible only in major metropolitan or international hospitals. Today, it houses a Liver Transplant Program with over 1,300 successful transplants, a Kidney Transplant Unit performing thousands of procedures, Bone Marrow Transplant Services with more than 200 critical cases, Corneal Transplants restoring sight to hundreds, and even Lung Transplant capabilities; placing it among the rare centers in Pakistan to offer such advanced care.

Modern ICUs, specialized transplant theaters, Cardiology, Orthopedics, Oncology and Nuclear Medicine departments, as well as state-of-the-art diagnostic facilities including MRI, CT Scan and Cath Lab services, have strengthened its foundation. The attached medical college continues to shape the next generation of healthcare professionals through MBBS and allied health programs. Patients now travel from Sindh, Punjab, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and even Afghanistan; many receiving treatment entirely free under the public model.

In stature and spirit, GIMS stands alongside pioneering institutions such as the Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation and the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, forming a powerful backbone of Sindh’s free tertiary healthcare revolution.

Pharmaceutical and Educational Expansion

Among Dr. Bhatti’s most forward-looking initiatives is the establishment of Pakistan’s first public-sector pharmaceutical production facility within GIMS, producing quality medicines at affordable costs. This bold step reflects his deep conviction that healthcare must not only be advanced but accessible and sustainable.

Under his guidance, GIMS has expanded far beyond surgery into a comprehensive academic and training institution, offering postgraduate programs such as FCPS and MCPS, structured Nursing and Allied Health education, and fostering a culture of research. Facilities such as hostels and guest houses provide dignity and comfort to families who travel from distant regions.

Dr. Bhatti’s vision has always been institutional rather than personal; he builds systems to endure beyond any individual, turning Gambat into a “Health City” where treatment, education, research and pharmaceutical support function in one integrated ecosystem.

A Gentle and Hopeful Reflection

Every great institution grows through triumphs and challenges. As GIMS continues its remarkable journey, there remains the opportunity to make it even more welcoming and accessible to the underprivileged, especially local patients who may sometimes feel distant from its advanced systems. This is not a critique of Dr. Bhatti’s vision but a hopeful nudge toward the next stage of evolution. The foundation has been laid with courage, foresight, and dedication; now, it is time for its next chapter of growth.

Captain (Retired) Dr. Rahim Bux Bhatti is disciplined, strong-willed, visionary, and tireless. Not a man of speeches, he is a man of execution. His style is direct, sometimes strict, but always focused on outcomes. It is this steadfast character that has transformed a modest dispensary into a beacon of hope and life-saving medicine.

Gambat’s Pride, Sindh’s Symbol

City of Gambat is a land of educated and cultured families; Shaikhs, Memons, Hindus and many others who have always valued knowledge, service, and excellence. Yet, in the modern history of our town, the strongest identity has become GIMS; an institution shaped not by committees or temporary enthusiasm, but by the relentless persistence and singular vision of Dr. Rahim Bux Bhatti.

From a small dispensary in 1974 to a multi-organ transplant center in 2026, this journey reflects what one determined individual can achieve when purpose outweighs limitation.

At the age of eighty, Dr. Bhatti’s legacy is not confined to buildings, awards or titles. It lives in thousands of transplant recipients, in families saved from financial ruin, in young doctors trained under his disciplined system and in the transformation of a rural town into a national medical landmark.

He did not leave Sindh to seek greatness; he chose to stay and in staying, he brought greatness to Gambat. On his 80th birthday, we pray for his continued health, strength and wisdom. May GIMS evolve into a true sanctuary where the poorest are first in dignity and where hope, planted by one extraordinary man, blossoms for generations to come.

Read: GIMS: Public Healthcare Revolution in Sindh

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The author of this article, Engr. Ramesh Raja, is a Civil Engineer, visionary planner, PMP certified and literary enthusiast with a passion for art and recreation. He can be reached at engineer.raja@gmail.com  

The post From Small Dispensary to Great Destiny first appeared on Sindh Courier.

• Patients treated at GIMS come from: 47% Sindh, 34% Punjab, 15% Balochistan, 4% Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and others from Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Kashmir, Islamabad, and Afghanistan

By Ramesh Raja

In the quiet town of Gambat, on Station Road in District Khairpur Mirs, stands an institution that has fundamentally altered the medical landscape of Pakistan. The Pir Abdul Qadir Shah Jeelani Institute of Medical Sciences, known nationwide simply as GIMS, is not just another public hospital. It is a declaration that world-class medicine can exist in rural Sindh, and that advanced organ transplantation does not have to be a privilege reserved for the wealthy.

