2022 Elections: Candidate Statement for WFN Elected Trustee

Mohammad Wasay

I am currently Alicharan endowed Professor of Neurology at Aga Khan University Karachi, Past President—Pakistan Society of Neurology and Pakistan stroke Society, President, Neurology Awareness and Research Foundation, Editor—Pakistan Journal of Neurological sciences, Chief Editor—Jahan e Aasab (Neurology public awareness magazine), and Distinguished scholar COMSTECH (OIC). I have also served as a Director of World Stroke Organization (WSO) and currently serving as Fellow of Pakistan Academy of Medical Sciences and Pakistan Academy of Sciences and Secretary of the Environmental Neurology speciality group (ENSG) of WFN.

I have worked with WFN for more than a decade as an active neurology advocate and researcher from South Asia. I was trained at Palatucci forum and then received Advocacy leader of the year Award by American Academy of Neurology for my global advocacy contributions. I served as chair, World Federation of Neurology Advocacy Committee for four years. This committee was instrumental in starting and organizing World Brain Day activities and promoting brain health across the globe. We organized many advocacy workshops during the Asian Oceanian Association of Neurology conferences, Asian Pacific Stroke Conference, and World Congress of Neurology.

We are working at Aga Khan University to establish a network of neurology training and research in Kenya, Tanzania, Afghanistan, and Central Asia. We established Asian stroke network with more than 20 centers in 10 Asian countries. This network has published many multicenter and multinational studies related to stroke in young and Asian women, stroke in pregnancy, and cerebral venous thrombosis in Asia. Currently, I am leading an initiative to establish OIC neurology academy to promote neurological care and training in developing Islamic countries. Recently, I have been appointed as Chair, specialty groups committee by WFN president.

I have trained more than forty-eight neurologists under my supervision. I have published more than 200 papers in peer-reviewed medical journals with impressive publications metrics (IF: 576; citations=5300, H- index 33 and I10 index 85) for a clinical neurologist in a developing third world country. I have received many awards including the Teachers Recognition Award by American Academy of Neurology, Gold medal by Pakistan academy of medical sciences, gold medal by Pakistan Academy of Sciences and Research productivity awards by Pakistan council of Science and Technology. I have received 27 research and training grants (intramural and extra mural) as PI and co-PI. I have been an invited speaker at more than 120 conferences in 73 countries.

The growing burden of neurological diseases in the world has established WFN as an important stakeholder in global health. WHO has recently approved an intersectoral action plan for promotion of neurological care, training, and advocacy across the globe. We plan to promote brain health as a top agenda for WHO and United Nations. There is an inequity in neurology training and care across globe. South Asia, Central Asia, and Africa should be a center point for our future interventions. As a trustee, I could play a valuable role in promoting both agendas. Our advocacy committee and ENSG could play an important role in establishing WFN as a key player in global health.