Karachi: Dr. Asif Hasan, a visiting pediatric cardiac surgeon from Britain, emphasized the essential qualities required for success in the field of transplant surgery during a special lecture at the Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT) on Wednesday. Dr. Hasan, who has recently been honored with a lifetime achievement award, addressed an audience of surgeons and medical practitioners, highlighting the importance of passion, patience, and continuous learning in the pursuit of excellence.

According to Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation, Dr. Hasan's lecture, titled "Pursuit of Excellence-A Reflection from a Surgical Career," interspersed with poetic verses from Ghalib to Iqbal, reflected on his own journey as a transplant surgeon. He paid tribute to Prof. Adib Rizvi, the founding director of SIUT, for his contributions to renal transplantation in Pakistan. Dr. Rizvi attended the lecture as well.

Dr. Hasan, who has performed 400 heart transplants for children with complex heart conditions and contributed to over 4,000 major heart operations, stressed the importance of training young cardiac surgeons. He encouraged them to advance in their specialized field and explore new frontiers. He also shared his experiences in developing cardiac surgery services in various countries, including Pakistan.

Highlighting the need for continuous training, research, teamwork, and knowledge exchange, Dr. Hasan urged young surgeons to keep pace with advancements in their field. A former graduate of Dow Medical College Karachi, Dr. Hasan worked in a Newcastle hospital and received the British Lifetime Achievement Award for his services in 2026.