Waheed Arian

{{short description|British doctor and radiologist (born 1983)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} {{Infobox person | name = Waheed Arian | image =  | alt =  | caption = | birth_name = Waheed Arian | birth_date = {{birth year and age|1983}} | birth_place = | death_date = | death_place = | other_names = | occupation = Medical Doctor, radiologist | years_active = | spouse = Davina Arian | alma_mater = *University of Cambridge  *Harvard Medical School | known_for = Founder of [https://arianteleheal.com/ Arian Teleheal] | notable_works = | awards = * UNESCO Global Hero Award - 2017 * UK Prime Minister's Points of Light Award - 2018 * UN Stop TB Global Ambassador - 2019 | website = [https://arianteleheal.com/ Arian Teleheal] [https://drwaheedarian.com/] }} '''Waheed Arian''' (born 1983) is a British doctor and radiologist, born in Afghanistan, who founded a telemedicine charity called Arian Teleheal.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Arian Teleheal|url=https://arianteleheal.com/|access-date=15 June 2021|website=Arian Teleheal}}</ref> The charity enables doctors in conflict zones and low-resource countries to use their smartphones to receive advice from volunteer specialists in the UK, Canada, the US and other countries. Arian has won several international awards for his achievements, and regularly speaks as an expert in innovation, technology and global health.<ref name="Times">{{cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/dr-waheed-arian-saving-afghan-lives-over-the-phone-dxknlql9s|title=Dr Waheed Arian, saving Afghan lives over the phone|author=Llewellyn Smith, Julia|date=16 October 2017|work=The Times|access-date=30 November 2019}}</ref><ref name="BBC-b0906f54"/>

==Early life== His early childhood was spent during the Soviet-Afghan conflict,<ref name="BBC-37446838"/> his family frequently moving home because of the fighting. His schooling was significantly disrupted as schools were often closed. As the fighting intensified, Arian's parents made the decision to seek safety in Pakistan.<ref name="BBC-37446838"/> His family made a hazardous seven-day mountain crossing, travelling at night to try to avoid Soviet military aircraft.<ref name="BBC-37446838"/> Arian and his father narrowly avoiding being killed during a rocket attack during the crossing. Arian's family eventually reached safety at a Peshawar refugee camp, but conditions were poor and the family of 10 were living in a single room<ref name="BBC-37446838"/> with no running water or electricity. Arian contracted tuberculosis (TB)<ref name="BBC-37446838"/> and malaria, and suffered from malnutrition. He was treated by a volunteer doctor at the camp, who was pivotal in inspiring him to study medicine. Arian's family returned to Kabul following the Soviet withdrawal in 1989. However, the civil war began soon after and, when it intensified in 1999, with Arian aged 15, his parents sent him to safety in the UK, to stay with a distant family friend.<ref name="Times"/><ref name="BBC-b0906f54"/><ref name="Shepherd">{{cite news|author=Shepherd, Jessica|title=Waheed's journey |url=https://www.theguardian.com/education/2007/sep/11/highereducation.students|access-date=30 November 2019|work=The Guardian|date=11 September 2007}}</ref>

==Arrival in the UK and education (1999–2010)== Arian arrived in the UK with US$100 in his pocket, staying with family friends in London initially.<ref name="BBC-37446838"/><ref name="CamLife">{{cite web|url=https://www.cam.ac.uk/thiscambridgelife/waheedarian |title=The doctor using smartphones to save lives in war zones|website=This Cambridge Life|publisher=University of Cambridge|first=Charis|last= Goodyear|date=11 November 2019|access-date= 30 November 2019}}</ref><ref name="CamAudio">[https://soundcloud.com/university-of-cambridge/the-doctor-using-smartphones-to-save-lives-in-war-zones-waheed-arian "The doctor using smartphones to save lives in war zones"] ''This Cambridge Life'' on Soundcloud, 11 November 2019. Retrieved 30 November 2019.</ref> He worked in shops to support himself and send money back to his family. Arian began studying at three separate colleges in the evening. With five AS Levels and then three A Levels, all at A grade, Arian was accepted by the University of Cambridge to study medicine<ref name="BBC-37446838">{{cite web|last1=Clarke |first1=Ged |last2=Jahangir |first2=Rumeana |title=The refugee who treats Afghans via Skype |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-37446838|publisher=BBC News|access-date=30 November 2019|date=25 September 2016}}</ref> at Trinity Hall, but found himself very socially isolated in his two years, his background setting him apart from his fellow students. His main friend was a kitchen porter at the college, with whom he felt he had more in common. Arian subsequently received more support from university and formed links through setting up Afghan and martial arts societies.<ref name="CamLife" />

