The Right Chamber E23 – A Father’s Legacy, A Surgeon’s Mission

Introduction We sit down with Professor Atiq-ur Rehman, a leading vascular surgeon, medical educator and humanitarian whose remarkable journey beautifully bridges continents, compassion, and community impact. Professor Rehman recounts his path from earning his medical degree in Pakistan to moving to the UK in the early 1990s. He completed advanced surgical training at renowned institutions, including St Mary’s Hospital in London. In 2004, he became a Consultant Vascular Surgeon, marking a major milestone in his career. Alongside his clinical work, he developed a deep passion for teaching and mentorship. He now serves as Director of Medical Education at Russell Hall Hospital. In this role, he continues the educational legacy of his mentor, Mr Ron Grimley. The Charity Hospital A central story in this episode is the Abdul Rehman Memorial Trust, founded in memory of his late father. Through this trust, Professor Rehman helped establish Bewal International Hospital in his hometown in Pakistan. The humanitarian project was inspired by the lack of accessible healthcare he witnessed during his childhood. He mobilised support from diaspora communities across the UK to make this vision a reality. Together, they raised nearly £1 million to build a hospital serving the local community. The hospital provides essential services, including maternity care, emergency treatment, dialysis, and free surgical camps. Through heartfelt reflection, Professor Rehman shares the challenges of sustaining charitable healthcare initiatives. He also celebrates the joy of international collaboration and the power of shared purpose. Ultimately, he believes that being a great doctor begins with being a good human being. Professor Rehman’s story is a powerful reminder that one person’s vision, grounded in empathy and perseverance, can transform entire communities. Links related to this episode Bewal International Hospital – official website – http://www.bewal.com/hospital/ Donate to Abdul Rehman Memorial Trust – https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=QDHR3SMYDE2CC BBC News (Midlands Today) – December 2006 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXgH0J3o154 Ron Grimley Bio – https://www.rguc.co.uk/our-academy/ #bewal #abdulrehmanmemorialtrust #humanitarian #charity #pakistan #accesstohealthcare #community —————— Produced by the RGUC Digital Media Team – https://iclinical.co.uk/digital-media-links Music credit: Kalte Ohren (septahelix remix) by septahelix (c) copyright 2019 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license. https://dig.ccmixter.org/files/septah… Ft: starfrosch