Dr. Waheed; the first Maldivian Plastic Surgeon

Repairing or reconstructing missing or damaged tissue and skin had been an area of limitation in the Maldivian medical scene for decades.

Extensive burns, injuries from accidents, or other serious injuries where the victim is required to undergo reconstructive plastic surgery to fix the damages to skin or tissues, is a widely used medical procedure in various countries.

In the Maldives, such victims have time and again resorted to seeking such medical solutions from abroad.

Until June 2022, Maldives lacked a specialized surgeon in reconstructive surgery. That was until Dr. Mohamed Waheed returned back to his home country after completing his education in the said medical field.

Dr. Waheed currently works full-time at Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH). He joined the largest government hospital in the country almost immediately after flying from Thailand, where he attended Mahidol University; one of the most prestigious universities in Thailand, internationally known and recognized for the high caliber of research and teaching by its faculty.

The doctor had already spoken about the societal misconception tied to the medical field, claiming that many affiliate the concept of plastic surgery with more cosmetic applications and requirements.

However, this is not how Dr. Waheed describes the field of plastic surgery. He notes that the medical field is instrumental in "every possible way" in the Maldivian medical sector.

Dr. Waheed had joined the Science Education Center during his academic years to complete the A' Level standard in order to pursue a career in medicine.

His journey to become the first Maldivian plastic surgeon will not be without its fair share of challenges, as he was unable to receive a state-backed scholarship on the year he concluded his A' Levels since several of his peers had received academically better results.

But as any journey towards greatness, Dr. Waheed, had too, encountered his silver lining back in 1993, after he had been working at IGMH for nearly three years.

He had received a scholarship opportunity to pursue a medical degree from Cuba, which would be his first step in a years long journey to become a medical professional.

Following the completion of his MBBS, he resumed his work in IGMH back in 2003.

Shortly after he commenced his tenure as a doctor, Maldives experienced the horrifying 2004 tsunami crisis. A national-level incident that left a number of locals with severe injuries while a few cases of mortality were reported as well.

Another such incident was the Maafushi jail incident where several inmates were extensively injured due to shots fired.

In both instances, Dr. Waheed was required to provide assistance to the victims.

He described his experience following the aftermath of the 2004 tsunami as one that was "entirely unprecedented" and that he had to provide medical assistance to victims in unexpected circumstances.

He was initially designated at Kaafu atoll Gulhi where he had to consult and provide medical assistance to the tsunami victims.

Three days later, he landed in GA. Vilingili after he was assigned to consult tsunami victims in the island. He continued his professional duties at the island for well over a week before he was called to visit Laamu atoll to inspect washed up corpses.

These incidents were forever etched into Dr. Waheed's memories and would become as a turning point for the doctor.

After four years of serving in IGMH as a general doctor, he flew to Malaysia to become a specialist; this time, his aspiration had been to become a surgeon.

He concluded his specialization in 2012 after which he once again rejoined IGMH.

It was at this point Dr. Waheed took a keen interest towards skin and tissue reconstructive surgery. He explains he was drawn to the field after observing the necessity for patients to recover from long-term bruises and scars on their skins.

Dr. Waheed's medical quest had taken him on a professional journey of understanding the need for scab and scar removal from diabetic patients.

The doctor with his team had conducted research into the field to understand more contemporary solutions for skin related issues.

Dr. Waheed's dedication towards wound care was bolstered by the endorsement and support from both Malaysia's Wound Care Association and ASEAN's Wound Care Society, with IGMH procuring specific equipment and machinery in 2015 to ensure wound care in Maldives is not temporary.

Despite the advanced wound care equipment brought and put into operation in IGMH, the absence of a qualified plastic surgeon had limited the application of wound treatment in the country.

In a bid to reduce the number of local patients flying abroad for reconstructive surgery, Dr. Waheed and his team during discussions held with the Malaysian Wound Care Association, had requested training local doctors in the field.

Dr. Waheed received the opportunity to further his professional career after the association's efforts fell through when he received the chance from Thailand's Mahidol University - where he pursued his specialist studies under a pay-leave with a sponsorship from Universal Enterprises.

His professional career as a plastic surgeon may not have become entirely realized had he not experienced one of the most harrowing incidents in the Maldivian history.

In 2017, a speed-boat carrying several tourists exploded in mid-journey. Almost all of the passengers had received varying and severe degrees of burns on their bodies.

Dr. Waheed was the leading authority at IGMH related to skin and tissue damage and reconstruction, due to which he had to spearhead the medical efforts to provide assistance to the burn victims.

This had included intricate procedures involving two patients in critical conditions. Dr. Waheed had successfully operated on the victims, an achievement that would become a catalyst for his aspiration to pursue education in reconstructive surgery.

In recent years, the increase in number of diabetic patients have lead to a rise in patients coming in with the need for skin grafting.

Dr. Waheed claims that his efforts will be to provide continuous support and help to diabetic patients in treating their skin and tissue wounds through reconstructive surgery.

Another important area where plastic surgery is applicable is for patients with breast cancer, who require reconstructive procedures after undergoing cancer surgery.

The doctor had spoken about the importance of having a plastic surgeon in the Maldives, while maintaining highlight of such sensitive areas where the country's medical service were in need of improvement.

Dr. Waheed, after joining IGMH once again, following the conclusion of his most recent academic endeavor, has carried out four specific surgeries related to skin and tissue reconstruction.

The necessity and importance for the Maldivian medical sector to employ more plastic surgeons have been put to test, since, had it not been for the presence of Dr. Waheed and his team at IGMH, the patients who were in need of reconstructive surgery will have to seek their medical care abroad.

While reconstructive surgery as an application of providing solution for skin and tissue damages due to accidents, burns and other critical situations, is expected to receive further government endorsement and support, the application of plastic surgery in a cosmetic approach is not a protocol yet entertained.