KARACHI: Renowned Pakistani-British pediatric cardiac surgeon Dr. Asif Hasan, recently honored with a prestigious British Lifetime Achievement Award for his outstanding contributions to pediatric cardiac transplantation, has praised the Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT) for its remarkable role in alleviating human suffering.
Delivering a special lecture titled “Pursuit of Excellence – A Reflection from a Surgical Career” at SIUT on Wednesday, Dr. Hasan shared his professional journey and highlighted the essential qualities required to achieve excellence in the highly specialized field of transplant surgery.
Addressing a gathering of surgeons and medical professionals, he emphasized that passion, patience, dedication, continuous learning and perseverance were fundamental to becoming a successful transplant surgeon.
Interspersing his lecture with poetic verses from Mirza Ghalib and Allama Iqbal, Dr. Hasan reflected on the challenges, achievements and experiences that shaped his distinguished surgical career.
He paid glowing tribute to SIUT's founding director, Professor Dr. Adib Rizvi, for his pioneering contributions to renal transplantation in Pakistan and his lifelong commitment to serving humanity. Professor Rizvi was also present on the occasion.
Dr. Hasan, who has performed approximately 400 heart transplants in children born with complex cardiac conditions and contributed to more than 4,000 major cardiac surgical procedures, stressed the importance of preparing the next generation of cardiac surgeons to meet emerging challenges.
He urged young surgeons not to limit themselves to existing surgical practices but to continuously explore new frontiers through innovation, research and advanced clinical training.
Highlighting his contributions to developing cardiac surgical services in various countries, including Pakistan, Dr. Hasan said teamwork, knowledge-sharing, international collaboration and keeping pace with technological advancements were essential for professional growth and improved patient outcomes.
He particularly emphasized the need to strengthen training opportunities for young cardiac surgeons to ensure that specialized cardiac care continues to advance and benefit patients suffering from complex heart diseases.
A graduate of Dow Medical College, Karachi, Dr. Hasan has served at a hospital in Newcastle, United Kingdom, and earned international recognition for his contributions to pediatric cardiac surgery and transplantation.
In recognition of his distinguished professional achievements and decades of dedicated service, he received the British Lifetime Achievement Award in 2026.
