26 Years in Medicine: What’s Changed, What Hasn’t, and What Needs to

Where will healthcare be 26 years from now?” If you’d asked me that question on the day I graduated as a medical doctor 26 years ago, I might have spoken with hope about big advancements in diagnostics, mental health care, and better access for all. Today, as I reflect on my journey across clinical practice, medical teaching, mental health, and leadership, I see a system that’s made incredible strides but still has miles to go.

Here’s a look back at the last quarter-century, through the eyes of a doctor who’s been both on the frontlines and behind the scenes.

1. Clinical Practice: The Art of Patient Care in a Fast-Paced World

When I began my career in clinical practice at Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, the focus was on face-to-face, human-centered patient care. Technology was just beginning to enter healthcare in meaningful ways. Today, as an on-call physician and counselor, I use online platforms to reach more patients than ever before. It’s expanded access and convenience but has also introduced new challenges.

The trade-off? While technology enhances our capabilities, it also risks fragmenting the patient-practitioner relationship. Virtual care is convenient, but it’s not always a substitute for the human connection that healing often requires. To bring back the “care” in healthcare, we need to keep patient relationships at the core, even as tech advances around us.

2. Mental Health: A Quiet Revolution, Still Waiting for Its Moment

Mental health care has come a long way in public awareness but often still feels like the underdog of the medical world. During my time as Executive Director at The Recovery House for Caravan of Life Pakistan Trust, I saw a powerful shift in how mental health was being recognized. But recognition doesn’t always lead to resources.

Mental health practitioners, including those working with conditions like OCD, often face shortages in funding and staff, leaving both patients and providers underserved. Despite rising awareness, mental health is still stigmatized, and many institutions struggle to integrate it fully into patient care.

The reality? Until mental health is prioritized at the policy and resource level, we’re doing a disservice to patients and practitioners alike. It’s time we invest in a system where mental health care is as accessible and valued as physical health care.

3. Education for the Next Generation: Teaching Doctors More than Medicine

Teaching has been a rewarding part of my journey. Whether instructing at Aga Khan University or Hamdard University, I’ve seen firsthand the importance of preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals. But the healthcare landscape is far more complex now than it was 26 years ago, and our training systems haven’t kept up.

While students today have access to vast amounts of information, many programs still lack practical training in key areas like patient-centered care, mental health integration, and decision-making under pressure. Training doctors well goes beyond just giving them technical skills—it’s about nurturing empathy, adaptability, and resilience.

The gap? Medical education must evolve to prepare doctors who are not only clinically competent but also compassionate, adaptable, and ready to tackle modern-day challenges.

4. Healthcare Leadership: Transforming Systems, One Policy at a Time

Leadership roles, from my time as Head of Operations at Khud Muhafiz to Director of Operations for The Modern Hospital Network, have shown me the power of systems to both empower and limit effective healthcare. Across these roles, I saw how structural inefficiencies can ripple out to affect care, from staff burnout to patient experience.

In mental health especially, I’ve witnessed the toll that institutional limitations can take. Practitioners often lack access to the support they need, leading to burnout—a problem that directly impacts the quality of care they can provide. Organizational systems must focus not only on patient outcomes but on creating an environment that supports the wellbeing of healthcare providers.

The call to action? Healthcare leadership must prioritize support systems for both patients and practitioners. Burnout is more than an individual issue; it’s an institutional one that requires structural solutions.

5. The Future of Healthcare: A Patient-Centered, Technology-Enhanced Model

As I look toward the future, I’m cautiously optimistic. My recent experience in online counseling and virtual health consultations has shown me the potential of remote models to improve access, especially for mental health services. But if there’s one takeaway from my 26 years, it’s that technology must serve, not replace, the human element of care.

The vision? A healthcare system that combines cutting-edge technology with the timeless values of compassion and connection, creating a future where every patient feels seen and supported.

Closing Thoughts

The past 26 years have been a journey of growth, both for me and for the healthcare system. Yet the essential goal remains: to deliver healthcare that is compassionate, holistic, and accessible to all. There’s still much work to be done, but I’m hopeful that with the right focus, we can create a system that not only heals but truly cares.

Thank you for reading—and here’s to building a better healthcare future, together.