Shahnaz Shahid Ali, from Pakistan, is a nurse-midwife and doctoral candidate with over two decades of experience in maternal and newborn health, and a focus on perinatal mental health. She is currently pursuing a doctorate in nursing, at Western University, Canada, with research exploring the socio-cultural factors that shape perinatal mental health service provision by midwives.
Training midwifery students
Shahnaz holds master’s and bachelor’s degrees and two diplomas in nursing and midwifery from the Aga Khan University School of Nursing and Midwifery, Pakistan. She played a leading role with mentors, leaders and colleagues at Aga Khan University School of Nursing and Midwifery, Pakistan in developing Pakistan’s first competency-based Bachelor of Science in Midwifery program, which has also informed similar programs in Afghanistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan.
Her career includes delivering maternal and newborn care, family planning, and lactation support in underserved and disaster-affected areas. She has trained nurse-midwives, developed educational resources, and supported midwifery institutions in curriculum development.
As a volunteer with the Aga Khan University Hospital, Shahnaz conducted deliveries, supported breastfeeding, provided basic healthcare, and developed training materials for midwives at Aga Khan University and across Pakistan. At Western University, she facilitated health sessions, supported her colleagues’ research-related activities, and contributed to orientation and social events. At the Cross-Cultural Learner Center, she supported families and volunteered in community events.
Training midwifery students
Shahnaz’s future goals include promoting perinatal mental health through awareness materials, developing screening tools for midwives, and establishing care pathways to ensure timely mental health support for women. Her work continues to bridge clinical practice, education, and advocacy to improve maternal health outcomes in culturally diverse settings.
