Dr. Mohammad Zulfiquar Hussain practiced in Prince Albert for over 40 years. (submitted photo/Saskatchewan Health Authority)

By Michael Joel-Hansen

In memory

Memorial scholarship to honour late P.A. doctor

Feb 28, 2020 | 4:51 PM

A local pharmacy is teaming up with the Victoria Hospital Foundation to honour the memory of a longtime Prince Albert doctor.

Rizwan and Saima Ali, owners of Pharmasave PA Pharmacy on Second Avenue, have agreed to be the sponsors of the Dr. M.Z. Hussain Memorial Scholarship Program. The program will be available to current workers at the hospital looking to upgrade their qualifications.

Dr. Mohammad Zulfiquar Hussain passed away in October from a heart attack. His death was felt by his patients and left a gap in service as the Saskatchewan Health Authority looked to find a solution.

Rizwan Ali, owner and pharmacy manager of PA Pharmacy said he was looking to give back to the city.

“I have a wonderful support from this community, so I was wondering if I could do something [to] better … this community,” he said.

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Ali said he had supported the hospital foundation in the past and welcomed the chance to get behind this new initiative when it was brought to his attention. Ali added he knew the late Dr. Hussain as his clinic was near the pharmacy.

“I had a lot of respect for him in my heart,” he said.

Ali explained he admired Hussain as he found he was a competent doctor and a good person. Ali said he admired that Hussain practiced in P.A. for over 40 years and how hard he worked. The fact that Hussain would help out his patients when they couldn’t afford the medications they needed was something Ali admired.

“He had a very soft heart,” he said.

Hussain’s dedication to the overall community was also something which Ali admired. Hussain sponsored a mosque for the local Muslim community and also contributed money to support a school for orphans in Pakistan.

“It is one of the best and [most] beautiful mosques in Canada I would say,” Ali noted.

Sherry Buckler, CEO of the Victoria Hospital Foundation said the program is a wonderful way to honour the memory of Dr. Hussain. Buckler said the scholarship program is a first for the hospital foundation and the money will help improve quality of care as hospital employees will be able to get support to upgrade their skills.

Buckler explained the scholarship program is worth a total of $10,000 and will support licensed practical nurses, registered nurses and allied health care professionals in upgrading their qualifications. The foundation is accepting applications and hopes to name the recipients soon.

“We hope to announce our very first recipients along with the Ali family and our committee in the middle of May,” Buckler explained.

MichaelJoel.Hansen@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @mjhskcdn