He graduated from Cambridge in 2006 with a science degree, and went on to finish his clinical studies at Imperial College London, then winning a scholarship to take an elective in surgery at Harvard Medical School in the US in 2008. Arian has subsequently supported work by Cambridge University to encourage greater diversity in student applications.<ref name="CamLife" />

==Humanitarian work and establishing Arian Teleheal== Working as a NHS doctor in London and then Liverpool, Arian was determined to establish a system by which UK-based medics could help doctors in Afghanistan.<ref name="BBC-37446838"/><ref name="BBCWorld">[https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/n3ct1l7p BBC World News: "Waheed Arian"]</ref> He made frequent humanitarian visits to Kabul, Afghanistan, from 2010. In 2014, Arian focused on trying to create safe centres for volunteer medics to stay at in Afghanistan. However, while many were keen to help, they were unwilling to risk travelling to the country. ==Rollout and impact of Arian Teleheal == The number of volunteer doctors with Arian Teleheal grew to 100, and the trust was registered as a charity in England and Wales in 2018.<ref name="CC-1177942">{{cite web|title=Arian Teleheal|url=https://beta.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1177942&subid=0 |publisher=Charity Commission|access-date=30 November 2019}}</ref> The service began supporting the Independent Doctors' Association in Syria, supporting 1.3 million people, both locals and the internally displaced Syrian refugees.<ref name="Times"/><ref name="BBC-b0906f54"/> Arian Teleheal also began consultancy support for organisations including the United Nations, the World Health Organization, NHS England and Health Education England, supporting work with South Sudanese refugees (as part of the West Nile Consortium) in Uganda as well as supporting work in South Africa and Yemen.<ref name="Times"/><ref name="BBC-b0906f54"/>

An audit by the Afghanistan Ministry of Public Health found that, between 2016 and 2019, the advice given by Arian Teleheal volunteer medics had helped local doctors save 686 lives out of 779 life-threatening situations, a success rate of 88%.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=government-appreciation-letter-for-work-2016-201|url=https://arianteleheal.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/government-appreciation-letter-for-work-2016-2019.pdf|access-date=15 June 2021|website=Arian Teleheal}}</ref>

With the development of the COVID-19 pandemic,<ref>{{Cite web|title=A Timeline of COVID-19 Developments in 2020|url=https://www.ajmc.com/view/a-timeline-of-covid19-developments-in-2020|access-date=15 June 2021|website=AJMC}}</ref> Arian Teleheal's focus switched to supporting local medics in treating patients, including developing guidance for clinical use and advising on the mental health impact of the pandemic, with the Afghan Ministry of Public Health acknowledging this contribution in a letter of thanks.<ref name=":0" />

== Autobiography == Arian's autobiography, ''In the Wars'', was published by Penguin on 17 June 2021<ref>{{Cite web|title=Waheed Arian|url=https://www.penguin.co.uk/authors/1086393/waheed-arian.html|access-date=15 June 2021|website=Penguin}}</ref> with testimonials for the book being provided by Stephen Fry, Khaled Hosseini, John Simpson and Filippo Grandi, the United Nationals High Commissioner for Refugees.

