Social Media Awareness Leads to Timely Medical Guidance and Hope for Young Patients
April 21, 2025
Prominent National and International Delegations Visit Birth Defects Foundation: Collaborative Efforts Highlighted for Transgender and Intersex Healthcare in Pakistan
April 24, 2025
Professor Dr. Muhammad Afzal Sheikh
Chief Surgeon & Founder – Birth Defects Foundation
Chairman – Lahore Cleft Lip & Palate Welfare Society
Professional Profile
Professor Dr. Muhammad Afzal Sheikh is a renowned pediatric surgeon with over four decades of exceptional service, leadership, and innovation in the field of pediatric surgery. As the Founder and Chief Surgeon of the Birth Defects Foundation, he has dedicated his life to providing free surgical care to children born with congenital anomalies across Pakistan.
He holds the prestigious qualifications of MCPS and FCPS, and completed a Senior Fellowship in Pediatrics Surgery under the Colombo Plan in 1991 from Singapore.
Unparalleled Humanitarian Service
Dr. Afzal Sheikh has performed over 17,000 cleft lip and palate surgeries and more than 331 intersex surgeries — marking one of the largest charitable surgical initiatives in the region under the banner of the Birth Defects Foundation. His unwavering mission is to provide compassionate, high-quality surgical care entirely free of cost, ensuring that no child is denied treatment due to financial hardship.
Academic & Teaching Excellence
With 24 years of experience as a consultant and 17 years as a professor, Dr. Sheikh has held senior faculty positions at some of Pakistan’s leading medical institutions:
- Rashid Latif Medical College, Lahore – Professor, Pediatrics Surgery (2013–2024)
- The Children’s Hospital, Lahore – Professor, Pediatrics Surgery (2005–2012)
- King Edward Medical College, Lahore – Professor, Pediatrics Surgery (1999–2005)
- Nishtar Medical College, Multan – Professor/Associate Professor (1990–1999)
- PGMI & DHQ, Faisalabad – Senior Registrar and PG President
- Nishtar Hospital, Multan – Registrar, Pediatrics Surgery (1977–1980)
Books Authored
- Atlas of Pediatrics Surgery
- The Surgical Diseases of Children (in Urdu)
- Intersex Anomalies – A Clinical Handbook
Research & Publications
Dr. Sheikh has published over 15 peer-reviewed research papers in national and international journals, covering topics such as hypospadias repair, anorectal malformations, congenital anomalies, head injuries in children, and advanced laparoscopic techniques.
International Representation
He has presented his work at numerous international conferences in Malaysia, Turkey, Thailand, and more, sharing experiences on complex cases including CAH, esophageal atresia, conjoined twins, and minimally invasive surgery in children.
Workshops & Symposia Organized
- Surgical workshops on Cleft Lip & Palate, Hypospadias Repair, Laparoscopy, and Intersex Surgery
- Intensive clinical care courses in collaboration with Singapore General Hospital
- Annual symposiums at The Children’s Hospital & Institute of Child Health, Lahore
Legacy of Impact
Dr. Muhammad Afzal Sheikh’s tireless commitment to surgical care, medical education, and social advocacy for children with birth defects continues to inspire the next generation of paediatric surgeons. His legacy is one of compassion, excellence, and groundbreaking humanitarian work.
Professor Dr. Muhammad Afzal Sheikh
Chief Surgeon & Founder – Birth Defects Foundation
Chairman – Lahore Cleft Lip & Palate Welfare Society
Professional Profile
Professor Dr. Muhammad Afzal Sheikh is a renowned pediatric surgeon with over four decades of exceptional service, leadership, and innovation in the field of pediatric surgery. As the Founder and Chief Surgeon of the Birth Defects Foundation, he has dedicated his life to providing free surgical care to children born with congenital anomalies across Pakistan.
He holds the prestigious qualifications of MCPS and FCPS, and completed a Senior Fellowship in Pediatrics Surgery under the Colombo Plan in 1991 from Singapore.
Unparalleled Humanitarian Service
Dr. Afzal Sheikh has performed over 17,000 cleft lip and palate surgeries and more than 331 intersex surgeries — marking one of the largest charitable surgical initiatives in the region under the banner of the Birth Defects Foundation. His unwavering mission is to provide compassionate, high-quality surgical care entirely free of cost, ensuring that no child is denied treatment due to financial hardship.
Academic & Teaching Excellence
With 24 years of experience as a consultant and 17 years as a professor, Dr. Sheikh has held senior faculty positions at some of Pakistan’s leading medical institutions:
- Rashid Latif Medical College, Lahore – Professor, Pediatrics Surgery (2013–2024)
- The Children’s Hospital, Lahore – Professor, Pediatrics Surgery (2005–2012)
- King Edward Medical College, Lahore – Professor, Pediatrics Surgery (1999–2005)
- Nishtar Medical College, Multan – Professor/Associate Professor (1990–1999)
- PGMI & DHQ, Faisalabad – Senior Registrar and PG President
- Nishtar Hospital, Multan – Registrar, Pediatrics Surgery (1977–1980)
Books Authored
- Atlas of Pediatrics Surgery
- The Surgical Diseases of Children (in Urdu)
- Intersex Anomalies – A Clinical Handbook
Research & Publications
Dr. Sheikh has published over 15 peer-reviewed research papers in national and international journals, covering topics such as hypospadias repair, anorectal malformations, congenital anomalies, head injuries in children, and advanced laparoscopic techniques.
International Representation
He has presented his work at numerous international conferences in Malaysia, Turkey, Thailand, and more, sharing experiences on complex cases including CAH, esophageal atresia, conjoined twins, and minimally invasive surgery in children.
Workshops & Symposia Organized
- Surgical workshops on Cleft Lip & Palate, Hypospadias Repair, Laparoscopy, and Intersex Surgery
- Intensive clinical care courses in collaboration with Singapore General Hospital
- Annual symposiums at The Children’s Hospital & Institute of Child Health, Lahore
Legacy of Impact
Dr. Muhammad Afzal Sheikh’s tireless commitment to surgical care, medical education, and social advocacy for children with birth defects continues to inspire the next generation of paediatric surgeons. His legacy is one of compassion, excellence, and groundbreaking humanitarian work.
