You are one of the leading cardiologists in the country. Was being a doctor imposed on you or did you truly aspire to be one when young? It was my childhood dream and the wish of my parents. When I was a child, my father always prayed to Allah during morning prayers to bless me with empathy and passion for humanity. At last, I became a doctor. Tell us about your association with Indus Hospital? I am the co-founder and the chief executive officer at Indus Hospital. Who is that one person you admire the most in the field of philanthropy in Pakistan? What about medicine? Abdul Sattar Edhi was my favourite philanthropist and Dr Adeel Rizvi sahib is my favourite doctor. “When I was a child, my father always prayed to Allah during morning prayers to bless me with empathy and passion for humanity. At last, I became a doctor” What is your vision for Pakistan? I wish to see a Pakistan that is healthy, prosperous, united and progressive. Your work makes you travel far and wide around the world. How does our country compare in the field of cardiology? Why do so many people go abroad for heart check-ups and surgeries if there are skilled doctors like yourself present in the country? We lag behind around 40 percent in medical technology and equipment. It’s the cost of equipment shipping which is extremely high. This expensive import of machines and other medical equipment makes the procedure lengthy and difficult. Hence, it is hard for such advanced tools to be made available locally. This is the sole reason that heart patients prefer being treated outside the country and seek foreign treatment. “There’s a reason why heart patients go abroad for their treatments. We don’t have the necessary advanced medical equipment present in our country as their shipping costs are high” Do you take time out for yourself? What do you enjoy doing in your spare time? Yes, I do. I take long walks in the morning after offering my Fajr prayers. I hardly have any spare time and whatever is left, I like to spend with my family. Which, according to you, has been your biggest achievement to date? Establishing Indus Hospital remains my biggest achievement. What advice would you have given to a young Dr Bari? Keep dreaming big and work harder. We, at Daily Times, consider you one of our national heroes. Who are some of yours? Founder of Pakistan Muhammad Ali Jinnah sahib. He was indeed a true leader. Achievements Free Treatment For All Dr Abdul Bari Khan is not just a leading cardiologist but the CEO and founder of The Indus Hospital, which is a free-of-cost hospital with no cash counter. Medical University Dr Bari has a medical university plan lined up. Professionals will be trained from a very young age. Also, this university would help train doctors and medical professionals according to the qualities which are required at The Indus Hospital. Medical professionals will be trained with excellence so that they are not only employed at TIH but will be sought out by hospitals from all over the country. The student fee for the university will be very low. Doctor Cum Philanthropist Dr Bari played a vital role to help setup Rufaydah Foundation (RF) for people who cannot afford expensive treatments and surgeries. The RF is dedicated to the revival of the glorious Islamic tradition of devotion and services. In realisation of this vision of Islam, RF seeks to establish state-of-the-art tertiary care centre where all poor and needy would avail state-of-the-art medical care free of cost. A Prominent Social Worker Dr Bari has always been involved in social welfare activities. Even as a medical student, he volunteered for the Patients’ Welfare Association (PWA) in DOW Medical College and soon became its focal person for the PWA blood bank.