Dr Saima Niaz is a British Consultant Psychiatrist and the founder of The Niaz Initiative. She is a Fellow of the Pakistan College of Physicians and Surgeons (FCPS) and completed specialist training in General Adult Psychiatry in the UK. Dr Niaz served as an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Fatima Jinnah Medical College in Lahore, Pakistan, and now works as a Consultant Psychiatrist in the NHS.
She holds leadership roles in professional associations: as a Workforce Lead for the Royal College of Psychiatrists (London Division) and an executive member of its Transcultural Psychiatry special interest group. She is a life member of the British Pakistani Psychiatrists Association and has written for Global Woman Magazine. She also serves as an Ambassador for Peace and Patron for the Universal Peace Federation UK, reflecting her commitment to community service.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr Niaz produced educational videos and content (in English and Urdu) to inform communities about mental health and vaccination. These efforts, shared by NHS Trusts and the Pakistan High Commission, earned her commendations from the Mayor of London in 2020 and 2021. In recognition of her contributions to mental health, she received the World Psychiatric Association’s “Outstanding Mental Health Services” award (Zone 15).
Beyond the UK, Dr Niaz contributes to international policy and advocacy. She served as a delegate with UN Women UK at the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69, March 2025), bringing mental health expertise to global gender discussions. She also collaborates with international organizations and conferences on gender equity and mental health policy, striving to ensure culturally-informed care worldwide.
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