In Bangla, Gono means People, Shasthaya means Health and Kendra stands for Center

On March 25, 1971, the liberation war of Bangladesh began in response to an oppressive Pakistani rule, marked by brutal genocidal attacks by the Pakistan army. During this time, news of the armed struggle of Bengalis led a group of expatriate doctors working in London to organise the Bangladesh Medical Association. Two of the doctors, Dr. Zafrullah Chowdhury and Dr. M.A. Mobin visited the frontlines of the war and began treating wounded soldiers, known as "Freedom Fighters," who were fighting a guerrilla war against the Pakistan army. With the help of the Bangladesh exile government in Calcutta, they established a field hospital on the eastern border of Bangladesh, near the Tripura and Comilla districts.

After independence, the lessons learned in treating the Freedom Fighters and refugees proved invaluable in developing the character of today’s Gonoshasthaya Kendra (GK).

 
Gonoshasthaya Kendra (GK) started its post-war activities in 1972 with the assistance of 22 volunteers and doctors. They resided in a few tents at Bishmail, Savar working to provide better health care services for the people, particularly women and children. Gonoshasthaya Kendra is now located in the southern part of the village Nolam, near the National Martyr Monument of Savar.