During the Liberation War of 1971, Dr. Zafrullah Chowdhury (1941-2023) and a group of dedicated professionals established a 480-bedded Bangladesh Field Hospital in Tripura, India, providing essential medical care to injured freedom fighters and refugees. In January 1972, in the aftermath of the Bangladesh Liberation War, the Field Hospital was moved to 132 New Eskaton Road, Dhaka. In April 1972, it was relocated to Savar and established as Gonoshasthaya Kendra (GK). Gonoshasthaya Kendra (GK) is a registered Public Charitable Trust, established in 1972 and one of the oldest non-governmental, non-profit, and national level organizations in Bangladesh.

GSVMC is a unique, non-profit medical college established with the ideals of the spirit of the Liberation War and the commitment to free thought. The college received approval in 1989 and, after the necessary infrastructure was developed, officially commenced its academic activities in 1998. Since its inception, GSVMC has been committed to providing quality medical education, promoting research, and producing competent and compassionate medical professionals. The institution places emphasis on integrating modern medical education with technology and information resources to enhance learning, academic development, and research opportunities for students and faculty.

The Gonosasthaya Samaj Vittik Medical College & Dental Unit E-Library is a modern digital learning and information resource that provides students, teachers, researchers, doctors, and other academic staff with convenient access to electronic academic resources. It supports medical education, clinical learning, research, and evidence-based practice through a centralized digital platform. This e-library provides access to e-books, e-journals, medical databases, research papers, theses, dissertations, institutional publications, clinical guidelines, and other digital learning materials. It also includes an institutional repository for preserving and providing access to the college's academic and research outputs. The system is integrated with KOHA and an institutional repository platform DSpace, allowing users to search and access resources through an online library portal or OPAC.

Zafrullah Chowdhury was a renowned Bangladeshi physician, public health activist, and social entrepreneur. He was born in 1941 and played an important role in the development of community-based healthcare in Bangladesh. During the Liberation War of 1971, he worked to provide medical care to wounded freedom fighters and refugees. After the war, he became one of the key founders of Gonoshasthaya Kendra (GK), an organization dedicated to improving healthcare access for underserved communities. Dr. Chowdhury strongly advocated for affordable healthcare, essential medicines, community-based medical education, and social justice. His work contributed significantly to Bangladesh's public-health movement and earned international recognition.

Key Awards & Honors

• 1972: Certificate of Commendation - General Muhammad Ataul Gani Osmani awarded Dr. Zafrullah Chowdhury for contributions during the Liberation War.
• 1974: Swedish Youth Peace Prize, Sweden - In recognition of his role in founding Gonoshasthaya Kendra.
• 1977: Independence Award, Bangladesh - Highest state award for innovative family planning and primary health care.
• 1981: Maulana Bhashani Award, Bangladesh - For efforts in the health and family planning sector.
• 1983: Historic Donation - Donation to GK of one of the first ceramic vessels used to manufacture Penicillin by Dr. Norman George Heatley OBE.
• 1985: Ramon Magsaysay Award, Philippines - The "Asian Nobel Prize" for Community Leadership.
• 1989: Rear Admiral Mahbub Ali Khan Memorial Award, Bangladesh - For special contributions to the health sector.
• 1992: The Right Livelihood Award, Sweden - The "Alternative Nobel Prize" for health and human development.
• 2001: One World Action Award, United Kingdom - Award from One World Action.
• 2002: Public Health Heroes Award, United States - For bringing health care to the underserved rural population.
• 2007: Fr. Tong Memorial Award, India - For exemplary contribution to health and development.
• 2009: Doctor of Humanitarian Sciences Award, Canada - From the World Organization of Natural Medicine.
• 2026: Independence Award, Bangladesh - Posthumously awarded for his outstanding contribution to the healthcare sector.

Gonoshasthaya Kendra has received numerous other honors and awards to recognize the organization's diverse people-oriented development activities and Dr. Zafrullah Chowdhury's role as a Freedom Fighter, social activist, and innovator in the fields of health care, education, women's empowerment, advocacy, and disaster management, etc.

He passed away on 11 April 2023. His legacy continues through Gonoshasthaya Kendra and its educational and healthcare institutions.