Dr Umar Khitab arrived in the UK three years ago from Afghanistan.

He trained as a doctor in Russia and Pakistan. Before his arrival he had spent 10 years working as a consultant surgeon.

"I used to work in a tent because most of the hospitals in Afghanistan have been destroyed," he said.

The human anatomy and physiology is the same in Africa, Afghanistan or anywhere

"I have worked in a mobile unit too. We didn't have any basic supplies like gloves or drugs."

At the moment, Dr Khitab is working in an administrative post at the Walsgrave Hospital in Coventry.

The work has enabled him to earn the money that will help him to pay to sit the exams he will need to pass if he wants to work as a doctor in the UK.

It has also helped him to get a feel for life in a NHS hospital.

He works alongside consultants there during his own time to ensure his skills are being kept up-to-date.

'Talents'

He believes his talents could be used in the NHS.

"The human anatomy and physiology is the same in Africa, Afghanistan or anywhere," he said.

Dr Khitab believes bureaucracy is preventing him from resuming his medical career.

"When we come to this country we don't have any proper papers or documents and that is the reason for a lot of the delay in coming back to practice," he said.

But he suggested more should be done to help refugee doctors.

"Not only me but all of my colleagues, none of us planned to be in this situation."