Leading British-Pakistani consultant urologist Dr Muhammad Shabi Ahmed, credited as one of the pioneers of a minimally invasive kidney stone removal procedure in the United Kingdom, has been awarded Pakistan's Medal of Excellence (Tamgha-i-Imtiaz) for outstanding public services in the UK and Pakistan spanning nearly three decades. The award was conferred on Dr Ahmed by President Asif Ali Zardari as part of Pakistan's national civil awards, with the official Presidency record confirming him among the recipients of the Tamgha-i-Imtiaz. Dr Ahmed is a Consultant Urologist in Birmingham, UK, and a Professor of Urology, serving as a Visiting/Honorary Professor at Dow University of Health Sciences and the Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT).
He has held senior professional positions, including Trustee and Vice President/Treasurer of the British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS), becoming the first Pakistani graduate to serve on the BAUS Council in its 80-year history. A graduate of Dow Medical College in Pakistan, Dr Ahmed completed his higher surgical training in urology in Newcastle, with a particular focus on endourology and stone disease. He subsequently undertook advanced endourological training and fellowships in the UK and at high-volume specialist centres in Southeast Asia.
Dr Ahmed made his name in the UK as part of a small group of specialists who pioneered a minimally invasive procedure for removing kidney stones using a thin telescopic instrument called a nephroscope. The technique enables surgeons to remove a kidney stone of around 2cm through an incision of approximately 1cm, making the procedure less invasive and allowing patients to be discharged within 24 hours compared to traditional hospital stays of up to five days.
In addition to his clinical work, Dr Ahmed has been extensively involved in charitable healthcare initiatives across Pakistan. He serves as a trustee and UK representative of SIUT and as a UK representative of the Indus Health Network, while also supporting medical education and postgraduate training as an examiner for the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan (CPSP). Expressing his gratitude, Dr Ahmed thanked the state of Pakistan for recognising his services, stating that receiving the prestigious national award from his country of birth is a profound honour.