7 Most Influential Afghan Doctors Throughout History

Published in

Heritage Digest

9 min readMay 4, 2024

Afghanistan has been home to numerous remarkable doctors whose contributions have left a lasting impact on healthcare worldwide. These individuals have shaped history, from pioneering medical research to advancing clinical practice. Here, we highlight the seven most influential Afghan doctors throughout history:

Sima Samar (1957-present)
Anahita Ratebzad (1931–2014)
Roshanak Wardak (1962-present)
Abdul Qayum Tutakhail (1940-present)
Zalmai Rassoul (1943-present)
Faizullah Kakar (1950-present)
Khaled Hosseini (1965-present)

1. Sima Samar (1957-present)

Sima Samar, born on February 3, 1957, in Jaghori, Ghazni Province, Afghanistan, emerged from humble beginnings to become a prominent figure in medicine and human rights advocacy. Growing up in Afghanistan as a Hazara, Samar faced the challenges typical of her region. Despite adversity, she pursued higher education, earning her medical degree from Kabul University in 1982. Samar’s early career was marked by a dedication to providing medical care, particularly for Afghan women, amidst political turmoil.

Her parents’ occupations are not mentioned, but Samar’s upbringing instilled a sense of compassion and a commitment to service. Samar’s journey took a pivotal turn when, in 1984, her husband was arrested, prompting her and her son to flee to Pakistan. There, she worked tirelessly as a doctor, witnessing firsthand the dire lack of healthcare facilities for Afghan refugee women. In response, she founded the Shuhada Organization and Clinic in 1989, which is dedicated to addressing the healthcare needs of Afghan women and girls.

Samar’s impact extends beyond medicine; she ventured into politics, serving as Minister of Women’s Affairs of Afghanistan from 2001 to 2003. Despite facing threats and harassment for challenging conservative Islamic laws, she persisted in advocating for women’s rights. Throughout her career, Samar garnered international recognition for her unwavering dedication to human rights, receiving prestigious awards such as the Right Livelihood Award in 2012. Today, Samar continues her advocacy efforts, serving on various high-level panels and championing the rights of women and marginalized communities in Afghanistan and beyond.

2. Anahita Ratebzad (1931–2014)

Anahita Ratebzad was born in November 1931 in Guldara, Kabul Province, Afghanistan. Growing up under challenging circumstances after her father’s exile, Ratebzad pursued education fervently, marrying young to Dr. Keramuddin Kakar, a foreign-educated Afghan surgeon. She broke barriers by attending the francophone Malalaï Lycée and later earning a nursing degree from the State University of Michigan and a medical degree from Kabul University’s Medical School. Her early life set the stage for her groundbreaking contributions to medical and public health fields in Afghanistan, emphasizing the importance of female education and healthcare.

Throughout her career, Ratebzad combined her medical knowledge with her political activism, significantly impacting Afghanistan’s healthcare and social services sectors. As a pioneer for women in medicine, she led a group of female nurses in 1957 to attend to male patients in Kabul’s Aliabad Hospital, challenging societal norms and promoting gender equality in healthcare. Her tenure as Minister of Social Affairs and later as Minister of Education saw her focus on improving health services, job security for women, and advocating for equal education rights. Ratebzad’s editorial writings further highlighted her commitment to women’s health and education, emphasizing these as fundamental rights for the country’s future.

Anahita Ratebzad’s legacy as a medical professional and activist endured until her death on 7 September 2014 from kidney failure. Her life’s work, from her medical practice to her political endeavors, significantly advanced healthcare and women’s rights in Afghanistan. Her efforts to integrate women into the medical field and promote public health reforms have left a lasting impact, illustrating the pivotal role healthcare professionals can play in societal transformation. Ratebzad’s remains were taken back to Afghanistan, where she was laid to rest, leaving behind a profound legacy of resilience, advocacy, and change in the face of adversity.

3. Roshanak Wardak (1962-present)

Roshanak Wardak was born in 1962 in Maidan Wardak Province, Afghanistan, into a family with a political background; her father and grandfather were local politicians. Her upbringing was marked by the turmoil of the Afghan Civil War, during which her father was killed. Despite these challenges, Wardak pursued a medical career, becoming a beacon of hope and resilience in her community. She emerged as a pioneering gynaecologist in Afghanistan, dedicating her life to improving women’s healthcare under incredibly difficult circumstances.

Wardak’s major achievements lie in her dual roles as a medical professional and a politician. After witnessing the dire state of maternal healthcare in her native province, where over 40 women had died in childbirth, she opened her first clinic in 1996, bravely practicing as the only female doctor there during the Taliban regime. Her refusal to wear the burqa while still respecting Islamic dress codes challenged societal norms and underscored her commitment to women’s health and rights. Transitioning into politics, Wardak served as a member of the House of the People for Maidan Wardak Province from 2005, advocating for peace and criticizing both Western military intervention and the Taliban’s policies on female education.

Today, Roshanak Wardak lives in Saydabad, Maidan Wardak Province, where she operates a private clinic. After her political career ended in 2010, she resumed her full-time work as a doctor, focusing on gynaecological services. Despite initially praising the Taliban’s 2021 return for ending corruption, she has since criticized their stance on girls’ education, advocating for the reopening of girls’ schools across Afghanistan. Wardak’s life reflects a profound dedication to healthcare and education, earning her a spot among the BBC’s 100 Women of 2021 for her enduring contributions to Afghan society.

