Interviewee: Associate Prof Waseem Akhter
1. Considering your entire time as a paediatric radiologist at your organization, can you recall a time (any AHAA moment) when you felt most alive or most excited about your involvement in the organization?
All my time spent at AKU is worth narrating, either it is as resident working under supervision or supervising new generation or growing my department as leading academic center in the country. However, the most AHAA moments were when I worked with the AKU multi-disciplinary team in villages to train midwives about basic ultrasound to improve maternal and neonatal outcomes and the results were promising. It is one of the best examples where radiology can be incorporated at community level for betterment of society especially in resource poor country.
2. Please briefly share your initial phase of journey i.e., from medical graduate to consultant.
Immediately after my house job and FCPS-1, I was fortunate to get selected as a resident at AKU in 2001. I was so naïve to radiology that for the first time I saw fluoroscopic machine at AKU, thanks to residency program and AKU who made me what I am today. University is very supportive, I was encouraged to excel not only as a clinician but also as a researcher, I got selected in clinical scholar program in 2007 and did diploma in clinical epidemiology and biostatistics which groomed and opened my new avenues of academic radiology career in Pakistan. I enjoy being an academic pediatric radiologist at AKU.
3. Let's consider for a moment the things you value deeply. Specifically, the things you value about yourself and the nature of your work, what is the single most important thing your work has contributed to your life?
Teamwork, discipline, and desire to learn new things. But most important thing which I acquired is “How I can help or do value addition to my patients and colleagues."
4. As a senior paediatric radiologist of the country, please share your experience of development of paediatric radiology practices in Pakistan and its future in next 10 years.
We pioneered the introduction of this 'subspecialty' in Pakistan, setting the stage for others to follow suit. Our vision extends further, aspiring to launch the first pediatric radiology fellowship program in the country. This program aims to establish a formal academic foundation for this specialized field, contributing significantly to its growth and recognition.
5. As a senior paediatric radiologist of the country, please share your experience of development of paediatric radiology practices in Pakistan and its future in next 10 years.
We pioneered the introduction of this 'subspecialty' in Pakistan, setting the stage for others to follow suit. Our vision extends further, aspiring to launch the first pediatric radiology fellowship program in the country. This program aims to establish a formal academic foundation for this specialized field, contributing significantly to its growth and recognition.
