Dr. Salma Kayani was a practicing OB/GYN in London when she noticed that a significant number of her patients were travelers from the Middle East, and in particular Kuwait. She developed a strong empathy for her patients, who faced difficulties in the unfamiliar environment including language barriers and loneliness in a time when they need family support the most. When asked why they made the trip, they told her they wanted evidence-based care and specialized surgery not available in Kuwait at the time.

“In particular they wanted a female gynecologist for their gynecological keyhole surgery, which even in the UK was almost impossible to find,” Dr. Kayani told bazaar.

Gynae keyhole surgery, is known as laparoscopic surgery in the medical profession. This procedure uses a small telescope (laparoscope) inserted just under the belly button to look inside the patient’s abdomen. The telescope is attached to a miniature camera, which transmits the video images on to a high-resolution color monitor. With only a 5mm incision it is referred to as minimally invasive surgery or minimal access surgery. It allows the surgeon the ability to perform a procedure without leaving unsightly scars in the bikini line. In the United Kingdom, Dr. Kayani is the only person in the country with the title of Advanced Minimal Access Surgeon in Excisional Benign Gynecology.

Today, she treats patients locally from the comfort of their hometown and with the amazing technology available at Taiba Hospital, which is only available in a few of the leading hospitals in the US and UK. In her time here she has identified some pressing issues about medical assistance, particularly that which effects women’s health. Most important, she says, is awareness. Dr. Kayani is currently working with Taiba to provide as much information as possible to each patient through leaflets about different conditions, printouts and web addresses of international guidelines, and most important, communication with the patient.

“The bottom line is that the doctor should be able to explain to the patient in a very clear way what the problem is, explain the treatment options in simple language and be able to answer any questions which women have about their conditions,“ she said.

Dr. Kayani says the field is also limited by a lack of specialized physicians and minimal push for continued education in their fields. Since completing her five-year master’s degree she has undergone special training in the management of pelvic pain in women and extensive training in the debilitating condition endometriosis (when tissue that normally lines the inside of your uterus grows outside of it). She continues to publish research papers in prestigious international medical journals, speak at international meetings and conferences, and train consultants and junior doctors in keyhole surgery. She also specializes in high-risk obstetrics and is an international expert in vaginal birth after a previous caesarean section.

“I can see the patient during her pregnancy and give her an expected percentage of her chance of a normal delivery,” she said. “If I am attending, a woman’s chance of having a normal delivery after caesarean section is about 85-90%. I have successfully delivered women normally even after previous two caesarean sections at Taiba Hospital.”

Her incredible experience, up-to-date information, and evidence based diagnostics make Dr. Kayani a reliable and comforting professional in what could sometimes be distressing situations. She does caution that women of all ages should visit their OB/GYN at least once a year for checkups, proper vaccinations and screenings. Women attempting to get pregnant should focus on their diet, avoid unhealthy habits like smoking and take folic acid supplements to ensure healthy pregnancies.

When the time comes for you to bring your newest family member into your life, Taiba is there. State-of-the-art equipment and excellent luxury packages that include special dietitian consultation, postnatal exercises with a physiotherapist are all available for their patient. Most comforting though is the fact that doctors like Dr. Kayani are there to help you through thick and thin with all of the information required, and a personalized care, special to the hospital.

To book an appointment with Dr. Kayani call Taiba Hospital on 180 8088. For more information visit www.taibahospital.com , check out their Facebook: TaibaHospitalQ8, or follow them on Instagram and Twitter.