Dr. Sakina Rashid- a profile

In autumn 2003, one of the leading venereologists in the U.K retired from the NHS. Her name is Dr. Sakina Rashid. I requested an interview with her and in her characteristically gentle and organised manner she agreed on a specific time. As she often says " I like things done properly, you know my star sign is Virgo. The interview started with her thoughts about her early childhood.

Sakina was born in Kampala Uganda (East Africa). A beautiful city situated among nine undulating hills. The city enjoyed tropical climate where the temperature ranged between 70-80F throughout the year. Primary and secondary education was extremely enjoyable within a multiracial, multiethnic institution where excellence was well rewarded. It provided me with an opportunity to participate in a wide variety of extra curricular activities such as the ‘debating society’ elocution, cookery and needlework. I was also able to learn many languages and established sound knowledge of different religions, cultural beliefs and faiths. The biggest advantage however was the guidance from loving and devoted parents and help and support from other members of the family.

In the later part of 1950’s, Sakina left Uganda to undertake pre-medical and medical education in India and Pakistan. During her stay in these countries, she travelled to some of the remotest parts of India and Pakistan and learnt about the lack of medical facilities and difficulties experienced by the small villages and the under privileged.

After qualifying MBBS in 1965, Sakina returned to Uganda and worked as a house officer at Mulago Hospital, Kampala, which was affiliated, to the Makerere University.
Medical experience gained Accident and Emergency, Medical and Surgical specialities, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, ENT, Out-Patient Department in Kampala formed the basis of her future career.

Medical Career
"I owe much to three individuals who have played major roles in my medical life."
In Kampala
Sir John Croot, an experienced surgeon, taught me the basics of surgery. I was to encounter his help again when I returned to England and needed the GMC registration to practice. He offered to be my referee and was instrumental in expediting the process.
In Belfast
A good friend and a colleague Mr Peter Smith, based in Belfast persuaded me to come to the UK to train and take the examinations in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. I left Uganda in 1971 for Northern Ireland. Personal tutoring from Peter made possible my success in obtaining the MRCOG in 1972. "I shall always be indebted to him."
Although she returned home in 1972, she unfortunately had to come back to Northern Ireland since Idi Amin decided to expel all the Asians from Uganda. Further progression in Obstetrics and gynaecology seemed unlikely in Northern Ireland and she therefore decided to change from Obstetrics and Gynaecology to Genitourinary Medicine. This required a move to Sheffield.
In Sheffield
"My career took an upward step under the strong guidance of a renowned venereologist- Dr R S Morton, who was based in Sheffield. " He cushioned my career change with great gusto and offered a variety of avenues to pursue within this very specialised field. In Sheffield I met other wonderful colleagues and worked with Dr George Kinghorn who has since been a lifelong friend. Of special mention is the time I spent in Singapore, under the guidance of Dr. Rajan in the department of Dermato-venereology. I learnt a great deal about sexually transmitted diseases in the tropics and management of infections among prostitutes.

Consultant post in northern England
Sakina was appointed as consultant in Genitourinary Medicine in Sunderland, South Tyneside and Newcastle in 1978. She inherited a department, which was in a pre-fabricated building with poor facilities. So she said that her initial objective was to uplift and upgrade the status of the speciality in Sunderland. Quite a feat in those days. Nearly ten years later in 1987, the new premises were complete and the department of GUM in Sunderland was proclaimed to be the best in the north-east of England. Trainees and specialist registrars have always been impressed with not only the outward appearance, but also the true quality of education and training received at this site. "I am extremely fortunate to have some of the most successful trainees under my mentorship who now hold prestigious consultant positions within and outside the northern region."

Travelling fellowships
In 1985 Sakina received a fellowship to travel to European countries - Netherlands, Sweden and Denmark and to evaluate their service provisions for the management of sexually transmitted infections. In 1993 she visited CDC in Atlanta, Georgia after receiving a grant from the Department of Health. This was a valuable experience providing insight into the management of STIs in European countries.

GUM in the north
In the 1990’s, the GUM speciality in the Northern Region enjoyed good networking representing Middlesbrough, Newcastle, Northumberland, South Tyneside and of course Sunderland. Clinical knowledge and experiences were shared and all participants felt part of the regional group. However with the departure of Dr Schofield, the subgroups gradually worked apart following different goals and ambitions. She is pleased that the idea of networking has been re- introduced after fifteen years and hopes that this time it will bring the regional groups together again. “One of the regional consultants also recognised the difficulties encountered by our speciality and proposed that a faculty of Venereology be formed. This could have changed the course of Venereology in the UK. The idea was not accepted at a national level. Now we have chosen to amalgamate MSSVD and AGUM to form BASHH. Those of us who strongly support the specialty are left pondering- where we are going: forward, backward or have we lost our place in time?”

Sakina welcomes her retirement. "My working life allowed little time to pursue other interests. I am now able to enjoy calligraphy, arts and crafts, not to mention the world of Information Technology."

©2004 Sexual Health Matters. Published Quarterly by Express Print Works, Middlesbrough, UK
ISSN 1469-7556
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