I always planned to come back to my province and city and when the time came, I returned. I never thought otherwise. Having my parents, family and friends here made it an obvious choice for me.
What is something about cardiac surgery and heart disease that our readers should know about? Beyond surgery, are you engaged in research or other academic work?
I have multiple dimensions in which I work. Clinically I do adult cardiac surgery, congenital cardiac surgery, thoracic surgery and vascular surgery. I do research including publications and managing databases. I am also actively involved in training both at the undergraduate and post graduate level.
In your vast experience, what are the most pressing healthcare needs of our people? Where are we, as a healthcare community, doing well and where do we need more effort and investment?
I think our country has progressed a lot, particularly Peshawar. With the addition of a few major institutions like SKMC and PIC Peshawar it has surpassed the other cities in many areas of healthcare. But we still need more expertise in modern medicine to fill the gap. Access to health is another issue that needs to be addressed, for instance, cardiac surgery in KP is only done in Peshawar and the rest of the province needs more institutions.
Tell us about the institute you are currently associated with; Rehman Medical Institute. What insights have you gained by working in a city like Peshawar and a region like KPK?
