British-Pakistani senior consultant psychiatrist specializing in child and adolescent mental health, Dr. Yasser Saeed Khan, has been elected Chair of the Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych) MENA (Middle East and North Africa) Division. Dr. Khan secured an overwhelming majority, receiving 109 out of 140 votes cast.
Dr. Khan, who worked for 13 years in the UK’s NHS, moved to Qatar in 2017 to support the development of specialist child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC). He currently serves as Medical Lead for CAMHS, Program Director of the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship, and Clinical Associate Professor at Qatar University’s College of Medicine.
As Vice Chair of the RCPsych MENA Division over the past three years, Dr. Khan spearheaded several initiatives, including the establishment of the region’s first MRCPsych CASC exam centre, set to open in November 2025. He also launched regional mental health projects in Palestine, Iraq, and Egypt and organized conferences and symposia in collaboration with local providers.
Dr. Khan has been a strong advocate for trainee support, facilitating bursaries for the RCPsych International Congress, mentoring MTI applicants from countries like Sudan, Egypt, and Yemen, and guiding members through Fellowship applications.
Speaking to the media, Dr. Khan said,
My vision as Chair is to continue strengthening the Division’s role as a hub of professional collaboration, research, and advocacy. I also plan to expand regional research and dementia alliances to support sustainable development in mental health.
Expressing gratitude for the support of his colleagues, Dr. Khan added, “I look forward to building on our shared achievements and ensuring the Division continues to grow as an inclusive and progressive force in psychiatry.”