AF Karachi Team Interviews Dr. Akram Sultan

Dr. Muhammad Akram Sultan’s contributions extend far beyond his role as a cardiologist. Throughout his distinguished career, he has played a significant role in advancing clinical medicine, public health, medical education, and healthcare administration in Pakistan, particularly in Sindh.

For more than four decades, Dr. Muhammad Akram Sultan has been treating patients suffering from cardiovascular diseases. During this time, he has provided medical care to thousands of patients diagnosed with hypertension, coronary artery disease, heart attacks, heart failure, cardiac arrhythmias, and valvular heart diseases. He has consistently advocated the use of modern diagnostic techniques, including cardiac imaging, echocardiography, angiography, and other advanced cardiology procedures, to improve the diagnosis and treatment of heart diseases.

His services have not been confined to hospitals alone. Dr. Sultan has also made substantial contributions to public health. As Project Director of Sindh’s Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), he played a pivotal role in expanding access to childhood immunization, strengthening vaccination programmes, and raising public awareness about the prevention of life-threatening diseases through immunization.

As Medical Superintendent of Civil Hospital Karachi, he was responsible for managing one of the country’s largest teaching hospitals. He worked to improve patient care, enhance the quality of healthcare services, and strengthen institutional governance and administrative systems. Later, as Director Health for Karachi Division, he played an important role in implementing various government health policies and public health programmes.

Currently, Dr. Akram Sultan serves as a Consultant Cardiologist at Tabba Heart Institute. In 2024, he was appointed Coordinator of the Pakistan Cardiac Society, Karachi Chapter. He actively promotes scientific collaboration among cardiologists and contributes to medical research, scientific conferences, and Continuing Medical Education (CME) programmes.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Akram Sultan headed Sindh’s COVID-19 response. He is also a member of the Health Committee of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) and serves as a Health Advisor to the relevant health body of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

Dr. Muhammad Akram Sultan has consistently emphasized that the prevention of heart disease is as important as its treatment. According to him, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, following a balanced diet, engaging in regular physical activity, avoiding tobacco use, reducing stress, and effectively controlling blood pressure, diabetes, and cholesterol are essential measures for preventing cardiovascular diseases.

Throughout his long professional career, he has mentored numerous young doctors, postgraduate trainees, and students specializing in cardiology. Many physicians trained under his guidance have gone on to become successful cardiologists serving in hospitals across Pakistan.

Speaking about women’s rights and his association with Aurat Foundation, Dr. Akram Sultan said:

“It is a matter of great pride for me to be associated with Aurat Foundation, Pakistan’s largest organization representing women and working for the rights and welfare of nearly half of the country’s population.

Women constitute half of Pakistan’s population. Although laws exist to protect their rights, even women who are aware of these rights are often unable to fully exercise them. Women continue to face discrimination both at home and in the workplace. They contribute professionally while also carrying the primary responsibility for household duties.

Even educated women are frequently deprived of their legitimate rights, while the challenges faced by women in rural areas are even more severe. They often lack effective legal protection, job security, adequate healthcare, and access to quality education and development opportunities for their children.

Ours remains a male-dominated society. At the very least, women should be granted the rights that religion has already bestowed upon them. Gender discrimination has prevented women from realizing their full potential. When half of a country’s population is unable to participate fully in the development process, it inevitably affects the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and overall economic and social progress.”

Dr. Muhammad Akram Sultan believes that women make up half of Pakistan’s population, yet they continue to be deprived of the rights and opportunities guaranteed to them by both the Constitution and religion. According to him, while laws aimed at protecting women already exist, ineffective implementation has prevented the majority of women from enjoying their fundamental rights.

He observed that women not only shoulder household responsibilities but also contribute significantly in offices and various professional sectors. Despite these contributions, they are often denied equal respect, recognition, and workplace facilities. The situation is even more alarming for women working in rural areas, where they lack employment security, access to quality healthcare, and adequate social protection.

Dr. Akram Sultan described gender discrimination as one of the major obstacles to Pakistan’s development. He stressed that unless women are provided equal opportunities in education, healthcare, employment, and decision-making, the country’s overall progress will continue to suffer. He emphasized that women’s economic empowerment is no longer an option but a necessity, enabling them to improve not only their own lives but also the well-being of their families.

Discussing maternal health, he identified pregnancy-related complications, inadequate healthcare facilities, and poor sanitation as major causes of maternal and infant mortality. He stressed that safe motherhood, fully functional labour rooms, family planning services, timely antenatal care, and awareness programmes delivered through Lady Health Workers can significantly improve women’s health outcomes.

Dr. Sultan also emphasized that women’s health extends beyond physical well-being to include mental health. He called for girls to receive accurate information from an early age about nutrition, reproductive health, and family planning so they can make informed decisions throughout their lives.

He further stressed the importance of ensuring women’s access to modern technology, quality education, and economic resources. Financial independence, digital inclusion, safe transportation, and equal employment opportunities, he noted, would enable women to participate in society with greater confidence and contribute more effectively to national development.