GIMS is a public-sector teaching hospital affiliated with the Government of Sindh. Its mission is ambitious and unequivocal: provide high-quality healthcare free of cost, train the next generation of medical professionals, and advance research while serving the broader community. What began as a modest facility has evolved into one of Pakistan’s most advanced tertiary-care institutions, and the country’s first public center offering five major organ transplants free of cost.

The Architect of the Transformation

At the center of this transformation stands Dr. Rahim Bux Bhatti, a physician whose career spans more than five decades.

Born on March 1, 1946, in Gambat, Dr. Bhatti received his early education locally before earning his medical degree from Liaquat Medical College, University of Sindh. In 1971, he joined the Pakistan Army as a Captain (Medical Officer), serving for three years before transitioning to the Sindh Health Department in 1974. His posting to a dispensary in Gambat marked the beginning of a journey that would ultimately redefine healthcare in the region.

Rather than seeking opportunities abroad or in major urban centers, Dr. Bhatti invested his energy in his hometown. Through persistent administrative effort, institutional planning, and expansion of services, he converted a small public health facility into a transplant powerhouse. In recognition of his services, he received Pakistan’s Pride of Performance award.

Supporters regard him as a humanitarian visionary. Critics emphasize the need for institutional systems beyond individual leadership. Both views underscore the undeniable reality: GIMS bears the imprint of his determination.

Comprehensive Medical Services Under One Roof

Today, GIMS offers a full spectrum of tertiary-care services:

• General Medicine and Surgery
• Advanced Cardiac Care and Cardiac Surgery (established 2012)
• Orthopedic Department (established 2015)
• Neurosurgery
• Intensive Care Units and Neonatal Care
• Emergency and Trauma Services
• Diagnostic Imaging (CT scan, MRI, angiography)
• Advanced laboratory and pathology services
• Interventional Radiology
• Nuclear Medicine Cancer Care and Research Center (launched 2022)
• Rapid Response and expanded ICU units (2019–2021)

The institution operates modern operating theaters, dedicated transplant ICUs, specialized wards, and structured emergency services. Patients from across Pakistan travel to Gambat for treatment that would otherwise cost millions of rupees in private or overseas facilities.

Pakistan’s First Five-Organ Free Transplant Center

GIMS achieved national distinction by becoming Pakistan’s first public-sector institution to provide free transplants of five major organs.

• Liver Transplant Unit (Established 2016)

Over 1,300 liver transplants have reportedly been performed free of cost, with success rates comparable to international benchmarks. Plans are underway to increase annual capacity to 450 procedures through the proposed Gambat Liver Tower.

• Kidney Transplant Program

Thousands of patients have received life-saving kidney transplants, positioning GIMS among the leading public institutions in renal care.

• Bone Marrow Transplant

More than 100–200 bone marrow transplants have been completed, offering hope to patients suffering from thalassemia and hematological cancers.

• Cornea Transplants

Vision has been restored to hundreds who once faced permanent blindness.

• Lung Transplant Unit

GIMS established Pakistan’s first dedicated public-sector lung transplant center, marking a historic advancement in the country’s transplant medicine.

Patients treated at GIMS come from:

• 47% Sindh
• 34% Punjab
• 15% Balochistan
• 4% Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
• Others from Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Kashmir, Islamabad, and Afghanistan

This nationwide reach places GIMS alongside institutions such as the Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation and the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, which pioneered free large-scale healthcare in Sindh.

Medical Education and Institutional Expansion

Beyond clinical services, GIMS functions as a teaching institution offering:

• MBBS Program
• BS Nursing
• BS Medical Technology
• Human Nutrition and Dietetics
• FCPS and MCPS training
• House jobs and residency programs

Its campus includes digital libraries, student laboratories, lecture halls, and expansion plans featuring a 1,000-seat auditorium, postgraduate center, stem cell therapy unit, and a 200-room guest house to accommodate attendants free of cost.

The broader vision is even more ambitious: a 1,000-acre Gambat Health City, potentially including biomedical engineering programs and a public-sector pharmaceutical manufacturing unit.

Pharmaceutical Industry: Sindh’s Pride, Pakistan’s Leap Forward

GIMS has made history by establishing Pakistan’s first public-sector pharmaceutical industry in Gambat. More than just a facility, this initiative represents a bold stride toward “health freedom” for the nation’s citizens.

