Prince of Wales Awarded MBE to My Brother

Words do not do justice to the pride and happiness I feel in my heart today. Gratified not only because of his achievement but because I am blessed to be his little sister.

A glimpse into the past

We are three siblings, me being the youngest and the only sister of two remarkable elder brothers.

Back in the days when we were children, Rizwan (my eldest brother) was a role model, always setting high standards for himself and wanting us younger ones to do the same. He pushed me to work hard and strive for excellence in all aspects of my life, from academics to extracurricular activities. He was always supportive and encouraging, offering guidance and constructive criticism to help me improve.

I could rely on him and trust him. All my life I knew I always had his back no matter what. In my moments of joy, he was my biggest cheerleader but when I made wrong choices, he was the first one to tell me off.

Rizwan as a medical student

Before coming to England, Rizwan did his graduation from Pakistan. I still remember about twenty years ago when he was just a medical student, he would take underprivileged patients in his own car and get them seen by his teachers.

I believe it is these small favours that he did from a very young age for everyone around him that have become stepping stones for the heights he has reached today. Heartfelt prayers and best wishes from the patients he helped have lit his way all through his life and beyond.

COVID-19 Pandemic and the struggles

The onset of Covid had all clinicians facing significant challenges as they worked to diagnose and treat patients appropriately. The high demand for their services had put pressure on hospital and clinics, and many doctors had to work long hours in difficult conditions to keep up with the influx of patients. Additionally, the nature of the disease and the rapid pace at which new information emerges just made it more difficult for respiratory doctors to stay up-to-date on the latest treatments and protocols.

Despite these challenges, they continued to work tirelessly to provide care for those affected by COVID-19, and their efforts have been critical in helping to slow the spread of the virus and save lives.

Since the start of the COVID-19 Pandemic Rizwan led his team from the front in providing the best possible care for patients, up-skilling doctors, nurses and allied healthcare staff to deal with this rapidly evolving pandemic, providing training, developing guidance and training them on appropriate infection control measures and use of PPE in high-risk areas.

During the pandemic, we didn't meet for months but he called every day and the tone of his voice said it all.

He lost his appetite and there were days he couldn't sleep. Yet, he kept strong for his team and his patients, providing them with moral and physiological support and helping to keep their spirits high with empathy, affection and encouragement.

What is MBE and why my brother received this award?

The MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) is a prestigious award that recognizes outstanding achievement or service to the community, and it is a testament to the dedication and hard work of Rizwan during a very challenging time.

Rizwan’s support was not only for his team and patients but also for his community as a whole.

1.Working with Local Communities

He was recognized for going above and beyond in his work during the pandemic, by providing medical care and also actively working to educate and engage with local community groups, especially those that are hard to reach and from BAME communities. This was particularly important as these groups had been disproportionately affected by the pandemic and were more likely to have barriers to accessing healthcare services.

By visiting places of worship and community centers and engaging with elders and influential people in these communities, he worked to address cultural and linguistic barriers that may be preventing some people from getting vaccinated.

He worked with these communities to help them understand the latest government advice and played an important role in reducing the spread of the virus and saving lives. He had a positive impact on his community not just by providing medical care, but also by working to address social determinants of health. His work is truly commendable and it’s a great honour for him to be recognized in the Queen’s birthday honours list.

2. Reducing TB incidence in the community

Rizwan leads TB services in Bolton hospital and has made a significant impact on reducing TB incidence in the community. He has done this by developing collaborative working relationships with multidisciplinary teams to create an effective and efficient TB service. He also runs regular teaching sessions for doctors, organizes community TB awareness events and actively participates in regional and national TB advisory groups. His efforts will help to shape the way TB is treated and managed on a broader scale.

TB is a serious public health issue and requires a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to prevention and control. Rizwan has been able to develop an effective TB service by working collaboratively with other healthcare professionals and organizations. His efforts to educate and raise awareness about TB in the community are crucial in preventing the spread of the disease.

3. Passing his skills to the next generation

Rizwan also proved to be a dedicated and effective medical educator, providing high-quality teaching to undergraduate and postgraduate doctors and allied healthcare professionals. He is also an Honorary Senior Lecturer (teaching) at Manchester University and visiting lecturer and the University of Bolton, which demonstrates his expertise and leadership in medical education. Working with CESOP he is an advocate for patient safety, compassion and professionalism in training healthcare staff.

His leadership in organizing and delivering the 1st International Conference on Improving Safety in Care of Older People (2018) brought together national and international experts and provided a unique opportunity to reflect on and share best practices. Furthermore, his work in helping to develop and deliver various virtual educational events on safe and effective care, and professionalism during the COVID-19 pandemic, is especially important during these challenging times.

A Royal Recognition: Our Family’s Pride and Joy

It was a momentous occasion for our entire family when we learned that my brother had been awarded. The joy and pride felt upon receiving the invitation to meet a member of the royal family were indescribable, an honour we will forever cherish.

Tears of pride welled up in my eyes, I couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed with emotion as I watched my father standing proud with my brother’s wife and kids as he received the well-deserved recognition for his hard work and dedication from Prince William.

This story was also published on medium.com