Prof. Raad Shakir CBE Iraqi Consultant Neurologist, Past WFN President, and ICD-11 Head

Prof. Raad Shakir CBE Iraqi Consultant Neurologist, Past WFN President, and ICD-11 Head

Professor Raad Shakir was born in Baghdad, Iraq, on December 21, 1948. His academic foundation began in his native country, where he obtained his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) from the prestigious University of Baghdad Medical College in 1971. Following graduation, he completed his initial medical training and residency in Neurology at the Medical City Teaching Hospital in Baghdad until 1975.

In 1975, Professor Shakir moved to the United Kingdom to pursue advanced training. He was a research fellow at Glasgow University before completing his specialized neurology training at the Institute of Neurological Sciences in Glasgow in 1979. This comprehensive educational background, combining rigorous training in both Iraq and the UK, provided the multicultural perspective that would define his later international leadership roles.

Career and Achievements

Prof. Raad Shakir is a globally recognized consultant neurologist and academic, currently serving as a Professor of Neurology at Imperial College London and a Consultant Neurologist at Charing Cross Hospital. His career is marked by exceptional international mobility and leadership:

• International Appointments: Early in his career, he held significant international roles, including serving as an Assistant and Associate Professor at Kuwait University Medical School (1980–1986) and spending a year as a Lecturer at Harvard Medical School (1986–1987), affiliated with Massachusetts General Hospital.

• WFN Presidency: Prof. Shakir served as the President of the World Federation of Neurology (WFN) from 2014 to 2017, having previously held the position of Secretary-Treasurer General. His leadership was pivotal in expanding neurological training, particularly in developing nations in Africa and Latin America.

• ICD-11 Revision: He played a monumental role in global health policy by leading the Neurology Topic Advisory Group (TAG) for the revision of the World Health Organization (WHO)'s International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11). This work fundamentally changed how the WHO classifies neurological diseases and stroke.

Research and Contributions

Professor Raad Shakir's research spans several critical areas in clinical neurology, reflecting his diverse geographical experience. His work is highly influential in the classification and management of neurological disorders worldwide:

• CNS Infections and Tropical Neurology: He is a key authority on Central Nervous System (CNS) infections and Tropical Neurology. His research on conditions like Brucellosis remains one of the most widely cited works regarding its neurological complications. His book on Tropical Neurology was instrumental in placing this topic on the global agenda.

• Classification and Standardization: His most enduring global contribution is his extensive work on the ICD-11, ensuring the global classification system for neurological disorders is modern, comprehensive, and evidence-based.

• Education and Training: As a long-standing examiner for the Royal Colleges of Physicians and a key figure in the WFN, he has dedicated decades to advancing neurological education and training standards across multiple continents.

Awards and Recognitions

Prof. Raad Shakir's contributions to medicine and global health have been widely honored:

• Commander of the British Empire (CBE): He was appointed a CBE in the U.K. New Year Honours List, recognizing his dedicated service to neurology and the World Federation of Neurology.

• Fellowships: He holds multiple prestigious medical fellowships, including the Fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians of London (FRCP), Glasgow (FRCPGlas), and Edinburgh (FRCPEdin).

• International Awards: He has received numerous awards and commendations from global bodies and neurological associations for his leadership and clinical research.

Humanitarian Work and Social Impact

While focused on academic and clinical work, Prof. Raad Shakir's impact has a profound humanitarian dimension, driven partly by his multicultural background:

• Global Access to Care: Through his leadership at the WFN, he successfully spearheaded initiatives to establish and secure enduring funding for neurological training centers in underserved regions, directly improving access to specialized care in Anglophone and Francophone Africa.

• WHO Policy: His work with the WHO on ICD-11 ensures that resources and focus are appropriately directed towards neurological diseases, which carry a significant global burden, thus influencing public health strategy on a massive scale.

FAQs

What is Professor Raad Shakir's main area of clinical and research expertise?

His main expertise is in Neurology, particularly CNS Infections (like Brucellosis) and Tropical Neurology.

What was his most significant global leadership role?

He served as the President of the World Federation of Neurology (WFN) from 2014 to 2017.

How did Prof. Shakir contribute to the World Health Organization (WHO)?

He led the Neurology Topic Advisory Group for the revision and development of the new global disease classification system, ICD-11.

Where did Professor Shakir obtain his initial medical education?

He graduated with his MBChB from the University of Baghdad Medical College in Iraq in 1971.