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:

Conjoined Twins with CAH Disease – A Unique and Extraordinary Case in the History of Birth Defects Foundation, Currently Under Treatment under the Supervision of Professor Dr. Afzal Sheikh and Chairman BDF Anser Javaid.
A young individual from Gilgit, whose gender was unclear, could not seek medical treatment due to a lack of awareness and knowledge. During their first visit, they met with Chairman Anser Javaid.

Congenital Conditions and Their Prevention

Congenital Conditions and Their Prevention

  1. Intersex Conditions
    Atypical development of sexual characteristics present at birth.
  2. Cleft Lip and Palate
    Congenital gaps or openings in the upper lip and/or roof of the mouth.
  3. Meningocele / Myelomeningocele
    Birth defects involving the spinal cord and vertebrae, often referred to as spina bifida.
  4. Hydrocephalus
    Abnormal accumulation of fluid in the brain at or after birth, causing head enlargement.
  5. Intestinal Atresia
    Congenital blockage or absence of a portion of the intestine.
  6. Hirschsprung’s Disease
    A birth defect where nerve cells are missing in the bowel, leading to intestinal obstruction.
  7. Meconium Ileus
    Blockage of the intestine caused by thick meconium, often linked to cystic fibrosis.
  8. Imperforate Anus
    Absence or improper development of the anal opening in newborns.
  9. Inguinal Hernia and Hydrocele
    Swelling or bulging in the groin area, often due to fluid or intestine pushing through.
  10. Hypospadias
    A condition where the opening of the urethra is not located at the tip of the penis.
  11. Undescended Testes (Cryptorchidism)
    One or both testicles fail to descend into the scrotum before birth.
  12. Clubfoot (TalipesEquinovarus)
    A birth defect where one or both feet are twisted out of shape or position.
  13. Acute Appendicitis in Children
    Inflammation of the appendix requiring prompt medical attention.
  14. Burn Injuries in Children
    Prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation for pediatric burn cases.
  15. Neonatal Jaundice
    Yellowing of the skin and eyes in newborns due to high bilirubin levels.
  16. Vomiting in Neonates
    Causes and management of persistent vomiting in newborns.
  17. Rectal Bleeding in Children
    Identification and treatment of bleeding from the rectum in pediatric patients.
  18. 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.

 

Our Story

About Us

Facebook Twitter Google-plus