Staff say farewell to pioneering surgeon
Friends and colleagues celebrate Aijaz’s 30-year career
One of Stirling’s NHS heroes – described as a true surgical pioneer – has retired after more than 30 years with the service.
No fewer than 160 friends, family and colleagues came together at Colessio on Friday night to celebrate the career and retiral of consultant Aijaz Jabbar.
Originally from Karachi, Pakistan, Mr Jabbar began work with the NHS in 1987 when he was appointed surgical registrar at Stirling Royal Infirmary.
He worked at Falkirk Royal in the early 1990s before taking up consultant posts at Stirling Royal, in 2000, and later Forth Valley Royal Hospital.
One colleague told the Observer: “In his consultant career, Mr Jabbar has made a huge contribution to the community in Forth Valley.
“As a consultant he was a true pioneer with a great desire and vision to do things better for patients in Forth Valley.
“Laparoscopic or keyhole surgery was in its infancy when Mr Jabbar started in Stirling but he lead the way with the development of advanced laparoscopic procedures for colon cancer, gastro-oesophageal reflux and kidney problems, making these procedures available for patients in Forth Valley before they became mainstream nationally.
“Mr Jabbar clearly demonstrated throughout his career a genuine and unyielding dedication to both his patients and colleagues, and he will be sorely missed by both.”
The colleague said there had been a “fantastic turnout” for the retiral celebration.
“It was a testament to the respect and great appreciation his friends and colleagues hold for him,” she added.
“It may come as some comfort to his patients that he has passed the baton on to his son, Salman, who is also a surgeon, training and following in his footsteps.”
Salman and his father worked together during Mr Jabbar’s final two weeks before retirement.
His other son, Fazan, works in orthopaedic surgery in Newcastle and daughter Maheen is a qualified pharmacist.
Mr Jabbar is the founder of the Pakistani Social and Welfare Association of Central Scotland and in 2013 received a Provost’s Award from Stirling Council.
Mr Jabbar clearly demonstrated throughout his career a genuine and unyieldingdedicationtobothhispatients and colleagues, and he will be sorely missed by both