• Affordable Medicines, Accessible Care: Life-saving medicines will no longer be priced beyond the reach of low-income patients. GIMS is ensuring that quality treatment is a right, not a privilege.
• National Self-Reliance: By producing essential medicines domestically, Pakistan reduces dependence on foreign pharmaceutical suppliers, strengthening healthcare sovereignty.
• Innovation and Research: Beyond manufacturing, the facility will conduct cutting-edge research on emerging diseases, fostering scientific advancement and public health preparedness.
• Realizing a Vision: This milestone is a testament to Dr. Rahim Bux Bhatti’s vision, the man who transformed Gambat into a landmark of medical excellence on the global map.

Unlike private pharmaceutical companies driven primarily by profit, GIMS’ pharmaceutical initiative sets a new benchmark: medicine as a service to humanity. Soon, life-saving drugs produced here will reach hospitals across Pakistan, elevating patient care and redefining the standards of public healthcare.

Naming and Public Perception

The institution’s official name honors Pir Abdul Qadir Shah Jeelani, following a Sindh Assembly resolution moved by Pir Fazal Shah Jeelani after his father’s passing. Historically, the Jeelani family has held significant spiritual and political influence in Gambat and surrounding areas.

However, public sentiment continues to identify the institution primarily as GIMS. For many citizens, its identity is rooted in medical achievement rather than political naming.

Challenges, Criticism, and Accountability

No institution of this magnitude operates without scrutiny. GIMS has faced:

• Allegations regarding emergency preparedness after a reported late-night fatality
• Complaints concerning transplant screening transparency
• Petitions alleging recruitment irregularities and nepotism

While no final judicial ruling has conclusively established wrongdoing, governance experts emphasize that public institutions must maintain strict transparency, independent audits, and merit-based recruitment systems to sustain credibility.

There are also concerns regarding accessibility. Although treatment is officially free, some observers argue that structured preference mechanisms should ensure the poorest patients receive priority. Equitable access must not only exist; it must be visibly structured and transparent.

Sustainability and the Future

GIMS operates largely through Sindh Government funding. As transplant medicine remains resource-intensive, sustainability will be a defining challenge. Key questions include:

• Long-term funding security
• Annual transplant budgets and per-patient cost transparency
• Institutional succession planning
• Strengthening governance systems beyond personality-based leadership

The future of GIMS depends on converting a visionary-led model into a fully institutionalized, accountable framework.

Conclusion: A Defining Chapter in Sindh’s Medical History

GIMS is neither a flawless miracle nor a failed experiment. It is a bold public-sector success story still in evolution.

It demonstrates that advanced transplant medicine can exist in rural Pakistan. It has saved thousands from death or financial devastation. It has trained medical professionals and inspired public confidence in what government healthcare can achieve.

At the same time, it stands at a crucial crossroads where transparency, accessibility, and governance must mature alongside expansion.

If strengthened institutionally, GIMS can become a global model of equitable transplant medicine. If complacency replaces reform, its reputation could face avoidable strain.

The story of GIMS is ultimately a story of possibility, proof that determination, public funding, and structured vision can transform healthcare in Pakistan. The responsibility now lies not only with leadership, but with policymakers, professionals, and civil society to ensure that this beacon of hope burns brighter, fairer, and stronger in the decades ahead.

Read: Tractor Trolleys Trash Rural Road Safety

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The author of this article, Engr. Ramesh Raja, is a Civil Engineer, visionary planner, PMP certified and literary enthusiast with a passion for art and recreation. He can be reached at engineer.raja@gmail.com  

The post GIMS: Public Healthcare Revolution in Sindh first appeared on Sindh Courier.

By Rehan Khan Khushik

Jamshoro, Sindh

Dr. Rahim Bux Bhatti, founder of Gambat Institute of Medical Sciences (GIMS), Gambat Khairpur Mirs, shared his views on “Challenges of Health Delivery in Rural Sindh” at a program organized at the Institute of Health Management & Research Sciences, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences Jamshoro on Saturday.

He was invited by the Institute of Health Management & Research Sciences, as guest speaker to share best practices and invaluable experience and knowledge in its Guest Lecture Series.

These lectures provide students with an opportunity to learn from industry professionals, gain insights into the latest trends and developments in business, and network with other professionals in the field.

The session was attended by students, faculty members, and staff of the Executive MBA (Health Management) Program.

Dr. Bhatti delivered a knowledgeable and informative lecture, sharing his insights on the unique challenges faced by healthcare professionals in rural areas of Sindh. Dr. Bhatti also apprised the participants about the timeline of development and major milestones achieved by Gambat Institute of Medical Sciences.

The event was interactive and included a question-answer session where students were able to engage in dialogue with the guest speaker and clarify their doubts on the topic.

In recognition of Dr. Bhatti’s contributions, the Vice Chancellor, LUMHS Dr. Ikram Din Ujjan, presented him with a shield as a token of appreciation, for his selfless services to the ailing community.

