Renowned Pakistani surgeon honored with prestigious global medical award
Award celebrates Dr. Rizvi’s model of free, equitable healthcare that now serves over 1 million patients annually in Pakistan.
NEW DELHI, India (MNTV) — Renowned Pakistani transplant surgeon and humanitarian Dr. Adib Rizvi has been awarded the British Medical Journal (BMJ) Special Recognition Award for his lifelong contributions to ethical, accessible, and free healthcare in South Asia.
The award, presented at a ceremony in New Delhi, was received on Dr. Rizvi’s behalf by Dr. Sanjay Nagra, co-chair of the BMJ Advisory Board.
Dr. Nagra praised Rizvi’s legacy as a pioneer of a healthcare model “offering free, equitable, and accessible treatment in Pakistan,” describing it as an inspiration for developing nations.
Speaking virtually at the event, Dr. Rizvi thanked BMJ for the honor and called on South Asian countries to “look beyond political divisions” to improve public health for marginalized communities.
He also lauded BMJ’s longstanding role in advancing medical education and research globally.
Dr. Rizvi is the founder of the Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT) in Karachi — an institution that has grown from a modest eight-bed ward launched in 1970 to the largest urology, nephrology, and transplant center in South Asia.
Today, SIUT provides dialysis, cancer treatment, lithotripsy, and organ transplants entirely free of charge to more than one million patients annually.
His work not only redefined medical care in Pakistan but also set a benchmark in ethical practice.
He was instrumental in the drafting and enactment of the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act (2010), which legalized cadaveric organ donation and helped curb illegal organ trade across the country.
Dr. Rizvi’s efforts have been widely recognized. His previous honors include the Ramon Magsaysay Award (1998), WHO’s Shousha Prize (2008), the Hamdan Award for Volunteers in Humanitarian Medical Services (2004), and Pakistan’s Nishan-i-Imtiaz (2018) — the nation’s highest civilian award.
The BMJ Special Recognition Award, given annually by one of the world’s oldest and most respected medical journals, celebrates individuals and institutions advancing public health through excellence in research, clinical care, and policy.
As Pakistan’s healthcare system continues to grapple with challenges, Dr. Rizvi’s model remains a rare example of accessible, patient-centered public service — built not for profit, but for people.
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