PROF. S.A. RAZA ALI (1925- 2022): PIONEER OF MEDICINE IN KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA, PAKISTAN

Abstract

Born in Ustarzai Kohat on 30.12.1925, SA Raza Ali was among the founder teachers of our Alma matter Khyber medical college, Peshawar, Pakistan. He did his early schooling in his native village Ustarzai and Fsc from Islamia college Peshawar in 1944. He graduated in 1949 and was declared as the best graduate of King Edward Medical college, Lahore. Dr Raza Ali joined health department in 1950, got merit scholarship for postgraduate studies in 1951 and proceeded to UK.

He got MRCP in year 1953 and returned to Pakistan to serve his homeland to the best of his abilities both academically and professionally. Being man of heart and mind he gained popularity in the province. Tall and handsome, serious but kind, professional with empathy, a fatherly figure was the first professor and head department of medicine Khyber medical college. He twice served Khyber as principal from 1969 to 1971 and then from 1974 to 1980. As principal, he established many departments in the institution which expanded the scope of teaching and learning. He played important role in establishing Khyber teaching hospital, Ayub medical college and Postgraduate Medical Institute Peshawar. His guidance helped in establishment of the infrastructure for health delivery system in our province. Prof Raza was awarded Tamgha- e- imtiaz by Government of Pakistan in 2006. He was physician to the Prime minister of Pakistan and also remained Physician in waiting to the Queen Elizabeth of England in her visit to Pakistan in 1964.

He published several research papers and was the first to report "Brucellosis in men" and Chloroquine resistant malaria in Peshawar. He also worked extensively on "Nutritional Cardiomyopathy".

He has left behind a son and three daughters to mourn him. Prof Raza is reflected in career of his thousands of students serving humanity in different parts of the world. Like Iqbal’s “deedawar”, such men as dear departed Dr Raza, are born once in a century. They work as builders of institutions and human character. Both these roles were accomplished by him with eminent destination. The fragrance of such roses remains long after they have passed away.

He left us for his eternal abode on 1st August 2022. May his soul rest in peace Ameen.