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From Our Correspondent

KHAIRPUR, Sindh

An American citizen Ms. Julie, working at U.S. Consulate in Karachi got her Successful Lap Chole of gallbladder from Gambat Institute of Medical Sciences (GIMS) in Khairpur district of Sindh province of Pakistan.

Dr. Abdul Wahab Dogar, Liver and Kidney Transplant Surgeon of GIMS and his team during investigation had detected stone in her gallbladder. The team of the GIMS hospital successfully had her Lap Cloe of gallbladder.

Watch Video: U.S. Citizen Julie Speaks 

Ms. Julie while talking to media said that she searched hospitals of Pakistan and found GIMS hospital Khairpur a best Medical institution and then she contacted the Director GIMS.

Julie said that she had a serious issue of gallbladder. “In USA it takes 4 months, but GIMS hospital Khairpur performed Lap Chole in 2 days,” she said expressing her satisfaction and hailed Dr. Bhatti and his team.

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From Our Correspondent

Sukkur/Sakrand

Pakistan’s largest snake and dog bite vaccine laboratory, established at a huge cost by Sindh government at Sakrand in 2016 has almost become non-functional due to certain administrative and financial issues.

Dr. Naeem-ul-Haq Qureshi, Scientist and Laboratory Consultant has also regretted to continue the work and sent a letter in this regard to the Secretary of Sindh Health Department.

The PPP government had established the laboratory which is claimed to be Pakistan’s first and Asia’s second largest Anti-Snake Venom/Anti Rabies Serology Laboratory at Sakrand in District Shaheed Benazirabad to develop snake and dog bite vaccine to cure dog and snake bite patients. The laboratory was first put under the administrative control of the Peoples University of Medical Health Sciences for Women, Nawabshah and later handed over to Gambat Institute of Medical Sciences (GIMS) through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in October 2021 for two years, however the newly established lab started facing the issues since transfer of its administrative control to the GIMS.

It was expected that the laboratory would become functional and develop and produce the vaccine in bulk to meet the needs of the province. Dr. Naeem-ul-Haq Qureshi is said to have developed the anti-rabies vaccine and its trial was approved by World Health Organization (WHO) the authorities failed to get it registered with Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan.

Further, Dr. Naeem-ul-Haq Qureshi and 22 other employees have not been paid salary since the GIMS assumed the administrative control of the lab despite the fact that Sindh government has released the funds but are lying unutilized for want of authentication of Dr. Rahim Bukhsh Bhatti, the head of GIMS.

Dr. Naeem-ul-Haq Qureshi, in his 2-page letter sent to the Health Secretary Sindh in the month of April last, has elaborated the situation.

Sources said that after the approval of vaccine by the WHO, the then Sindh Chief Secretary, Syed Mumtaz Ali Shah, had directed the concerned officials to get immediate registration of the Anti -Snake Venom (ASV) vaccine being produced at Sindh Anti Snake Venom and Anti Rabies Serology Laboratory, Sakrand with the Drug Regulatory Authority Pakistan, but so far no such step has been taken. As a result, the lab has stopped producing the vaccine. “The bulk production of the vaccine was stopped due to non-registration by the Pakistan Drug Regulatory Authority, shortage of technical staff, funds and incomplete documentation,” Dr. Naeem had had informed the Chief Secretary.

According to him, if funds are provided timely the laboratory can start bulk production of the ASV within a year to meet the requirements of the province. Dr. Qureshi claims that the ASV produced by his laboratory would be more efficacious and cost effective compared to that vaccines produced in other countries.

1. Rahim Bakhsh Bhatti, Director GIMS while talking to this scribe said that he, accompanied by Director General Health visited the Anti-Snake Venom/Anti Rabies Serology Laboratory Sakrand on Friday.

“The GIMS took over the Lab in Feb. 2022 and a management committee has been setup to run the Lab,” he told and added that his first priority is to get Anti-Snake Venom/Anti Rabies Serology Laboratory registered with Pakistan Drug Regulatory Authority.

Dr. Bhatti said that he has accepted a very difficult task to develop the Lab at International Standard. “Sindh government did not transfer the budget of Lab to GIMS, however soon as funds are received, he will address the issues of salary and other matters.”

Dr. Bhatti said that he had no any information about the letter of Dr. Naeem-ul-Haq Qureshi sent to Health Secretary.

It may be recalled that one Muhammad Yaqoob Mangrio had filed a petition in 2019 in Sindh High Court Hyderabad that the though the lab was established over a decade ago, it has still not produced the vaccines which are currently being provided by the National Institute of Health Sciences, Islamabad. He cited the acute shortage of anti-snake venom (ASVs) and anti-rabies vaccines (ARVs) in public sector hospitals across the province.

