The Right Chamber E14 – Through my eyes: a surgeon’s global journey

In this inspiring episode, we meet Mr Babar Elahi, an accomplished eye surgeon and the current Chief of Surgery for Women and Children at The Dudley Group. Babar shares the compelling story of his journey from Pakistan to the UK, detailing the challenges, pivots, and perseverance that shaped his career in ophthalmology. Starting his education in a prestigious military boarding school in Pakistan, Babar’s discipline and academic focus carried him through medical school, where he developed a clear passion for eye surgery early on. While many of his peers moved to the U.S., Babar pursued the UK’s focused ophthalmology training system. His path included stops in Malaysia and Pakistan before finally settling in the UK, where he eventually achieved his goal of becoming a consultant ophthalmologist. Babar delves into the realities faced by international medical graduates, including the hurdles of medical licensing exams and the long road to consultant posts. Through each stage—from SHO roles in Wakefield to advanced glaucoma fellowships in Oxford—his story is a testament to resilience, adaptability, and a love for the journey itself. Beyond clinical work, Babar took on leadership roles, driven by a desire to keep evolving. His curiosity and drive led him into management, where he’s now helping shape services across surgical and paediatric departments. This episode is rich with insight for medical professionals, aspiring leaders, and anyone navigating career growth across borders. Babar’s story proves that while the destination matters, the journey holds the real transformation. #podcast #meded #nhs #careeradvice #residentdoctors