AL-SHIFA CLINIC
Symbol of Free Medical Service
Village: Kaigram, Upazila: Singra, District: Natore, Bangladesh
Established in: December 2024
FOUNDER
Professor of Economics, Utah Valley University
O-mankind, “It’s not your wealth or ancestry but your piety that makes you great and rewards this world and the world hereafter.” (Professor Abdus Samad)
Surah Ash-Shu’ara (26:80) (On healing by Allah’s will) “And when I am ill, it is He who cures me.”
Proverbs 19:17: “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done.”
Exodus 22:25: “If you lend money to one of my people among you who is needy, do not be like a moneylender; charge him no interest.”
Matthew 10:8: “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.”
Al-Shifa Clinic is established in the remote rural and farming area of Bangladesh to serve the neglected poor who have no money to travel to the city for medical facilities. Moved by the sufferings and begging of the poor, Professor Abdus Samad established this clinic named Al Shifa (Healing). The clinic is dedicated to medical service free of charge.
May Allah (God) accept Professor Samad's services and the services of those who donate to Al-Shifa and reward him in this world and the world hereafter.
Background Of Establishment Of Al-Shifa Clinic
Each year, during my visits to the remote rural area of my birthplace, I am approached by the poor and the sick seeking financial help for medical treatment. Despite giving them money, I often see the same individuals again, still in need. Curious, I once asked, “Didn’t I give you money for treatment? What happened?” Their responses revealed the harsh reality they face. Some explained that the city, where medical facilities are located, is far away, and the cost of bus fare alone is beyond their means. Others shared that city doctors often disregard them due to their impoverished appearance, forcing them to wait endlessly or even forgo treatment. Instead, they used the money I provided to feed their hungry families.
This deeply moved me. The region is predominantly agricultural, with farmers living in subsistence-level poverty, making city medical services unattainable. I realized that simply handing out money was not a sustainable solution to address their healthcare needs. My modern home in the village, vacant most of the year except during my brief visits, offered an opportunity to make a lasting impact. I decided to transform it into a clinic to provide accessible medical care to the community.
In December 2024, I established Clinic Al-Sifa, a place where hope and healing converge. The clinic operates every Friday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, offering free medical services to those in need. It is staffed by a qualified medical doctor, two assistants, and a cleaner, all of whom receive fair salaries, along with free lunch, coffee, and snacks to encourage their service in this rural area. Since its opening, the clinic has been a beacon of relief for over seventy-five patients every Friday, providing them with essential healthcare at no cost.
The joy and gratitude of the community have been humbling. What was once a distant dream is now a reality, transforming lives and bringing much-needed medical care to the poor and sick.
Why Al-Shifa Clinic Is Essential for Kaigram Village
Al-Shifa Clinic was established in the remote farming village of Kaigram, located approximately 8–10 miles from the nearest urban centers of Singra Upazila and Nandigram Upazila. Access to hospital facilities in these towns is extremely limited for Kaigram residents. Transportation options are scarce; the only available bus services are infrequent, and the journey to reach basic medical care can take up to 2 hours — a critical barrier during medical emergencies.
Kaigram’s economy is based almost entirely on subsistence farming and day labor. Most families live off fragmented plots of land, with average farm sizes of less than 0.50 hectares. With an average income well below Bangladesh’s national average of $2,800 per year, residents of Kaigram struggle to afford even basic healthcare services.
In this context, Al-Shifa Clinic was not just a convenience — it became a necessity. By providing free healthcare within the village itself, Al-Shifa Clinic brings vital medical care to a vulnerable population that would otherwise go untreated. It stands as a lifeline for hundreds of families who face both economic and geographic barriers to healthcare every day.
INFORMATION FOR DONORS: Donations to Al Sifa are US tax exempt under the 501-C Tax Exempt Organization, IAN RURAL DEVELOPMENT, EIN Number: 26-3480280.