== Awards and recognition == Arian has won a number of awards for his innovation and humanitarian work, including: *UN Stop TB Global Ambassador 2019<ref name="StopTB">{{cite web|title=Taking TB to the Stars|url=http://www.stoptb.org/news/stories/2018/ns18_068.asp|website=StopTB.org|access-date=30 November 2019}}</ref> *Rotary International Peace Award 2018<ref name="Rotary">{{cite web|title=Smartphone doctor wins Rotary Peace Award - Rotary Magazine|url=https://www.rotarygbi.org/magazine/october-november-2018/smartphone-doctor-wins-rotary-peace-award/ |website=Rotary in Great Britain and Ireland|first=Molly|last= Youd|date=1 October 2018|access-date=30 November 2019}}</ref> *UK Prime Minister's Points of Light Award 2018<ref>{{Cite web|title=Arian Teleheal|url=https://www.pointsoflight.gov.uk/arian-teleheal/|access-date=15 June 2021|website=Points of Light}}</ref> *UNESCO Global Hero Award 2017. Arian was the first UK citizen to win this award<ref name="BBC-41322508">{{cite news|title=Refugee doctor's award for saving lives|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-41322508|publisher=BBC Merseyside|access-date=30 November 2019|date=19 September 2017}}</ref> *UN Global Goals Goalkeeper 2017<ref name="TGG">{{cite web|title=Goalkeepers|url=https://www.globalgoals.org/goalkeepers|website=The Global Goals|access-date=30 November 2019|archive-date=3 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403102617/https://www.globalgoals.org/goalkeepers}}</ref> *Inclusion in MIMS Top 5 Philanthropic Doctors 2017<ref name="MIMS">{{cite web|title=5 philanthropic doctors who go the extra mile for patients|url=https://today.mims.com/5-philanthropic-doctors-who-go-the-extra-mile-for-patients|website=MIMS News|author=Teo Jun Hong|date=11 January 2017|access-date=30 November 2019}}</ref> *Recognition as telemedicine pioneer by the ''British Medical Journal'' 2016<ref name="BMJPG">{{cite journal|title=Waheed Arian: Telemedicine pioneer|journal=BMJ|publisher=British Medical Journal Publishing Group|article-number=i6143|doi=10.1136/bmj.i6143|pmid=27881364|date=23 November 2016|volume=355|s2cid=10602073}}</ref> *Commendation from the President of Afghanistan in 2016<ref name="Yarwood">{{cite news|author=Yarwood, Sam|title=Manchester doctor honoured by Afghan president for life-saving internet training work|url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/waheed-arian-doctor-afghanistan-honour-10670042|work=Manchester Evening News|access-date=30 November 2019|date=31 December 2015}}</ref> *Highly Commended Rising Star award by the ''Health Service Journal'' in 2016<ref name="HSJ-2016">{{cite web|title=HSJ Awards 2016: Rising star|url=https://www.hsj.co.uk/the-hsj-awards/hsj-awards-2016-rising-star/7013521.article|website=Health Service Journal|date=23 November 2016|access-date=30 November 2019}}</ref>

Arian was appointed as a NHS England Clinical Entrepreneur in 2017 and subsequently given the mentor and lecturer role on the National Programme in 2018.<ref>[https://www.england.nhs.uk/ourwork/innovation/clinical-entrepreneur/ NHS England: Clinical entrepreneur training programme]</ref> He was among staff chosen to attend the Prime Minister's reception to mark the 70th anniversary of the NHS in 2018<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/pm-speech-at-nhs-70-reception-4-july-2018|title=PM speech at NHS 70 reception: 4 July 2018|website=Gov.uk|date=5 July 2018|access-date=30 November 2019}}</ref>