On his petition, SHC had directed health department to provide funds for anti-snake venom, anti-rabies vaccine laboratory. Then Sindh Chief Secretary Syed Mumtaz Ali Shah had assured the court of regular quarterly fund release. However, the issue of funds still haunts the Lab, as mentioned by Dr. Naeem in his letter sent to the Health Secretary. According to him an amount of Rs.264 million was sanctioned by the then Chief Secretary for the fiscal year 2021-22, of which Rs.85 million were released while remaining Rs.179 million are still awaited, which he feared to lapse if not released before June 2022.

Moreover, as per MoU signed for transfer of administrative and financial control, the GIMS was to meet the fiscal needs of Lab till it receives funds from the government.

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From Our Correspondent

Khairpur

The 1st 3-day workshop on Pediatric Urology Genitourinary Reconstruction held at Pir Abdul Qadir Shah Jilani Institute of Medical Sciences Gambat (GIMS) concluded on Sunday.

Workshop was organized by the department of Pediatric Surgery and Urology Department of GIMS.

During three days of workshop different kinds of the live surgeries were performed by the Urologists hailing from different hospitals of Pakistan. Live surgeries like exstrophy epispadias Complex (EEC), the most serious form of abdominal midline malformation, in which only partial bladder closure, were operated. Patients underwent take down of previous repair, complete reconstruction and bilateral hernia repair besides mid penile hypospadias, Snodgrass repair, and removal of kidney stone by Nephrolithotomy of girl patient.

Workshop was unique in the rural background Institute GIMS, where free of cost Liver and Kidney Transplantation is being performed.

Dr. Illahi Bux Brohi Head of the Department of Pediatric Surgery and Urologist Dr. Hina Yousif, Dr. Muhammad Khan Babar and others said that training, live operations and lectures were delivered during the workshop. They said that around 3000 Urology Surgeries within three years period have been performed.

Captain ® Dr. Rahim Bakhsh Bhatti, Director GIMS, said that the Institute has got international recognition as the Health Providing Service Institute and added that around 550 Liver Transplants in a short period of three years have been performed by GIMS that include 284 patients from Sindh, 164 from Punjab, 80 from Balochistan, 14 from KPK and some patients are from Islamabad, Azad Kashmir and Afghanistan. The bone marrow transplant is also a big achievement of the GIMS.

He said that GIMS is one of the best health care systems in Pakistan.

Dr. Bhatti said that the workshop on Pediatric Urology Genitourinary Reconstruction was a good achievement and added that during a conference live surgeries were performed as well as the urologists from across Pakistan had shared their ideas and research about the Pediatric Urology Genitourinary Reconstruction.

Certificates and shields were given to the participating doctors at the concluding ceremony.

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Some 38000 patients came to Sindh during last 2 years from Khyber Pakhtunkhaw

200 liver transplants have been performed at GIMS, of which 86 were from other provinces – Murtaza wahab

Karachi: More than 300,000 people from other provinces, including 38000 from Khyber Pakhtunkhaw, came to Sindh for treatment at hospitals here during last two years.

Spokesperson of Sindh Government and Advisor for Law, Environment & Coastal Development Barrister Murtaza Wahab released the figures at a press conference at Media Corner of Sindh Assembly Building on Wednesday.

“The hospitals of Sindh province were serving the people of Pakistan,” he said.

Addressing the Federal Minister Murad Saeed, he said that if you have spilled milk and honey canals, then why the people are coming to Sindh from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for treatment?

He said that people across the country are benefiting from Sindh Cyber Knife facility and the Gambat Institute of Medical Sciences (GIMS) is the only public hospital in Pakistan which bears all the expenses of patients with the help of Sindh government.

“Here liver and kidney transplants are carried out and so far more than 200 liver transplants have been performed at GIMS, 86 of which were from other provinces,” he told.

“They only make accusations, but we believe in practical work and service to the people,” he lamented.

Murtaza Wahab said that the Sindh government was providing the best healthcare facilities but Murad Saeed was just marketing his health card. “The Sindh government does not issue health cards. We believe that every citizen of Pakistan should have access to health facilities and everyone should have facilities but they do not realize what they are announcing.”

“I speak on the basis of facts, so I find them offensive,” he said.

“Imran Khan talks of Rs.162 billion, mobile health unit in Thar; he spoke about Hyderabad University and inaugurated the university in Islamabad. Don’t we have the right to ask how many students from Hyderabad have graduated from that university?”

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