President Asif Ali Zardari confers Pakistan’s civil award on UK-based surgeon recognised for pioneering minimally invasive kidney stone treatment
LONDON: British-Pakistani consultant urologist Dr Muhammad Shabi Ahmed has been honoured with Pakistan’s prestigious Tamgha-i-Imtiaz for his outstanding contributions to healthcare, medical education and charitable services in Pakistan, the United Kingdom and other developing countries.
President Asif Ali Zardari conferred the national civil award on Dr Ahmed as part of Pakistan’s honours programme, with the official Presidency record listing him among the recipients of the Tamgha-i-Imtiaz.
Dr Ahmed, a Consultant Urologist based in Birmingham and Professor of Urology, is recognised internationally for his pioneering work in minimally invasive kidney stone treatment, a technique that transformed the management of complex kidney stones by reducing recovery time and hospital stays for patients.
A graduate of Dow Medical College, Pakistan, Dr Ahmed completed advanced urological training in Newcastle, UK, specialising in endourology and stone disease. He later undertook specialist fellowships in the UK and Southeast Asia, developing expertise in advanced kidney stone procedures.
He was among a small group of specialists who helped pioneer a minimally invasive technique that allows surgeons to remove kidney stones measuring around 2cm through an incision of approximately 1cm. The procedure significantly reduces patient discomfort and can allow discharge within 24 hours compared with several days of hospitalisation required with earlier surgical methods.
Explaining the procedure, Dr Ahmed said the technique involves using a thin telescopic instrument called a nephroscope, which is inserted through a small incision into the kidney. The stone is then removed or broken into smaller fragments using laser or pneumatic energy.
Decades of Service in UK and Pakistan
Beyond his clinical achievements, Dr Ahmed has played an active role in strengthening healthcare services and medical training in Pakistan.
He serves as a Visiting/Honorary Professor at the Dow University of Health Sciences and the Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT). He has also held senior positions in the British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS), including Trustee and Vice President/Treasurer roles, becoming the first