According to Dr. Akram Sultan, the government, civil society organizations, educational institutions, and the media must work collectively to raise awareness about women’s rights, health, and empowerment. Such coordinated efforts, he said, are essential for creating a society where women and men enjoy equal opportunities and contribute equally to the country’s progress.

Turning to another major national challenge, Dr. Sultan highlighted Pakistan’s rapidly growing population. He observed that unchecked population growth is placing immense pressure on the country’s resources, healthcare system, education sector, employment opportunities, and economy. In his view, family planning should not be regarded merely as a health issue but as a critical component of national development.

Referring to Bangladesh as an example, he noted that the country once faced similarly high population growth rates but managed to address the issue through effective public policies, women’s education, and family planning initiatives. He suggested that Pakistan adopt similarly practical and evidence-based strategies to mitigate the long-term consequences of rapid population growth.

Dr. Akram Sultan also proposed that policymakers consider population control performance when allocating development funds. He recommended that regions demonstrating effective population management should receive greater development resources as an incentive for positive performance.

He further remarked that Pakistan’s primary challenge is not the absence of laws but the lack of effective implementation. Laws regulating public smoking, sanitation, and various civic matters already exist; however, weak enforcement continues to undermine their intended impact.

Addressing women’s political participation, Dr. Sultan acknowledged that although women are represented in legislative assemblies, many enter through reserved seats. He advocated for increasing women’s participation in direct electoral politics so they can represent their communities more effectively and play a stronger role in addressing societal issues.

Dr. Akram Sultan emphasized that education is not merely about earning degrees; its true purpose is to cultivate awareness, confidence, and character. He observed that if a woman attains higher education but remains unaware of her fundamental rights, then that education has failed to achieve its intended purpose. He stressed the need to raise both boys and girls with values of mutual respect, equality, and shared responsibility from an early age.

According to Dr. Akram Sultan, eliminating domestic violence, harassment, and discriminatory attitudes toward women requires more than legislation. It also demands sustained public awareness, positive changes in social attitudes, and effective institutional support. He emphasized that men must recognize women as equal members of society whose rights deserve respect, as this forms the foundation of a civilized and progressive nation.

Speaking about women’s empowerment, Dr. Muhammad Akram Sultan stated that the government, civil society, and welfare organizations must work together to create meaningful and lasting change. He suggested that Aurat Foundation and other organizations working for women’s rights establish committees at the district level to collaborate with local administrations in addressing women’s issues, providing legal guidance, and raising awareness. He further proposed the formation of representative committees at the Union Council, Town, District, and Divisional levels, supported directly by government institutions.

Dr. Sultan remarked that Pakistan is fortunate to possess abundant natural resources, a large youth population, and a strategically important geographical location. However, he stressed that the country can only fully benefit from these strengths through sustained investment in education, healthcare, and human resource development. Providing women with equal opportunities, he added, would significantly accelerate Pakistan’s social and economic progress.

Discussing the healthcare sector, Dr. Akram Sultan urged the government to increase budgetary allocations for health and education, emphasizing that a healthy and educated population is the cornerstone of sustainable national development. He expressed concern that ordinary patients in public hospitals often struggle to receive timely treatment and essential diagnostic services, while influential individuals receive preferential attention. According to him, equitable access to healthcare is a fundamental right of every citizen.

He noted that following research conducted by Aga Khan University in 2017 and 2018, the Government of Sindh took effective measures to introduce the Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine (TCV), with Provincial Health Minister Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho playing a key role in the initiative. Similarly, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Sindh’s coordinated strategy—including smart lockdowns, travel restrictions, and collaboration among various institutions—proved instrumental in controlling the spread of the virus. Dr. Akram Sultan, who was closely involved in leading Sindh’s COVID-19 operations, stated that timely decisions and collective efforts helped Pakistan maintain a lower mortality rate than many other countries.

Sharing his views on Artificial Intelligence (AI), Dr. Sultan acknowledged its immense potential in medicine, research, and clinical diagnosis. However, he also cautioned about challenges relating to data privacy, misinformation, and cybersecurity. He warned against self-medication based on information obtained through social media or unreliable online sources, advising people to consult qualified medical professionals for all healthcare decisions.

Dr. Akram Sultan also expressed concern over the increasing prevalence of obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and other non-communicable diseases among women. He stressed the importance of adopting balanced diets, engaging in regular physical activity, monitoring body weight, and making healthy lifestyle choices as part of everyday life. In his view, promoting basic health awareness within every household has become an urgent national priority.

Concluding the discussion, Dr. Akram Sultan addressed Pakistan’s youth, particularly young women. He stated that the path to success lies in education, hard work, self-confidence, and economic independence. He encouraged young people to begin working toward their goals without delay, emphasizing that no meaningful achievement comes without consistent effort and perseverance.

He concluded by saying that when women are educated, healthy, and financially empowered, not only do their families prosper, but society as a whole benefits. He also urged the government to strengthen institutions working for women’s welfare so that greater awareness of women’s rights, health, and education can be promoted throughout Pakistan.