DOW University of Health Sciences
Description
Dow was first established in Hyderabad, Pakistan, as a small medical school proposed to grant only the LSMF qualification. Before the Independence, in 1941, the Indian Medical Council, in order to introduce a uniform standard of medical education, either abolished or raised many medical schools to a university degree level.
In 1943, a committee consisting of Dr. Hermends R. Wadhwani (Minister of Public Health), Col. J. E. Gray (Inspector General of Civil Hospitals), and Mr. Abhichand (Executive Engineer) developed plans for Dow Medical College. Major (Later Lt. Col.) Aziz K. M. Khan continued this project during the absence of Col. Gray. The college was inaugurated by Governor Maudie of Sind in Hyderabad in 1945. The first batch of admitted students included forty-five students, among whom was a Muslim girl, Ms. Fahmida Shaikh. In 1944, another committee consisting of Dr. Molgonkar, Dr. Yodh, and Col. Jalal M. Shah recommended moving the institution to Karachi.
The foundation stone of the new building was laid in Karachi on December 10, 1945, by Sir Hugh Dow, Governor of Sind, after whom the medical college was named. The college was transferred from Hyderabad to Karachi on December 31, 1945, and was temporarily housed in the N.J.V. High School building.
The new Dow Medical College building began functioning in November 1946. In December 1946, a team of inspectors from Bombay University recommended continued affiliation for pre-clinical years and conditional affiliation for clinical subjects.
After Pakistan’s independence, Dow Medical College came under the University of Sind’s jurisdiction. A new committee visited the institution on December 22, 1947, and recommended full affiliation. The college remained under the Government of Sind until it was taken over by the central government on July 8, 1951. In 1953, the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) granted official recognition to the college.
The Legislature of Sindh, through an Act, established the Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS), comprising Dow Medical College, Sindh Medical College, and Ojha Institute of Chest Diseases as its constituent entities.
Since its inception, Dow has enjoyed a strong regional and global reputation for producing outstanding physicians and healthcare professionals. As Pakistan’s largest and most comprehensive health sciences system, DUHS serves as a model for quality education, research, and clinical care. This leadership has been driven by the lasting contributions of its faculty, staff, and students at both regional and international levels.
Under the visionary leadership of Prof. Saeed Quraishy, DUHS has developed a Strategic Plan (2019–2030), which outlines a bold blueprint for academic excellence, research innovation, clinical quality, and community service. This initiative, titled “A Bridge to Excellence,” reflects the university's unwavering commitment to achieving its vision, mission, and goals.