Lending a Healing Hand: Dr. Arif Saleem’s Mission to Serve Through Orthopedic Surgery

Driven by compassion and a deep connection to his heritage, Dr. Arif Saleem, a renowned shoulder and elbow orthopedic surgeon from the United States, recently completed his first medical mission trip to Pakistan through Indus Hospital & Health Network (IHHN).

Born to Pakistani parents, Dr. Saleem has long felt a pull toward giving back to the community of his roots. Since beginning his practice in 2004, he has performed 300–400 complex reconstructive and sports surgeries annually in the U.S. But this journey to Karachi was personal.

Dr. Saleem first learned about IHHN’s mission through a close friend, Junaid Makda, a member of the Gift of Disability Alleviation (GODA), at a Friends of Indus Hospital fundraising event. The stories he heard deeply resonated with him. He knew that one day he would travel to Pakistan to offer his expertise to those who need it most.

That opportunity came when his daughter decided to conduct a research fellowship at IHHN. With his last visit to Pakistan being in 1983, this was more than a medical mission—it was a return home. Over the course of just two days, Dr. Saleem performed several life-changing shoulder and elbow surgeries, using implants generously donated by a U.S.-based medical company he collaborates with.

Witnessing the quality of care at IHHN firsthand left a lasting impression on him. “It’s the same quality found in the U.S.,” he shared, moved by the compassion, infrastructure, and dedication of the hospital staff.

Yet, Dr. Saleem couldn’t ignore the stark contrast in healthcare access. “People in the U.S. often take health insurance for granted. In Pakistan, many lack access to even basic medical care. Places like IHHN are a novelty,” he noted.

The overwhelming number of patients underscored a painful reality—the urgent need for more specialized surgeons in Pakistan. “You always hear about the need and disparity, but seeing it in person was a different feeling altogether,” he said.

With every procedure, Dr. Saleem hoped to bring relief and restore hope. His visit wasn’t just about surgeries—it was about solidarity, service, and sowing the seeds of inspiration for others in the global Pakistani diaspora.

At IHHN, Dr. Saleem exemplified what it means to give back—generously, humbly, and with purpose.