Dr Ehsan Vaghefi, as depicted in Kiwi Health Heroes. Credit: Bateman Books

A new children’s book celebrates 29 New Zealanders who invented medical tools, led key health initiatives or revolutionised health care in some way. For a start, it tells us that a Timaru inventor created the first-ever disposable syringe!

Kiwi Health Heroes, written by Caitlin Timmer-Arends and Rebecca Waddell and illustrated by So-Young Cho, is a 72-page non-fiction book highlighting pioneers from 1862 to modern times and includes stories about nurses, inventors and rescuers.

The work of Toku’s Dr Ehsan Vaghefi is highlighted in the book, specifically his use of artificial intelligence to transform routine eye exams into comprehensive health screenings.

“I do not think that I deserve that title of hero! To be included alongside so many other Kiwi legends is just beyond imagination for me!“ said the now US-based Dr Vaghefi on his LinkedIn page. “I didn’t have much input, but the team there were amazing,” he told NZ Optics.

Former director-general of health Sir Ashley Bloomfield, who is featured for leading New Zealand’s Covid-19 response, said the book is intended to inspire children to forge their own path to a healthy future and maybe a health career.

Kiwi Health Heroes is out now, published by Bateman Books.