Karachi: Dr. Zainab Samad, Chair of the Department of Medicine at Aga Khan University (AKU) and an Adjunct Associate Professor at Duke University, is featured in the Duke Global Health Institute (DGHI) Impact Report 2023-2024 for her transformative contributions to global health. Dr. Samad has played a pivotal role in addressing major health challenges in Pakistan, particularly in the realm of noncommunicable diseases.

According to The Aga Khan University, Dr. Samad’s innovative approaches have significantly influenced health policy and practice in Pakistan. Her leadership at the Health Data Science Center at AKU is particularly noteworthy, where she leverages clinical data to enhance understanding and treatment of diseases like cardiovascular illness, the leading cause of death in the region. In collaboration with DGHI, she initiated a training program in 2018 that equips early-career researchers with tools to combat these health issues effectively.

Dr. Samad’s work goes beyond medical training and data analysis. She emphasizes the importance of continuous and consistent data utilization to improve health outcomes and identify areas needing attention. Facing economic challenges and resource scarcity, she sees these hurdles as opportunities for innovation and is optimistic about the prospects of rapid advancements in health care driven by data and research.

Her global perspective, enriched by her training at Duke University and her deep roots in Pakistan, fuels her commitment to fostering international collaborations that address local and global health challenges. Dr. Samad’s inclusion in the DGHI report not only celebrates her achievements but also underscores the critical impact of her ongoing efforts to improve healthcare systems in Pakistan and beyond.