What does an average day in your life look like as a Director Hr and affiliation at JSMU?

As Director of HR and Affiliation at Jinnah Sindh Medical University (JSMU), my day is dynamic and multifaceted, balancing responsibilities across human resources, institutional affiliations, and alumni relations. Mornings typically begin with reviewing emails and task lists to stay ahead of priorities. In HR, I oversee the full employee lifecycle from recruitment and onboarding to performance management and grievance resolution while fostering a transparent and supportive work environment. Concurrently, I manage affiliation matters with medical, dental, nursing, and allied health colleges, ensuring compliance and coordination through inspections and official meetings. Additionally, as Chair of Alumni Affairs, I work passionately to maintain strong connections with our graduates, supporting their initiatives and keeping them engaged with the university. Each day brings new challenges and meaningful opportunities to contribute to JSMU's growth and excellence.

How do you see the role of alumni in strengthening research collaboration and academic partnerships between institutions like AKU and JSMU?​

Alumni play a pivotal role in strengthening research collaborations and academic partnerships between institutions like JSMU and AKU, both of which share a commitment to advancing healthcare education and research. In my role as Chair of Alumni Affairs at JSMU, I've witnessed how alumni serve as vital connectors—leveraging their networks, professional roles, and institutional affiliations to facilitate joint research initiatives, clinical studies, and public health programs. Their involvement can open doors to funding opportunities, expert collaborations, and shared research infrastructure, while also mentoring faculty and students and promoting a culture of research excellence. By acting as catalysts and advocates, alumni help build sustainable, high-impact collaborations that benefit not only the two universities but also the broader healthcare landscape in Pakistan and beyond.

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?

As a pediatrician with over 30 years of experience, including 14 years at Aga Khan Karimabad, my foremost concerns are reducing infant mortality, ensuring complete immunization coverage, and eradicating polio in Pakistan. Despite some progress, infant mortality remains high due to inadequate maternal care, malnutrition, and preventable infections especially in rural areas where access to quality healthcare is limited. Immunization efforts face logistical barriers, misinformation, and vaccine hesitancy, requiring targeted outreach and education. Polio continues to pose a threat in certain regions, hindered by political instability and security challenges affecting vaccination campaigns. On the positive side, public awareness has improved through health campaigns, and urban healthcare infrastructure has strengthened, particularly in neonatal and pediatric care. However, much more is needed especially in expanding rural healthcare access, strengthening immunization programs, and sustaining momentum in polio eradication efforts. To truly improve child health in Pakistan, we must prioritize these areas through sustained investment, community engagement, and a unified public health strategy.

Could you highlight some of your key areas of interest and any impactful projects you have worked on?

With decades of experience as a pediatrician including 14 impactful years at Aga Khan Health Service, Karimabad I have contributed to child health through both clinical care and preventive pediatrics, focusing on early intervention, health education, and community outreach. My professional journey has evolved to include medical education, community service, and, most notably, career mentorship. As Chair of the Career Guidance Committee at Jinnah Sindh Medical University (JSMU), I have led numerous initiatives—webinars, mentorship programs, and international collaborations—to guide medical students in making informed career choices and developing key professional skills. Beyond academia, I remain deeply committed to humanitarian work, having organized medical relief during the 2022 Sindh floods and conducting weekly free clinics in underserved communities. I have also led over 200 training sessions on clinical care, disaster preparedness, and public health awareness. Through these multifaceted roles, I strive to empower future healthcare professionals and contribute meaningfully to the well-being of our communities.

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From your time at AKU, do you have a favorite moment, anecdote, or incident that is etched in your memory? How would you describe that journey?

My journey at Aga Khan University (AKU) remains one of the most formative and cherished chapters of my life, a time marked by rigorous learning, personal growth, and the forging of lifelong friendships. The intellectually stimulating yet supportive environment at AKU instilled in me the values of integrity, resilience, and a lifelong commitment to self-improvement. Mentorship played a transformative role, with faculty not only guided my academic path but also shaped my character and work ethic. I fondly recall the eloquent and inspiring teaching of Prof. Rukhsana Zuberi, as well as a memorable policy discussion with a senior government official that demonstrated the power of preparation and collaboration. Among the most fulfilling moments was my thesis defense, where the external examiner's praise made all the effort feel profoundly worthwhile. These experiences—both inside and outside the classroom—deeply influenced my identity as a healthcare professional and continue to guide me in my roles as a mentor, educator, and servant to the community.

If you had a time machine, which period of your journey as a healthcare professional would you like to revisit, and why? Would you change anything about that time?

If I could revisit any period of my journey, it would be the moment I was selected for the PhD program at Aga Khan University a tremendous honor and a dream opportunity, especially with the chance to work under the esteemed Professor Zulfiqar Bhutta. At the time, I was eager and motivated, but personal responsibilities and self-doubt held me back. In hindsight, I wish I had focused more on my own path and embraced the challenge with greater self-belief and determination. Completing that PhD would have been a transformative milestone in my career. Though I ultimately had to step away from the program, I hold no regrets only valuable lessons in perseverance and timing. Today, I continue to pursue my academic and professional goals with renewed dedication, determined to make the most of every opportunity that lies ahead.​

Past Alumni Spotlight

​1. Dr Philomena Drago

2. Dr Bashir Hanif

3. Dr Sehreen Khan

4. Dr Naila Baig Ansari

5. Dr Muhammad Asim Khan

6. Dr Azam Jan