Alumni Spotlight
Dr Naila Baig-Ansari
Director Research, IRD Global
MSc Epi-Bio '01
Why did you opt for an MSc in Epidemiology from AKU? What would you like people to know about the role of epidemiology in healthcare?
Opting for an MSc in Epidemiology at AKU was an easy decision. AKU's reputation was unmatched, and back in 1999, there were no other options for studying epidemiology, despite a clear need for it. At that time, I was involved in publishing the Infectious Disease Journal of Pakistan, and it became obvious with each manuscript review that very few people had experience in conducting scientifically sound research. What I would like people to know about the role of epidemiology in healthcare is that we are the disease detectives helping understand how to prevent it. We help provide the proof for informed decisions in healthcare.
You spent 10 years at the Indus Hospital. What was the highlight of that journey for you, and what did you learn during your time there?
When I joined Indus Hospital, there was a general hesitancy and doubt among clinicians about conducting research. My mission was to foster an interest in research while ensuring that the studies conducted were meaningful and scientifically sound. I focused on establishing proper processes, working with the administration to ensure that both consultants and residents followed a robust IRB review process and obtained certification in human subject research ethics—standard practice internationally. I'm proud to have contributed to embedding ethical research practices at Indus, even though it wasn't mandated by Pakistani regulations at the time.
One key observation over the years is that not all clinicians are researchers, and they shouldn't be pushed into becoming one. The "publish or perish" culture often leads to unethical shortcuts like gift authorship or rushed work. True research should stem from a passion for discovery, not fear of career stagnation. This is particularly relevant for post-graduate trainees, where many residents are uninterested in research, and their supervisors often lack the skills to guide them. As a result, it can become a pointless, time-consuming task, sometimes wasting patients' valuable time.
Have the challenges you faced during the initial years of your research journey changed from the ones you face today? How have you dealt with some of those challenging ground realities?
The challenges I faced early in my research career have certainly evolved. Today, more clinicians understand the importance of involving an epidemiologist right from the study design phase, rather than bringing them in later to troubleshoot. When I first started, it was common to see completed studies where clinicians struggled to answer the research question or analyze the data properly. Changing this mindset took time but it happened.
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly elevated the profile of clinical research. Hospital administrations have since recognized the need to invest in research. For hospitals like Indus, which were already grounded in ethical research practices, participating in COVID-19 trials was straightforward. To meet the demands of large trials, we even innovated by converting containers into a dedicated clinical trial unit.
However, certain persistent challenges remain, particularly with outdated or unclear government regulations. Often, research guidelines are either missing or poorly designed, creating obstacles instead of facilitating progress. This bureaucratic inefficiency leads to delays in approvals, stifles innovation, and causes missed opportunities. For example, international collaborators have noted that there are inconsistent institutional review board (IRB) processes across Pakistani institutions and policies around data privacy, and research ethics are not standardized. These ongoing issues highlight the need for regulatory reforms that align with global standards to enable more efficient and ethical research.
Your work on community and child nutrition stands out. Kindly elaborate on that work and its impact.
It's been a while since I focused on my original research areas, which included household food insecurity, complementary feeding, and gender disparities in nutrition. Over time, my career has shifted toward mentoring others, guiding them to critically assess their research questions and design studies that are truly meaningful, not just done for the sake of research.
I believe that a particular way of thinking is required for this—one that doesn't always come naturally but can be learned through practice and careful observation. There's immense satisfaction in witnessing the "a-ha" moments when my colleagues, juniors, and mentees finally understand this approach and realize that their dataset tells a story waiting to be uncovered.
From your time at AKU as a graduate student and as an epidemiologist, do you have a favorite moment, anecdote or incident that is etched in your memory?
My decision to join AKU as a graduate student was a litmus test for the system. Many people don't know this, but I dropped out of medical school just before my first professional exam. Back in the mid-80s, with General Zia-ul-Haq's ban on student unions, educational institutions were chaotic—gunfire, prolonged closures, and constant unrest. I was at Dow for two years but only had classes for about six months; the rest of the time, it was closed. Disillusioned, I left Pakistan, switched fields entirely, and completed my undergraduate degree in Business Administration in the United States.
At the age of 34, I decided to return to the medical field, but through the epidemiology route. The first obstacle I encountered was being told that I was not a medical doctor so I was not eligible for the program. I pointed out that the advertisement required a four-year undergraduate degree, which I had, and that many leading epidemiologists worldwide came from non-medical backgrounds. On this technicality, I was allowed to take the entrance exam, which I passed easily and also passed the panel of interviews.
The first semester was a breeze for me, largely because I had studied mathematics in school and knew how to use a calculator—unlike many of my MBBS-trained classmates. I helped them along the way and graduated with distinction, proving that you don't need to be an MBBS doctor to excel in epidemiology. So, anything is possible, and no obstacle should limit you from becoming who you want to be.
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?
That's a tough question because, as a nation, we are failing our people through poor governance. Healthcare cannot be viewed in isolation; no matter how much we invest in it, we will always be several steps behind without addressing foundational issues. A large portion of our healthcare challenges can be alleviated by focusing on water and sanitation. It's estimated that nearly 40% of diseases in Pakistan are related to contaminated water and inadequate sanitation and a large portion of our healthcare challenges can be alleviated by focusing on water and sanitation.
In terms of where we are doing well, there have been improvements in some regions but by-in-large, the Pakistani healthcare system remains inadequate, inaccessible and unaffordable. The gaps are still vast, particularly in rural areas and urban slums. A stronger focus on governance and systemic reforms is essential to create sustainable improvements in health outcomes.
If you had a time machine, which period of your professional journey would you like to revisit, and why?
If I had a time machine, I would revisit the period when I left medical school and made a career switch. With the perspective I have now, I might have chosen to push through the challenges, knowing that there was light at the end of the tunnel. Alternatively, I might have pivoted to epidemiology and biostatistics much earlier, avoiding the 13-year detour.
Past Alumni Spotlight
1. Dr Philomena Drago
2. Dr Bashir Hanif
3. Dr Shereen Khan
