Medical students at Jinnah Sindh Medical University (JSMU) in Karachi have produced a multilingual handbook that helps doctors take clinical histories from patients who speak different languages. The guide covers seven languages, and its creators say it removes language as a obstacle during patient consultations.
The handbook was developed by students of the Internal Medicine Interest Group of Sindh Medical College (IMIG-SMC). It is available as a free digital resource and targets the gap between medical students, who are mainly trained in English, and patients who speak regional languages.
Handbook aims to sharpen patient communication
The tool is designed to help students better grasp patients’ symptoms, improve clarity in clinical communication and support more accurate assessments. Because it is published online at no cost, it also avoids price and distribution hurdles, giving students who treat patients from varied linguistic backgrounds wider access.
Faculty supervision and a Sri Lankan student’s role
The project was completed under the supervision of Dr. Sadaf Razzaq, Associate Professor of Pathology, and Professor Dr. Ambreen Usmani, Principal of Sindh Medical College. Abdul Thawwab Ishaque, a Sri Lankan final-year MBBS student and former IMIG-SMC president, played a key role in developing the handbook.
His contribution was described as evidence that medical education and service to humanity can cross national borders.
Launch ceremony draws university and diplomatic guests
JSMU Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Amjad Siraj Memon attended as chief guest, alongside Sri Lankan Consul General Hon. Sanjeewa Pattiwila and CPSP Director Dr. Sahar Abbasi, who were guests of honour. Memon said the handbook was built to close language gaps in clinical settings and improve communication between medical students and patients.
Pattiwila praised Ishaque’s work, calling it a proud moment for Sri Lanka and saying it showed that the pursuit of knowledge and service to humanity transcend national borders.
