Salman was appointed Professor of Surgery at the Baghdad Medical School in 1989 where he held many appointments including that of vice dean of the Medical School, chairman of the scientific council for surgery, and deputy chairman of the Iraqi commission for postgraduate training. He coordinated the primary FRCS examination when it was held in Iraq and was widely respected by visiting members of the Court of Examiners. His wife, Miss Aloosi was a consultant gynaecologist. Of their four children, one became a surgeon and another a gynaecologist. He died from the complications of open heart surgery on 22 July 1999.