Balaaj is from Lancashire, UK, and graduated MBChB (Hons) from the University of Manchester, gaining clinical skills and insight into how social factors affect health. Growing up amid inequality shaped his commitment to fairness and public service, guiding his journey from medicine to politics and policy. Balaaj believes leadership must be close to the challenges it seeks to solve, listening to people as citizens and communities. Working in the NHS, especially in A&E and General Practice, Balaaj saw how prevention, education, and social policy are key to health outcomes. As chair of a widening access programme, Balaaj supported disadvantaged students entering medical school, driven by the belief that talent is universal but opportunity is not. He is also active in youth and mental health advocacy, pushing for integrated, responsive services. Balaaj's policy focus is on health and education, aiming to build compassionate, equitable systems that ensure beneficial societal and generational change. Balaaj is a Political Leadership scholar.