KARACHI (TNS) KARACHIDr Shah was entrusted with the task of establishing a new Gynaecology Unit at JPMC, a facility that had remained largely non-functional since 2013. After serving at Aga Khan University Hospital for 15 years, she took on the challenge of developing the unit with limited specialist manpower and a modest budget.
She became the founding Head of the Department at the Prof. Shireen Bhutta Centre of Excellence for Women’s Health and Research. Through dedicated leadership, teamwork and academic focus, the unit has gained national and international recognition.
The department has also secured an international research collaboration with a Canadian university, with research funding of up to US$40,000.
Unit 9B achieved accreditation within the shortest possible period of three years for FCPS, MRCOG and MCPS training, as well as second fellowships in Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Gynaecological Oncology. Currently, 39 FCPS, MCPS and MRCOG trainees are working under Dr Shah’s direct supervision.For the first time at JPMC, several specialised services were introduced, including a Menopause Clinic, Early Assessment Unit and Adolescent Health Clinic.Dr Shah has also played an important role in introducing IVF/ICSI services at a public-sector university hospital, utilising her specialised training in Germany.
As the focal person for family planning in tertiary-care hospitals, Dr Shah has been actively involved in capacity building and7 ensuring access to contraception, particularly for women at critical stages of their reproductive health. An Autaq for male contraception has also been established at JPMC, while a dedicated family-planning cubicle has been established alongside the Labour Room to provide round-the-clock services.
As Secretary General of the Maternal Mortality Task Force Sindh, Dr Shah was instrumental in facilitating an MoU with NICVD for the management and care of pregnant women with cardiac conditions.
Her work reflects a strong commitment to improving maternal and reproductive healthcare, strengthening postgraduate medical education, promoting research and expanding specialised services for women.
The guiding vision of her team remains: No mother should die while giving birth.
Maa Rahe Salamat
