Based in Houston, USA, Dr Salma Khuwaja is one of the two operational directors of Epidemiology who are leading the City of Houston’s response against Covid-19. She has been working with local hospitals in planning and implementation of disease prevention and control measures for the last 16 years.

Dr Salma has also been providing one-to-one care to individual Covid-19 patients to help define their journey to fight and contain Covid-19. Born and raised in Karachi, Pakistan, from a young age she was passionate about serving others, and intrigued in learning about the measures behind the obviation and control of communicable diseases. This paved her path to a career in preventive medicine.

After obtaining her medical degree from Dow Medical college in Karachi, she completed a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree from the Johns Hopkins University's School of Medicine in the United States. She subsequently comleted doctoral studies in Public Health from the University of Texas School of Public Health. Dr Salma, along with her family, attends Houston Principal Jamatkhana

While in Karachi, Dr Salma worked at the Community Health Centee at the Aga Khan Hospital, Karachi. Simultaneously, she joined the Aga Khan University as a faculty member and taught various courses in community health and development, primary care, and nutrition to medical and nursing students.

Her message to the Jamat is hopeful: “Remain positive about the future. Connect with your loved ones and support each other through these trying times. Stay updated on the current situation and always be cautious in your interactions outside your home. Inshallah we will all come out of this situation soon. Stay safe, stay healthy, and be strong.”