When Dr Sajid Iqbal reflects on his journey at Aga Khan University (AKU), one thing stands out—his PhD project that shaped his career and purpose. He spent six years extensively studying tobacco treatment and prevention, an interest he developed at AKU, and came to fully grasp the devastating impact of tobacco use on Pakistanis. His discoveries now have immense potential to effectively curb tobacco use in Pakistan and abroad.
Dr Iqbal's affiliation with Aga Khan University (AKU) began with his Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) in 2007, followed by a Master of Science in Nursing (MScN) in 2013. In March 2024, Sajid reached a historic milestone: becoming the first male Nursing PhD graduate and the second PhD in Nursing graduate from AKU.
Pioneering Research in Tobacco Cessation
Dr Iqbal's PhD, titled “Culturally Tailored Smoking Cessation Interventions for Smokers with Cardiovascular and Respiratory Diseases in Pakistan: A Mixed Methods Study" broke new ground in public health. His work addressed the alarming fact that only 24.7% of smokers in Pakistan attempt to quit each year, with a staggering 97.4% failing to succeed.
His project developed tailored solutions—like culturally sensitive programmes and proper support systems—to help smokers quit for good. The results were outstanding: 43% of participants successfully stopped smoking, while 89% reduced their daily consumption.
“Sajid's research has immense potential to shape policy and practice in smoking cessation interventions," said his thesis supervisor, Dr Rubina Barolia. “I am incredibly proud of how far he has come."
One of his mentors, Dr Tazeen Saeed Ali remarked, “The successful defense of Sajid's PhD thesis not only underscores his academic prowess but also highlights AKU's role as a leading institution in groundbreaking research. This is a step forward for nursing in Pakistan."
A Legacy of Excellence
Dr Iqbal's achievements extend beyond his PhD project. Throughout his doctoral studies, he earned multiple accolades, including the Graduate Researcher Award at AKU's 14th Health Sciences Research Assembly, and the Farida Allana Research Award in 2024. He also secured a prestigious full scholarship from the Mayo Clinic for Tobacco Treatment Specialist training.
In addition to publishing numerous articles in high-impact journals such as BMJ Open and BMC Public Health, Dr Iqbal worked on major global health projects, including the PRIME initiative, funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. His research has been presented at prestigious international conferences, such as the 47th Biennial Research Conference in the US and multiple health research assemblies.
What the Future Holds
As he reflects on his journey, Dr Iqbal attributes his success to the supportive environment at AKU. “AKU provided an environment that enabled me to do things I once thought were dreams," he reflects.
Now a mentor himself to master's and PhD students, Dr Iqbal is passionate about passing on the knowledge and opportunities he received. He also plans to expand his tobacco control programme.
“My goal is to reduce the prevalence of tobacco use in developing countries in South Asia," Dr Iqbal explains. “This includes establishing smoking cessation clinics, preventing youth from starting tobacco use, and advocating for stronger anti-tobacco policies."
