Shahlaa Basim Ali, MD — Rheumatology Specialist in Baghdad, Iraq

DTDoctoury TeamDoctor Spotlights🕐 4 min read📅 Sep 17, 2026👁 1
Dr. Shahlaa Basim Ali
Dr. Shahlaa Basim Ali, Rheumatology Specialist in Baghdad

Shahlaa Basim Ali is an Iraqi physician and specialist in Rheumatology and Internal Medicine. Based in Baghdad, she is recognized for her comprehensive training and expertise in managing regional musculoskeletal and systemic autoimmune diseases. Her career reflects a commitment to advanced medical education, clinical practice in prominent Iraqi medical institutions, and contribution to rheumatological research and academic training.

Early Life and Education

Dr. Shahlaa Basim Ali completed her foundational medical training in Iraq, earning a Bachelor of Medicine and General Surgery (MBChB) from Baghdad University College of Medicine in 2013.

Her subsequent specialization journey in rheumatology is marked by several high-level academic and professional certifications:

Fellowship of the Iraqi Council for Medical Specializations in Rheumatology, Baghdad (2022).
Speciality Certificate Examination in Rheumatology (SCE) from the Royal College of Physicians and the British Society of Rheumatology (2021).
EULAR European Speciality Certificate for systemic lupus erythematosus (2023).
Membership of the Royal College of Physicians (MRCP), London (Part 1, 2 written, and PACES), achieved in July 2025.

Dr. Shahlaa Basim Ali is a member of the Iraqi Medical Association (since 2014) and the Iraqi League for Bone and Joint Health (since 2022). She also became a member of the Royal College of Physicians, London, in 2025.

Career and Achievements

Dr. Shahlaa Basim Ali's clinical career has been based in Baghdad, Iraq, with rigorous training across various medical subspecialties before concentrating on rheumatology.

Resident Doctor, Medical City, Baghdad (January 2014 to June 2016) — rotations in general medicine, surgery, and pediatrics at Baghdad Teaching Hospital, followed by 21 months at the Burn Center, Medical City.
Rheumatology Resident, Al-Shaheed Al-Sadr General Hospital, Baghdad (July 2016 to October 2017).
Resident Doctor, Iraqi Board of Rheumatology, Medical City, Baghdad (October 2017 to November 2022) — intensive rotational training across general medicine, cardiology, neurology, nephrology, respiratory medicine, hematology, endocrinology, gastroenterology, psychiatry, and dermatology, culminating in dedicated years of rheumatology training at Baghdad Teaching Hospital and physical medicine and rehabilitation centers.
Rheumatology Specialist (2023–present) at Al-Imamain Al-Kadhimain Medical City (since 2023) and the [Middle East Hospital](https://mehiq.com/) (since 2024) in Baghdad, applying advanced clinical skills in outpatient and inpatient settings, including procedures like joint aspiration and local injections.

Academic Experience

Dr. Shahlaa Basim Ali holds several roles in medical education in Iraq:

Clinical training for residents in rheumatology and rehabilitation at Al-Imamain Al-Kadhimain Medical City, as well as clinical training for postgraduate residents of the Iraqi and Arab Board of Medicine.
Participation in the exam committee and various examination formats (short and long case exams) at the College of Medicine, Al-Nahrain University, in 2023 and 2024.
Clinical training for undergraduate medical students at the College of Medicine, Al-Nahrain University (2024).

Research and Contributions

Dr. Shahlaa Basim Ali has contributed to the medical literature with peer-reviewed publications, often focusing on practical applications and diagnostics within rheumatology in an Iraqi and regional context.

Psoriatic arthritis management — listed as an author on "The APLAR Recommendations for the Management of Psoriatic Arthritis" (International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases, 2025), providing region-specific, evidence-based guidelines for the Asia-Pacific League of Associations for Rheumatology (APLAR) region.

Rheumatoid arthritis — co-authored "A 5 item version of the Workplace Activity Limitation Scale successfully identifies impaired work productivity in rheumatoid arthritis patients: A split-sample factor analysis approach" (International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases, 2023).

Rare disease case report — author of "Sinonasal immunoglobulin G4-related disease: a case report of an atypical and rare entity" (Journal of Medical Case Reports, 2024).

Certifications and Recognitions

Membership of the Royal College of Physicians (MRCP) (2025).
Fellowship of the Iraqi Council for Medical Specializations (2022).
EULAR European Speciality Certificate (2023).
Speaker role in the training course "Use of Anti-TNF in Different Rheumatic Diseases" (February 2020).

Teaching and Professional Leadership

Dr. Shahlaa Basim Ali's membership in the Iraqi League for Bone and Joint Health reflects her participation in national efforts to advance rheumatology education and patient care in Iraq. Her extensive role training both undergraduate medical students and postgraduate residents at institutions like Al-Nahrain University and Al-Imamain Al-Kadhimain Medical City has a direct impact on developing the next generation of Iraqi medical professionals.

Dr. Shahlaa Basim Ali has a verified profile on Doctoury and accepts bookings through the app. View her profile and book an appointment.

FAQ

What is Dr. Shahlaa Basim Ali's primary medical specialty?

Dr. Shahlaa Basim Ali is a specialist in Rheumatology and Internal Medicine.

Where does Dr. Shahlaa Basim Ali currently practice in Iraq?

She currently works as a Rheumatology specialist at Al-Imamain Al-Kadhimain Medical City and the Middle East Hospital in Baghdad.

What major international medical qualifications does she hold?

She holds the Membership of the Royal College of Physicians (MRCP) / London (2025) and the EULAR European Speciality Certificate.

What kind of clinical procedures is she skilled in?

She is skilled in various procedures, including joint aspiration and local injection of joints and tendons.

Can I book an appointment with Dr. Shahlaa Basim Ali through Doctoury?

Yes — Dr. Shahlaa Basim Ali has a verified profile on Doctoury and accepts bookings through the app.