Azhar Shabbir
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Biography
Dr. Azhar Shabbir is Chief of the Department of Surgery at Al-Najaf Al-Ashraf Teaching Hospital – Policlinico San Donato (GSD).
Dr. Shabbir leads and performs advanced laparoscopic and minimally invasive surgeries while spearheading the development of specialized programs in oncology, hepatobiliary, bariatric, and acute care surgery. With extensive expertise in upper gastrointestinal, hepatobiliary, and general surgery, he champions innovative surgical techniques and delivers comprehensive patient care.
As the Country Advisor for the Royal College of Surgeons of England, Dr. Shabbir contributes to international surgical governance, sharing insights gained from decades of experience in general and upper GI surgery. This role underscores his commitment to advancing surgical standards globally and supporting peers worldwide, ensuring that collective expertise translates into improved patient outcomes across borders.
Currently, Dr. Shabbir leads the surgical departments at Al-Najaf Teaching Hospital, a nearly 500-bed facility with 18 operating theatres, under a multi-year management contract. He provides strategic oversight of surgical operations, ensuring compliance with international quality standards while enhancing patient outcomes. In addition, he has initiated measures to optimize operating theatre efficiency, improving productivity and resource management, and implements continuous monitoring and performance evaluation for surgeons and staff to promote professional development and ongoing training.
Dr. Shabbir has also served as Chief Organising Officer and Chair of the First Najaf Medical Conference.
Dr. Azhar Shabbir is an invited speaker and moderator at major national and international congresses in upper GI, hepatobiliary, and general surgery. He serves as a reviewer for numerous journals, including Cureus from Springer Nature, and is an active member of multiple international surgical societies.
His current professional portfolio includes:
- Country Advisor, Royal College of Surgeons, England
- Level 2 Educational and Clinical Supervisor, Higher Surgical Trainees, Health Education England (HEE), Northwest, England
- Advisor CAAC, Royal College of Surgeons, England
- Senior Surgical Tutor, Jaber Bin Hyyan Medical University
- Lead Quality and Audit, Acute Care Surgery, Hamad Medical Corporation, Qatar
- Certificate in Senior Clinical Leadership, National Leadership Council, Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, UK
- Academic Assessor, Association of Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland
- Member, Association of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeons and British Organization of Metabolic Surgeons
- Member, Association of Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland (ASGBI)
- Member, UK Society of Enhanced Recovery (ERAS)
- MRCS Examiner
Dr. Shabbir has presented his work at numerous international conferences, including:
“Initial Experience of Single Incision Laparoscopic Liver Resection,” 24th International Congress of the EAES
“Outcome of Acute Cholecystectomies in a DGH,” GBIHPBA
“Balloon-less Extraperitoneal Laparoscopic Femoral Hernia Repair,” 25th EAES Congress, London
“Acute Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy to Support Emergency Biliary Disease,” Doctors Academy 5th International Academic and Research Conference
“Audit of Hot Gall Bladder Service,” Mary Duguid Memorial Prize, Birkenhead
“Management of CBD Stones,” Merseyside Regional Upper GI Teaching Day
“Emergency Surgery – Redefining a Service,” Regional Presentation, Arrowe Park Hospital
“Surgical Management of Upper GI Haemorrhage,” Arrowe Park Hospital
“Management of Abdominal and Liver Trauma,” Arrowe Park Hospital
“Laparoscopic TEP Hernia Repair,” Merseyside Regional Teaching Day
“Management of Shock and Massive Haemorrhage,” Arrowe Park Hospital
“Surgical Career and Postgraduate Training,” Pakistan Naval Medical Conference
“Laparoscopic Incisional Hernia Repair,” National Conference, Society of Surgeons Pakistan
“Management of CBD Injuries,” Clinico-Pathology Conference, PNS Shifa Hospital Regional Conference
“Future of Minimal Invasive Surgery in Pakistan,” Pakistan Naval Medical Conference
“Management of Burn Injuries,” Pakistan Armed Forces Trauma Conference
“Bronchial Carcinoid,” Clinico-Pathological Conference, Armed Forces Post Graduate Medical Institute
“Irritable Bowel Syndrome,” 10th International Gastrointestinal Conference, Lahore, Pakistan (2nd Prize)
Education
FRCS (England), CCT - Royal College of Surgeons of England
FRCS (ICB) - Intercollegiate Specialty Board, UK & Ireland
FRCS (Ireland) – Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
MRCS (ICB) – Intercollegiate Specialty Board, UK & Ireland
FCPS, General Surgery – Fellowship of the College of Physicians and Surgeons
Diploma in General Surgery – Postgraduate Medical Institute (AFPGMI)
MBBS (1994) – Quaid-e-Azam University
Registration of multiple international medical registration authorities including:
GMC (UK) – Specialist Register in General Surgery, Registration No. 7031943
QCHP (Qatar Council for Healthcare Practitioners) – Registration No. P12748, General Surgery
Dubai Health Authority – Consultant General Surgery, Registration No. 36115685
Clinical Leadership Qualifications:
Leadership for Clinicians: Clinical Leadership (CLE) – Academy of Medical Royal Colleges (UK) & eIntegrity
Senior Clinical Leadership Certification – Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, UK
Consultant Leadership Course – King’s Fund, London (2018)
Publications
Dr. Azhar Shabbir’s research focuses on the development of new therapeutic strategies for patients with complex biliary and pancreatic diseases, with particular interest in surgical oncology and emergency surgery. He has also contributed to TUGS (The Upper GI Surgery) multinational audits, including studies on CBD stone emergency care and emergency laparotomies.
Research and Academic Work
Research Thesis (FCPS Fellowship): Indications and Findings of Diagnostic Laparoscopy in Ca Stomach at CMH Rawalpindi
Randomised Controlled Trial: Single Port Appendicectomy Scarless Group Randomised Trial (2010–2011)