What happens when the doctor becomes the patient? That is the question at the centre of The White Coat’s Weight, the first novel by Dr Shahna Ali, Assistant Professor in the Department of Anaesthesiology at J.N. Medical College, AMU. The book was released at a ceremony at the AMU Staff Club.
What the novel is about
The story follows Dr Sana, a medical professional diagnosed with a serious chronic illness, as she moves from denial towards acceptance. Along the way it looks at how exposed doctors feel when they are on the other side of the treatment, the pressure of professional life, and how much family support and compassion count.
- Title: The White Coat’s Weight
- Author: Dr Shahna Ali, Department of Anaesthesiology, JNMC, AMU
- Publisher: Naamāk Publications
- Released at: AMU Staff Club
What the guests said
Prof. Nahid Azarmi Dukht Safavi, the Persian scholar, presided. She praised the book’s emotional honesty. “The novel gives voice to the unspoken vulnerabilities and inner lives of those dedicated to healing others, bringing together professional realities and deeply human emotions,” she said.
Also readSir Syed Day 2026: Kerala scholar traces Sir Syed’s influence on the Kerala Renaissance at AMU
Chief guest Prof. A. R. Kidwai said the themes would reach readers well outside medicine, and pointed to the poetic quality of the language and its roots in family values. Prof. Shafey Kidwai, Director of the Sir Syed Academy, spoke about how the book mixes the emotional side of medical work with storytelling, and welcomed creative writing coming out of academic departments.
Prof. Mohd Khalid, Dean, Faculty of Medicine, spoke about the emotional toll of clinical work and why doctors need resilience and compassion.
A family of writers
Among the other speakers was Prof. Ghazanfar Ali, the author’s father and a well known fiction writer. Dr Ali’s daughter, Insha, spoke about how her mother worked on the book. Prof. Asim Siddiqui and Prof. Sami Rafiq of the Department of English, Urdu fiction writer and critic Prof. Tariq Chhatari, Prof. Muhibul Haq of Political Science, Dr Lubna Zafar of the Department of Medicine and Dr Amina also spoke.
Dr Shariq Aqil conducted the programme. Dr Shahna Ali gave the vote of thanks and thanked her family, friends and publisher.
More faculty news: Prof. Nafees Ahmad Khan wins the JC Bose Gold Medal.
Source: AMU Public Relations Office, 22 October 2026.