==Speaking and presentations== Arian has become a regular speaker at national and international conferences and events, discussing innovation and technology through the creation and success of Arian Teleheal, as well as how he overcame the challenges which he has faced in his life. Events include: *COGX 2019, Europe's largest festival of AI and emerging technology, representing the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation<ref name="CogX">{{cite web|title=Dr Waheed Arian|url=https://cogx.co/speakers/dr-waheed-arian/|website=CogX 2019|access-date=30 November 2019}}</ref> *Global Scholars Symposium at Oxford University 2019<ref name="GSS2019">{{cite web|title=GSS 2019 |url=https://gss2019.weebly.com/|website=GSS 2019|access-date=30 November 2019}}</ref> *The United Nations General Assembly High Level Meeting on TB 2018<ref name="StopTB"/> *World Extreme Medicine Conference 2018<ref name="IWM2019">{{cite web|title=Medical Conference 2019 |url=https://extrememedicineexpo.com/|website=International World Extreme Medicine Conference & Expo {{!}} Extreme Medicine Conference Series|access-date=30 November 2019}}</ref> *TEDxRoma 2018<ref name="TXR">{{cite web|title=Waheed Arian|url=https://www.tedxroma.com/en/portfolio-items/waheed-arian|website=TedX Roma|access-date=30 November 2019}}</ref> *The UN Global Goals in partnership with Gates Foundation Goalkeepers event in 2017, where Arian was also featured as a thought leader in conference video<ref name="TGG"/> *UNESCO's Global Hope Coalition event in 2017<ref name="BBC-41322508"/> *The Royal College of Radiologists Conference 2017<ref name="RCR-2017">{{cite web|title=Using telemedicine to reduce global healthcare inequality and promote peace|publisher=The Royal College of Radiologists|url=https://videos.rcr.ac.uk/video/using-telemedicine-to-reduce-global-healthcare-inequality-and-promote-peace |access-date=30 November 2019}}</ref> *The first TEDxNHS in 2016<ref name="TEDxNHS">{{cite web|title=TEDxNHS|url=https://www.ted.com/tedx/events/19991|publisher=TED|access-date=30 November 2019}}</ref> *The Tech4Good event at Google London in 2016<ref>{{Cite web|title=Dr Waheed Arian Speaking|url=https://drwaheedarian.com/speaking/|access-date=15 June 2021|website=Dr Waheed Arian}}</ref>

==Career== Following his graduation as a medical doctor in 2010, Arian completed Foundation Training from 2010 to 2012 and then Core Surgery Training (Trust Grade) from 2012 to 2014. He did clinical radiology registrar training from 2014 to 2019<ref>{{Cite web|title=Aintree Doctors Life Saving Scheme Is Rolled Out|url=https://www.aintreehospital.nhs.uk/|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210616043152/https://www.aintreehospital.nhs.uk/|archive-date=16 June 2021|website=Aintree Hospital|access-date=15 June 2021}}</ref><ref name="AHNHST">{{cite web|date=18 February 2016|title=Llangollen eisteddfod celebrates highest evercontribution from friends|url=https://www.shropshirestar.com/entertainment/music/2018/07/07/llangollen-eisteddfod-celebrates-highest-ever-contribution-from-friends/|access-date=15 June 2021|website=Shropshire Star|publisher=}}</ref> while also working as a senior emergency medicine doctor. Arian continues to work as an emergency medicine doctor in the NHS<ref name="Times"/><ref name="BBC-b0906f54"/>

During his postgraduate medical training, Arian has led and contributed to numerous projects in clinical audit and research, which he has presented in medical conferences and published in scientific journals<ref>{{cite journal|author=Waheed Mustafa|author2=Sami U. Khan|author3=Qaiser Malik|author4=Lakshmi Kanagarajah|author5=Bhavin Upadhyay|year=2012|title=Computed-tomography (CT) answers 6 vital questions before thrombolysis therapy in acute brain-ischaemia|journal=Clinical Radiology|volume=67|issue=12|doi=10.1016/j.crad.2012.06.026|issn=0009-9260|page=S6}}</ref>)

