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Dear HOPE Friends,
Pakistan Radio 105's Shireen Akhtar Features HOPE Physicians Dr. Rehana, Dr. Abida, and Dr. Shagufta for International Women's Day
https://youtu.be/fzdqr6FHkaI
On March 4, 2025, Pakistan Radio 105 Host Shireen Akhtar interviewed Dr. Rehana Yasmeen and Dr. Shagufta Khan, both loyal HOPE physicians who have dedicated their careers to bringing healthcare to the most downtrodden urban slum neighborhoods in Karachi, Pakistan. Unfortunately, Dr. Abida Raza was unable to attend this event due to emergency cataract surgery, however we wish to include her contributions as she is a vital component of our team.
In a recent podcast, Ms. Akhtar featured HOPE's very own Dr. Rehana and Dr. Shagufta as part of Radio 105's effort to celebrate the achievements of women. In a male-dominated country such as Pakistan, the contributions of women can often be overlooked or diminished due to the biases of media narratives or cultural traditions. And more often than not, opportunities for women to rise above and leave behind a fulfilling legacy are significantly hampered as compared to their male counterparts.
At HOPE, we are proud of the fact that our most dynamic leaders are women, and that the poverty alleviation work centers on uplifting women and children and recognizing their potential. In fact, HOPE was founded in 1997 by Dr. Mubina Agboatwalla, then a medical student at DOW University in Karachi Pakistan. 28 years ago, what began as humble dream to bring healthcare to marginalized communities Pakistan has transformed into a nationwide movement encompassing a broad array of tried and true poverty alleviation avenues: Healthcare, Education, Vocational Training, Clean Water, Food Security, Disaster Relief, Ramadan Outreach, and Qurbani.
Amongst our cherished medical staff are Dr. Rehana Yaseen, Dr. Abida Raza, and Dr. Shagufta Khan. For this interview, Dr. Shagufta filled in for Dr. Abida who was not able to attend due to emergency cataract surgery:
- Dr. Rehana has been an invaluable physician with HOPE for the past 15 years. As our supervising Head Obstetrician-Gynecologist, Dr. Rehana's expertise constitutes a critical component of our efforts to reduce Maternal and Infant Mortality within Pakistan. Over the years, Dr. Rehana has been an active presence in HOPE's Hospitals and Maternal and Child Health Centers. On a daily basis, she conducts prenatal visits, normal and cesarean deliveries, neonatal care, and life-saving surgeries for women experiencing severe labor complications. Amongst her many distinctions, she performed HOPE's first laparoscopic surgery - a life-saving procedure for an 18 year old with a potentially cancerous ovarian cyst.
- Equally so, Dr. Abida has been a pivotal force in HOPE's largest Hospital in Karachi. As a Pediatrician and Administrator at HOPE's Zia Colony Hospital, Dr. Abida is responsible for managing and treating an assortment of medical emergencies that routinely come through Zia Colony's 24/7 facility. These include women in labor, traffic accidents, respiratory cases, gastrointestinal cases, cardiac emergencies, and life-saving surgeries. Patients often remark how Dr. Abida treats them with compassion and care and that their experience at HOPE feels like they are being taken care of as if they are part of the family.
- Dr. Shagufta is HOPE Gurumandir's Hospital's Administrator, an accomplished physician with 42 years of experience. As a senior physician, she oversees HOPE's Gurumandir Hospital and her expertise is women's care. HOPE Gurumandir has a labor and delivery room, cesarean section facilities, 24 hour emergency unit, surgery facilities, and outpatient services. Dr. Shagufta has dedicated many years towards managing patient care and treating various critical cases which come through Gurumandir Hospital. She plays a vital role in ensuring the welfare of women who suffer complications during pregnancy and/or labor.
We are excited and humbled that Ms. Akhtar featured a couple of HOPE's formidable female forces to be featured on Radio 105's interview for International Women's Day. The most heartwarming aspect of Dr. Rehana, Dr. Abida, and Dr. Shagufta's careers is that they have especially dedicated their expertise to helping those who have no voice. By providing quality healthcare to the needy and treating them with dignity and respect, they are directly working on the ground to break the tenacious cycle of poverty. HOPE is honored to have them as part of our loyal team which has banded together for decades to bring a vision to life.
We hope you will join us in commemorating the achievements of Dr. Rehana, Dr. Abida, and Dr. Shagufta along with Radio 105's, Ms. Akhtar.
Much gratitude to Radio 105 for their gracious appreciation of HOPE's efforts to help the needy.
Warm regards,
The HOPE USA, HOPE UK, and HOPE Pakistan Teams
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