Who We Are
Profile of Birth Defects Foundation (BDF)
Legal Registration and Recognition
The Birth Defects Foundation (BDF) was officially registered in 2017 under the Societies Act of 1860. Following its registration, it was also recognized by the Charity Commission and the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) as a legitimate nonprofit organization.
Mission and Focus Areas
BDF is dedicated to the treatment and surgical care of children with more than 18 types of congenital anomalies, with a special emphasis on:


Congenital Conditions and Their Prevention
Congenital Conditions and Their Prevention
- Intersex Conditions
Atypical development of sexual characteristics present at birth. - Cleft Lip and Palate
Congenital gaps or openings in the upper lip and/or roof of the mouth. - Meningocele / Myelomeningocele
Birth defects involving the spinal cord and vertebrae, often referred to as spina bifida. - Hydrocephalus
Abnormal accumulation of fluid in the brain at or after birth, causing head enlargement. - Intestinal Atresia
Congenital blockage or absence of a portion of the intestine. - Hirschsprung’s Disease
A birth defect where nerve cells are missing in the bowel, leading to intestinal obstruction. - Meconium Ileus
Blockage of the intestine caused by thick meconium, often linked to cystic fibrosis. - Imperforate Anus
Absence or improper development of the anal opening in newborns. - Inguinal Hernia and Hydrocele
Swelling or bulging in the groin area, often due to fluid or intestine pushing through. - Hypospadias
A condition where the opening of the urethra is not located at the tip of the penis. - Undescended Testes (Cryptorchidism)
One or both testicles fail to descend into the scrotum before birth. - Clubfoot (TalipesEquinovarus)
A birth defect where one or both feet are twisted out of shape or position. - Acute Appendicitis in Children
Inflammation of the appendix requiring prompt medical attention. - Burn Injuries in Children
Prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation for pediatric burn cases. - Neonatal Jaundice
Yellowing of the skin and eyes in newborns due to high bilirubin levels. - Vomiting in Neonates
Causes and management of persistent vomiting in newborns. - Rectal Bleeding in Children
Identification and treatment of bleeding from the rectum in pediatric patients. - Neonatal Tetanus
A serious bacterial infection causing muscle stiffness and spasms in newborns.
Lifelong Support for CAH Patients
CAH patients require two essential medications — Hydrocortisone and Fludrocortisone — for their entire lives. BDF proudly provides these medications 100% free of charge, regardless of the family’s financial background.
“Care Foundation USA provides comprehensive virtual outpatient consultations for CAH patients of the Birth Defects Foundation, assisting with medication dose adjustments directly from the USA.”
National Network of Centers
BDF currently operates five fully functional centers across Pakistan:
- Two centers in Lahore
- One each in Karachi, Rawalpindi, and Bahawalpur
To address the research gap on CAH, BDF established Pakistan’s first dedicated CAH Research Center in Bahawalpur.
Breakthrough Medical and Surgical Services – Completely Free for Everyone
- Over 17,000 surgeries performed for children born with cleft lips and palates
- More than 331 gender-affirming or corrective surgeries conducted for children with ambiguous genitalia
- Monthly support to over 300 families for free access to essential CAH medications
Free Outpatient Services
BDF offers completely free General OPD services across all its centers, including:
- Medical consultations
- Prescription medications
- Ultrasound diagnostics
To date, BDF has served:
- Over 700,000 patients through its general OPD
- More than 6,000 free ultrasounds
No consultation fees or charges are ever collected at any stage.
Rehabilitation & Empowerment Project
To promote long-term independence, BDF has launched an inclusive “Rehabilitation and Empowerment” initiative. This program trains:
- Intersex and transgender individuals
- Children with cleft conditions
- Orphans
- General public
Training Areas Include:
- Social media management
- Graphic design and video editing
- Web development
- Digital skills for self-employment
Participants are not only trained but also supported in launching their own businesses — empowering them to become entrepreneurs and leaders.
Educational Advocacy and Curriculum Development
Recognizing the lack of medical education on intersex health and gender dysphoria, BDF — with support from its Advisory Board — has designed a specialized academic course. This course has been presented to:
- Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, Chairman of the Higher Education Commission (HEC)
The aim is to integrate this course into BS/MS level university curricula, cultivating a new generation of informed, empathetic healthcare providers equipped to serve marginalized communities.