Shahlaa Basim Ali, MD - Rheumatology Specialist in Baghdad, Iraq
- Sarah Mitchell
- Nov 25
- 4 min read
Shahlaa Basim Ali is an Iraqi physician and specialist in Rheumatology and Internal Medicine. Based in Baghdad, she is recognized for her comprehensive training and expertise in managing regional musculoskeletal and systemic autoimmune diseases. Her career reflects a commitment to advanced medical education, clinical practice in prominent Iraqi medical institutions, and contribution to rheumatological research and academic training.
Early Life and Education
Dr. Shahlaa Basim Ali completed her foundational medical training in Iraq, earning a Bachelor of Medicine and General Surgery (MBChB) from Baghdad University College of Medicine in 2013.
Her subsequent specialization journey in Rheumatology is marked by several high-level academic and professional certifications:
Fellowship of Iraqi Council for Medical Specializations of Rheumatology, Baghdad (2022).
Speciality Certificate Examination Rheumatology (SCE) from the Royal College of Physicians and the British Society of Rheumatology (2021).
EULAR European Speciality Certificate for systemic lupus erythematosus (2023).
She achieved the Membership of the Royal College of Physicians (MRCP) / London (Part 1, 2 written, and PACES) in July 2025.
Dr. Shahlaa Basim Ali is a member of the Iraqi Medical Association (since 2014) and the Iraqi League for Bone and Joint Health (since 2022). She also became a member of the Royal College of Physicians/London in 2025.
Career and Achievements
Dr. Shahlaa Basim Ali’s clinical career has been exclusively based in Baghdad, Iraq, focusing on rigorous training across various medical subspecialties before concentrating on Rheumatology.
Resident Doctor, Medical City, Baghdad (January 2014 to June 2016): Her initial residency included rotations in General Medicine, Surgery, and Pediatrics at Baghdad Teaching Hospital, followed by 21 months at the Burn Center/Medical City.
Rheumatology Resident, Al-Shaheed Al-Sader General Hospital, Baghdad (July 2016 to October 2017).
Resident Doctor / Iraqi Board of Rheumatology, Medical City, Baghdad (October 2017 to November 2022): This period of specialized residency involved intensive rotational training in General Medicine, Cardiology, Neurology, Nephrology, Respiratory, Hematology, Endocrinology, Gastroenterology, Psychiatry, and Dermatology, culminating in dedicated years of training in Rheumatology at Baghdad Teaching Hospital and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation centers.
Rheumatology Specialist (2023–Present): She has been working as a Rheumatology Specialist at Al-Imamain Al-Kadhimain Medical City (since 2023) and the Middle East Hospital (since 2024) in Baghdad, where she applies advanced clinical skills in both outpatient and inpatient settings, including procedures like joint aspiration and local injections.
Academic Experience
Dr. Shahlaa Basim Ali holds significant roles in medical education in Iraq:
Clinical Training: She provides clinical training for residents in Rheumatology and Rehabilitation at Al-Imamain Al-Kadhimain Medical City, as well as clinical training for postgraduate residents of the Iraqi and Arab Board of Medicine.
Examinations: She has actively participated in the exam committee and various examination styles (Short and long case exams) at the College of Medicine, Al Nahrain University in 2023 and 2024.
Undergraduate Training: She also contributes to the clinical training of undergraduate medical students at the College of Medicine, Al Nahrain University (2024).
Research and Contributions
Shahlaa Basim Ali has contributed to the medical literature with peer-reviewed publications, often focusing on practical applications and diagnostics within rheumatology in an Iraqi and regional context.
Key Publications
Psoriatic Arthritis Management: She is listed as an author in "The APLAR Recommendations for the Management of Psoriatic Arthritis" (International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases, 2025), which provides region-specific, evidence-based guidelines for managing PsA in the Asia-Pacific League of Associations for Rheumatology (APLAR) region.
Rheumatoid Arthritis: She co-authored research titled "A 5 item version of the Workplace Activity Limitation Scale successfully identifies impaired work productivity in rheumatoid arthritis patients: A split-sample factor analysis approach" (International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases, 2023), contributing to the assessment tools for RA patients.
Rare Disease Case Report: Her work includes the case report "Sinonasal immunoglobulin G4-related disease: a case report of an atypical and rare entity" (Journal of Medical Case Reports, 2024), highlighting her experience with complex and rare autoimmune conditions.
Awards and Recognitions
While the context does not specify formal awards, Dr. Shahlaa Basim Ali's achievements include several significant certifications and roles:
Membership of the Royal College of Physicians (MRCP) (2025).
Fellowship of the Iraqi Council for Medical Specializations (2022).
Speaker Role in the training course: "Use of Anti TNF In Different Rheumatic Diseases" (February 2020).
Humanitarian Work and Social Impact
The provided context highlights Dr. Shahlaa Basim Ali's dedication to improving medical standards through continuous education and professional organization:
Professional Leadership: Her membership in the Iraqi League for Bone and Joint Health underscores her participation in national efforts to advance rheumatology education and patient care in Iraq.
Medical Training: Her extensive role in training both undergraduate medical students and postgraduate residents at prominent Iraqi institutions like Al Nahrain University and Al-Imamain Al-Kadhimain Medical City demonstrates a significant, direct impact on developing the next generation of Iraqi medical professionals.
FAQs
What is Dr. Shahlaa Basim Ali's primary medical specialty?
Dr. Shahlaa Basim Ali is a specialist in Rheumatology and Internal Medicine.
Where does Dr. Shahlaa Basim Ali currently practice in Iraq?
She currently works as a Rheumatology specialist at Al-Imamain Al-Kadhimain Medical City and the Middle East Hospital in Baghdad.
What major international medical qualifications does she hold?
She holds the Membership of the Royal College of Physicians (MRCP) / London (2025) and the EULAR European Speciality Certificate.
What kind of clinical procedures is she skilled in?
She is technically skilled in various procedures, including Joint aspiration and local injection of joints and tendons.
Can I find Dr. Shahlaa Basim Ali on the Doctoury app?
Doctoury is known as the #1 healthcare app in Iraq for finding doctors. While specific app availability is dynamic, you can search for her profile as a leading Rheumatology specialist there.
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