In the vast and often underserved regions of Western Australia, vascular specialists are a rarity. However, one such surgeon has made it his mission to deliver life-saving care directly in rural communities.
Although based in Perth, Dr Mahmoud Al-Najjar regularly travels to Albany, Bunbury and Geraldton to bring care closer to home for rural patients.
“Patients appreciate the accessibility of having advanced care available within their own communities,” Mahmoud said.
“They can have their operations in a regional centre, which has a profound impact on their well-being, convenience and recovery.”
Mahmoud first became committed to supporting rural patients during his internship, while participating in the Queensland Country Relieving Doctors Program. This program placed junior doctors in remote areas to support general practitioners.
“I was honoured to work in remote clinics serving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations in towns with about 500 people. However, I couldn’t perform surgery in those areas, which is what I ultimately wanted.”
After obtaining his qualification in vascular surgery, Mahmoud began splitting his time between city hospitals and regional clinics, offering services in places where access to advanced vascular care is often limited or non-existent.
Today, Mahmoud heads up Australian Vascular, which travels to multiple sites in rural WA, providing specialised and often complex vascular care in communities that would otherwise go without.
Mahmoud performs surgery at both St John of God Bunbury and Geraldton sites, as well as working in the public system.
With the support of WA Country Health Service (WACHS), Mahmoud has been appointed as a visiting vascular surgeon
for the Midwest, and is seeking to expand access to vascular services with WACHS in Bunbury and Albany.
This partnership has been instrumental in Mahmoud’s efforts to address gaps in local specialised care, however it is not without challenges.
“One of the biggest hurdles is the lack of infrastructure, such as the specialised operating facilities and equipment that are essential for vascular surgeries,” he said. “The staffing is often there, but the facilities such as cath labs, aren’t available in some locations.”
Travel logistics also present obstacles and while he prefers to drive to Albany, other trips often depend on flights, which can be subject to delays or cancellations.
Another challenge is the accessibility of healthcare for those without private insurance.
“Not all rural residents have private health insurance, so they sometimes have to travel to public hospitals for treatment. The limited capacity of regional public facilities can lead to longer waiting times,” he noted.
Alongside his surgical practice, Mahmoud is a clinical senior lecturer at The Rural Clinical School of Western Australia, where he advocates for rural healthcare and mentors future rural doctors.
“It’s great to start with medical students in their final years, as many are committed to working in rural areas after graduation,” he said.
“I encourage students to explore rural opportunities, as they often don’t realise the benefits and the strong community ties that exist in these regions.”
Mahmoud’s dedication to rural is also evident in his role as an elected member of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons WA State Committee, and Trauma Subcommittee, where he advocates for improved trauma care in rural settings.
Looking to the future, he is optimistic about expanding regional hospital capacities, including plans to develop an intensive care unit in Geraldton, which would further improve access to quality care in rural WA.
“My immediate goal is to establish aneurysm and bypass operations in Bunbury, marking a significant advancement for healthcare in the region,” he said.