==Media== Arian's story has been widely covered in the media, including a 30-minute BBC World documentary by John Simpson, called ''Waheed's Wars: Saving Lives Across the World'', first broadcast in August 2017.<ref name="BBC-b0906f54">{{cite web |title=Waheed's Wars - Saving Lives Across the World |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0906f54 |publisher=BBC Television |date=28 August 2017|access-date=20 August 2019}}</ref> This was followed by a 30-minute radio documentary for the BBC World Service called ''Afghanistan Calling''.<ref name="BBC-w3cswcqf">{{cite web|title=The Documentary, Afghanistan Calling |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w3cswcqf|publisher=BBC World Service|date=14 December 2017|access-date=30 November 2019}}</ref> The documentaries also covered Arian performing world's first augmented reality international telemedicine consultation using Microsoft HoloLens.

Arian has been interviewed by BBC Breakfast, ITN<ref>{{Cite web|title=Technology Treating Patients Abroad|url=https://www.itv.com/news/granada/update/2016-01-06/technology-treating-patients-abroad/|date=6 January 2016|access-date=15 June 2021|website=ITN}}</ref> and Channel 5 news,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Doctor saves lives in Syria using his smartphone|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_efW3TQkZ8|date=17 October 2017|access-date=15 June 2021|via=YouTube}}</ref> and is a regular interviewee on BBC World and BBC Pashtu, Dari and Persian.<ref>{{Cite web|title=2018 Rotary Peace Award - Dr Waheed Arian on BBC Breakfast|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZm4VKrKmyQ|date=13 August 2018|access-date=15 June 2021|via=YouTube}}</ref> UK national newspapers including ''The Times''<ref name="Times" /> have featured his story, and there has been significant coverage by regional media in North West England<ref>{{Cite web|title=Manchester doctor honoured by Afghan president for life-saving internet training work|url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/waheed-arian-doctor-afghanistan-honour-10670042|first=Sam|last= Yarwood|date=31 December 2015|access-date=15 June 2021|website=Manchester Evening News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Meet the Afghan refugee who became a top Liverpool doctor and is now saving dozens of lives back home|url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/meet-afghan-refugee-who-became-10711193|access-date=15 June 2021|first=Joshua|last= Taylor|website=Liverpool Echo|date=10 January 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Show your support for the amazing NHS heroes we wouldn't manage without|url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/show-your-support-amazing-nhs-17955019|first=Laura|last= Davis|date=20 March 2020|access-date=15 June 2021|website=Liverpool Echo}}</ref> International media coverage includes Voice of America,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Teleheal|url=https://www.facebook.com/ArianTELEHEAL/posts/in-interview-with-voice-of-america-voa-pashto-tv-in-new-york-our-founder-dr-wahe/2208765602501150/|access-date=15 June 2021|website=Facebook}}</ref> ''HuffPost''<ref>{{Cite web|title=Dr Waheed Arian|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/author/dr-waheed-arian|access-date=15 June 2021|website=Huffington Post}}</ref> and ''The Times of India''. Specialist coverage of Arian's achievements includes the ''British Medical Journal'' and the ''Royal College of Radiologists Newsletter''.

In October 2022, Arian appeared on BBC Radio 4's ''Desert Island Discs''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001cp20|title=Dr Waheed Arian, doctor|website=Desert Island Discs|publisher=BBC Radio 4|date=2 October 2022|access-date=7 October 2022}}</ref>

==Family== Arian is married to Davina,<ref name="BBC-w3cswcqf"/> a model.<ref name="BBC-37446838"/> They live in Chester, England.<ref name="BBC-37446838"/>

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== *[https://arianteleheal.com/dr-arian/ Biography at Tele-Heal] *https://drwaheedarian.com/

{{DEFAULTSORT:Arian, Waheed}} Category:1983 births Category:21st-century British medical doctors Category:Afghan emigrants to England Category:Afghan expatriates in Pakistan Category:Afghan medical doctors Category:Alumni of Imperial College London Category:Alumni of Trinity Hall, Cambridge Category:British radiologists Category:Living people Category:People from Chester Category:People from Kabul