Dr. Habib-ul-Haq Siddiqui
29th July, 1930 – 7th August 2011
The Founder of PSA
A tree laden with fruits always bends low. This is so true for Dr. Habib-ul-Haq Siddiqui-the Founder of Pakistan Society of Anaesthesiologists (PSA), a very dedicated, hardworking, kind-hearted, honest and humble person.
Dr Habib-ul-Haq Siddiqui was born on 29th July, 1930 in Meerath (India). He qualified his Intermediate examination in 1947 from Muslim University of Aligarh (India). He migrated to Pakistan and did his graduation (MBBS) from Dow Medical College, Karachi in 1954 and became a renowned Dowite.
In 1956, Dr. Habib-ul-Haq Siddiqui joined Dow Medical College and Civil Hospital, Karachi as an Assistant Anesthetist. In 1957 he went to London for the postgraduation in Anesthesiology and joined the Wanstead Hospital London as resident anesthetist, from where he did DA RCP and RCS.
After completing his post graduation, Dr. Habib-ul-Haq Siddiqui served in different hospitals of the world as a consultant anesthesiologist including The Agha Khan Platinum Jubilee Hospital Nairobi, Indian Maternity Hospital Nairobi, Pumwani Maternity Hospital Nairobi, Lady Dufferin Hospital Karachi and Naveed Clinic Karachi. He also served as Head of Department at Ankleseria Hospital Karachi and MidEast Hospital Karachi.
On 13th March 1971 twelve Pakistani anesthesiologists, led by Dr Habib-ul-Haq Siddiqui, formally joined hands at Karachi and decided to collectively strive for the betterment of their specialty, and thus PSA was born. The seed, which was planted in Karachi in 1971, has now become a full grown tree, extending its branches all over the country. Today, several branches of PSA have been formed and active in all of the major cities of Pakistan.
Besides being Founder of PSA, Dr Habib-ul-Haq Siddiqui also served the PSA as Patron, President and Gen. Secretary in different tenures. His activities were not limited to PSA; other medical associations and organizations also benefitted from his professional abilities. He had been the President and Member Executive Committee of Pakistan Welfare Society, Lady Dufferin Hospital Karachi and also Member Executive Committee of Pakistan Medical Association.
His other achievements include, representation of Pakistan at IIIrd Asian and Australian Congress of Anesthesiology, Canbera Australia in 1970, at the Preparatory Committee of WHO sponsored Anaesthesia Training Centre in Manila and nomination as the sole representative on (Education in Anesthesiology) V World Conference of Anesthesiology in Kyoto (Japan) in 1972.
Alongside with professional commitments and social works, in leisure time, he loved to do gardening; his other hobbies being reading and travelling. He travelled several countries around the globe.
He left us on Sunday, 7th August, 2011 for his final abode to eternity. May Almighty Allah rest his soul in eternal peace. Ameen.
We will never forget the services of Dr Habib-ul-Haq Siddiqui towards PSA, anesthesiology and the humanity, and salute the founder of our Society. He will always be remembered.