4. Abdul Qayum Tutakhail (1940-present)

Major General Abdul Qayum Tutakhail, born in the Sayed-Karam district of Paktia province, Afghanistan, is renowned for his extensive contributions to military medicine. Growing up in a region known for its rich cultural and historical significance, Tutakhail was deeply influenced by his father, Khan Mohammad Tutakhail, and his upbringing in the Paktia province. His educational journey began at Cadet College, followed by Kabul Medical University, where he earned his MD degree, and later, a Ph.D. in Neurosurgery/Neurotraumatology from the Institute of Neurosurgery in Kyiv, showcasing his dedication to advancing medical knowledge and practice.

Throughout his distinguished career, Tutakhail has been at the forefront of medical innovation and excellence in Afghanistan’s military. As Surgeon General of the Afghan National Army and later as Assistant Minister of Defense for Health Affairs, he played a pivotal role in enhancing the quality of medical care and introducing groundbreaking medical techniques. His specialization in neurosurgery, marked by over 3,000 operations, and his development of combat trauma treatment methods underscore his significant impact on military medicine and healthcare delivery in conflict zones.

Major General Tutakhail’s legacy extends beyond his surgical achievements to his contributions to medical ethics, tactics, and organization as a faculty lecturer at AFAMS. His efforts to address corruption and improve conditions at the Sardar Mohammad Dawood Khan Hospital since 2010 have further solidified his reputation as a dedicated medical professional and reformer. Through his research, leadership, and commitment to improving the lives of soldiers and civilians alike, Tutakhail has left an indelible mark on Afghanistan's medical and military communities.

5. Zalmai Rassoul (1943-present)

Zalmai Rassoul was born on 11 May 1943 in Kabul, Afghanistan, into a prominent family with royal connections as the nephew of King Amānullāh Khān. His upbringing was marked by academic excellence, culminating in his graduation as valedictorian from Lycée Esteqlal. Pursuing further education, Rassoul traveled to France on a scholarship, where he studied at Paris Medical School and received his M.D. in 1973. This early period set the stage for his diverse contributions to the medical field and his country’s political landscape.

Rassoul distinguished himself through significant academic contributions to medicine, authoring over 30 publications in European and American medical journals. His membership in the American Society of Nephrology underscores his commitment to advancing medical science, particularly in nephrology. Rassoul’s medical expertise contributed to the global body of medical knowledge and exemplified the potential for Afghan professionals to impact the international stage.

Beyond his medical career, Rassoul has been a pivotal figure in Afghan politics, serving in various high-profile roles, including National Security Advisor and Foreign Minister. His efforts in diplomacy and governance have been crucial in shaping Afghanistan’s security architecture and advancing the peace process. Despite transitioning from the medical field to political affairs, Rassoul’s life work reflects a deep commitment to serving his country and enhancing its standing on the global stage. Today, as a respected figure in Afghan politics, he continues to influence the nation’s trajectory towards peace and stability.

6. Faizullah Kakar (1950-present)

Faizullah Kakar, born on 24 December 1950, embarked on a path that would see him become a revered Afghan epidemiologist. His academic journey began at Lycee Habibia in Kabul. It led him to earn a bachelor’s degree in biology from Earlham College, a master’s in Toxicology from Indiana University, and a Ph.D. in Epidemiology from the University of Washington. This foundation laid the groundwork for his extensive public health and epidemiology contributions in Afghanistan and internationally.

Throughout his career, Kakar made significant strides in improving healthcare in Afghanistan. As Deputy Minister of Public Health and later as the Chief of Staff to President Ashraf Ghani, his efforts were pivotal in addressing infectious diseases, reducing maternal mortality, and opposing harmful herbicides. His role as the Presidential National Focal Point for Polio Eradication showcased his commitment to eradicating polio in Afghanistan, aligning with global health initiatives.

Since retiring on 30 March 2020, Kakar’s legacy as a health advisor and diplomat, including his tenure as the Afghan Ambassador to Qatar, continues to inspire. His pioneering work on the Disease Early Warning System (DEWS) in Pakistan has been recognized globally, influencing public health strategies worldwide. Kakar’s opposition to the mass spraying of glyphosate, later validated as carcinogenic, further highlights his foresight and dedication to public health and safety.

7. Khaled Hosseini (1965-present)

Khaled Hosseini, born on March 4, 1965, in Kabul, Afghanistan, embarked on a journey that led him from being a child in a privileged family to a globally recognized novelist and a former physician. His parents played significant roles in his early life; his father was a diplomat, and his mother was a teacher. This background provided him with a rich cultural and educational foundation. Hosseini’s early experiences, including living in different countries due to his father’s job, significantly influenced his perspective and literary work.

Hosseini pursued his passion for science alongside his interest in literature, culminating in a bachelor’s degree in biology from Santa Clara University, followed by an M.D. from the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine. He practiced medicine in California, likening it to “an arranged marriage,” a profession he eventually left to dedicate himself to writing full-time. This transition from medicine to literature allowed him to explore and narrate the complex narratives of Afghan history and culture through his novels, significantly contributing to literature and raising awareness about Afghanistan worldwide.

Today, Khaled Hosseini is not only celebrated for his bestselling novels, such as “The Kite Runner” and “A Thousand Splendid Suns,” but also for his humanitarian work. As a UNHCR goodwill ambassador and through his foundation, he has advocated for refugees, combining his medical background and literary fame to impact global perceptions and aid efforts. Hosseini’s life, bridging the worlds of medicine, literature, and activism, highlights his multifaceted contributions to society, reflecting his enduring commitment to humanitarian causes and the power of storytelling to effect change.