The Medicine Man Of Kashmir

Long before modern medicine, as we know it, there lived a nobleman in a remote Kashmiri village. He would go from door to door to administer first aid, vaccinations, etc., to his community.

This is a unique tale of a man with a mission - Ghulam Nabi Bhat (Siraj) – who spent his entire life serving the medical needs of Anantnag, Kashmir.

How It All Began

Born in a modest family in the village of Sarnal, Ghulam Nabi grew up quite close to John Bishop Memorial Hospital, established during the time of the British Raj, and completed 10th grade from Hanfia High School. He became involved in the freedom movement of Kashmir, and it was while he was in prison, along with other protesters, that he realised his life’s calling.

Ghulam Nabi received very basic medical training from a local doctor, under whose guidance he learned how to give intravenous and intramuscular injections. Thereafter, he opened his own fair price Chemist Shop and offered the community the benefit of making home visits to give injections, treat small injuries, and so on. He would also vaccinate Hajj pilgrims. 

From the very beginning, Ghulam Nabi’s commitment to community was evident. He was dedicated to serving others and went out of his way to reach the sick and needy, remaining faithful to his cause even when he was called in the middle of the night.

The Making Of The Injection Man

Ghulam Nabi’s fame as a First Aid Man spread rapidly, and his dedicated service drew the attention of the District Medical Officer of the town. This resulted in him being recruited as a Class 4 employee and assigned to look after the Well Baby Clinic, where vaccinations were administered to newborns and infants. This job gave him valuable training on how to take care of children, and give them injections, vaccinations, etc.

Ghulam Nabi was particularly affected by the devastating impact of Polio at that time, and he undertook to protect children by travelling vast distances to administer lifesaving polio drops to the little ones of the community. Not being well-off, he travelled on foot or on horseback and became a familiar figure. Children knew him as the ‘injection man’.

The Pilgrim’s Doctor

In time, Ghulam Nabi extended his selfless service beyond the town of Anantnag, and his secular outlook led him to serve the annual Hindu pilgrimage, the Amarnath Yatra. This Yatra would take place annually in Pahalgam when the pilgrims travelled to the Amarnath Cave, at an altitude of 14,500 feet.

Medical teams were posted along the route, and Ghulam Nabi would volunteer his services, braving severe weather conditions and dangerous terrain. His credo was always to serve people, regardless of their economic status or religion.

Ghulam Nabi stands out as a shining example of commitment to the cause of health. He did not allow the lack of modern amenities or technology to deter him from ministering to the community, and for that, he will always be fondly remembered.