Transforming Perioperative Care in Pakistan Through AORN: A Journey of Advocacy, Education, and Change

I embarked on my journey in the perioperative world in 1992, founding A.M. Distributors in Karachi, Pakistan. From the very beginning, I was driven by a deep desire to enhance operating room standards in a healthcare system that desperately needed reform.

The perioperative care system I encountered was deeply concerning. Surgical site infections were alarmingly high, antibiotics were overprescribed for routine procedures, and antimicrobial resistance was spiraling out of control. Compounding these issues was a lack of accountability for medical negligence and an absence of reliable protocols to prevent or manage perioperative complications.

These issues weren’t just statistics—they represented countless lives affected by preventable harm. The thought of families losing loved ones due to systemic failures weighed heavily on me, igniting a determination to drive change. My goal was to raise awareness and improve practices, but the resistance I faced was formidable. As an outsider trying to bring change, I encountered skepticism, deeply entrenched norms, and a system that lacked the trained professionals needed to implement effective perioperative protocols.

In 2015, I discovered AORN and its perioperative standards and recommended practices. For the first time, I saw a framework that could guide me in bringing evidence-based perioperative care to Pakistan. The stark contrast between these international standards and our practices was overwhelming. In Pakistan, perioperative nurses often had little to no input in protocols, which were largely developed by surgeons. This oversight contributed to systemic flaws that directly impacted patient outcomes. I realized that, under AORN’s banner, I could create meaningful change.

With renewed hope, I launched the Pakistan Chapter of AORN in 2017. Starting with just a handful of like-minded individuals, our chapter now has 23 committed members. Over the years, I took on Herculean challenges, conducting 30 CME programs and engaging extensively with healthcare professionals across Pakistan. Together, we’ve delivered numerous educational presentations in hospitals, often in the local language to ensure our message resonates. Our aim has been to create cultural change by introducing evidence-based perioperative practices tailored to our healthcare environment.

Slowly but surely, we’ve seen progress. Hospitals are more receptive when we approach them through AORN’s platform, and we’re beginning to foster a sense of accountability and professionalism in perioperative care.

Every step of this journey has been personal to me. Each presentation, each conversation, and each small victory is a step closer to a healthcare system where patients in Pakistan can receive care that meets international standards. This mission is far from over, but with perseverance and the support of organizations like AORN, I remain hopeful that, together, we can transform perioperative care in Pakistan for generations to come.