2023 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 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 Sciences and Secretary of the Environmental Neurology speciality group (ENSG) and member global policy committee for WSO and was recently elected as fellow of the world academy of sciences (TWAS).

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 and teaching courses during the Asian Oceanian Association of Neurology conferences, Asian Pacific Stroke Conference, and World Congress of Neurology.

I established 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. Currently, I am leading an initiative to establish OIC neurology academy to promote neurological acre and training in developing Islamic countries. Recently, I have been appointed as Chair, specialty groups committee by WFN president. As secretary of environmental Neurology specialty group (ENSRG) I have organized many educational and awareness activities related to environment and neurological diseases.

I have trained more than fifty neurologists under my supervision. I have published more than 238 papers in peer-reviewed medical journals with impressive publications metrics (IF: 676; citations=6700, H- index 39 and I10 index 95). 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 29 research and training grants (intramural and extra mural) as PI and co-PI. I have been an invited speaker at more than 130 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 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 an expert in stroke from south Asia, active role in world federation of neurology and world stroke organization I could be a useful member of this global task force.