Interviews by the students – Prof Dr Nabia Tariq

Students of Shifa College of Medicine started conducting interviews of the Shifa family in collaboration with Humans of Shifa. Stay tuned for further updates and get to know the people that make Shifa shine!

Prof Dr Nabia Tariq

My mother always seemed to have a strong fascination with girls wearing white clothes at the hospital. It was her strong desire to see me wearing one. That made me enter the field of medicine. Despite of challenging circumstances I chose to pursue my professional career and post-graduation after my marriage. Maintaining a balance between my career and family was a daily struggle but I kept going regardless. Wanting a hug from his mother, my one-year old boy used to keep knocking while I continued studying for my post-graduate diploma in Obs/Gynae behind closed doors. Even more challenging was my fellowship with managing three children and my home alongside resident training. I still remember my youngest sitting on lap and saying “Book band!” as he slammed my books shut.

After completing my education in the early 2000’s, I entered Shifa as a young Assistant Professor, thinking that I’m finally a good doctor. However, soon I realized that was far from the truth as at that point I was nothing more than a good mechanic who knew how to mend a malfunctioning body devoid of other aspects of human life. Then the earthquake hit in 2005 and brought with it a tidal wave of sorrow. After digging for 2 days for the bodies of my two sisters and their children we buried, I saw my niece hanging down with only half of her body visible while the rest was buried. One of my sisters and two nieces passed away while another sister and her children were badly injured that day. That was perhaps the most difficult time for me. However, I continued taking care of injured people, carrying medicines and food to all the affected areas still devastated with aftershocks. After this experience when I read the Quran, I realized that all these situations and sufferings were mentioned in the Quran which happen to the past nations as well.

It was then that my area of focus shifted towards empathy and the importance of human connection. In 2016, I moved to the UK for pursue a Masters’ degree in Medical Education where my research focused on exploring empathy in Pakistani medical students. Upon my return to Pakistan and SCM, my research led to introducing a ‘patient-centered module’ (teaching humanities, communication skills, reflective writing and stress management to our students) aimed at enhancement of empathy. I believe, overtime working with seeing patients in pain, misery, life and death situations and other stressful scenarios makes us robotic and immune to the suffering of others. In these circumstances, it therefore becomes crucial to maintain our humanity to survive and thrive in the field.

Taking time out for ourselves and doing what we love is an integral part of achieving this goal. In my free time I choose to wind down and relax with a good book, poetry or watch Pakistani dramas which, at the end of the day, help me fully enjoy my profession and family time. Currently I’m heading the Arts and Culture society at SCM, through which we hold many concerts and dramas. I always tried to think and strive on how my presence could make a difference to my students, my patient, and the place where I’m working, and how to excel. Alhamdulillah, 21 years have passed in Shifa and I’m part of the history of Shifa now, starting from the very first batch, being the part of curriculum changes and Alhamdulillah, at this point, we are better than many places. I believe we are delivering many more things than only teaching students the diagnosis and treatment of the patients. I also have countless good memories with my students, many of whom have become a part of my extended family. I often end up meeting them over tea here in Pakistan and even when I’m travelling abroad.

Creating and maintaining a work life balance is the key to survival. Although I have people to help me around, to this day every morning I make breakfast for my family and make sure we all sit together for dinner. These days the star of my life is my one year old grandson who hugs me as soon as I get home but also clutches my legs with all his might, to stop me when it’s time to leave for work, echoing memories of the past saying, “Book band?” .

In life you should always be prepared to not only face challenges but also bowing down and making compromises. If I have to, I think I’ll attribute my success to maintaining a healthy routine and having the strongest faith in Allah. Ever since I can remember, I start my mornings with the call of Fajr which is not only the most peaceful time to pray but also to study and go for a walk.

The most valuable thing I’ve learned is that in order to be successful you have to have a passion for your profession and a strong conviction in yourself and your beliefs. Struggles and challenges are a part of life and often at times the very thing that makes it worth living.”