Asim Shabbir Singapore

Associate Professor Asim Shabbir Dr. Asim Shabbir serves as the Group Chief of Surgery at the National University Health System (NUHS), Singapore, and Head of the Department of Surgery at National University Hospital (NUH). He plays a pivotal role in strategic planning, clinical governance, and multidisciplinary collaboration, ensuring the highest standards of surgical care and patient safety across multiple institutions. As President of the International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders (IFSO) – Asia Pacific Chapter, he drives regional initiatives in metabolic and bariatric surgery. His administrative efforts also extend to surgical workforce development, quality improvement, and policy advisory roles at national and international levels. As a Senior Consultant in the Division of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery at NUH, Dr. Shabbir specializes in minimally invasive and robotic surgery for obesity, diabetes, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), upper gastrointestinal cancers and other upper gastrointestinal conditions. He is the Director of the Centre for Obesity Management and Surgery (COMS), where he leads comprehensive metabolic and bariatric surgery programs, integrating endoscopic, laparoscopic, and robotic approaches to optimize patient outcomes. His expertise in revision bariatric surgery and complex upper GI procedures makes him a sought-after expert in the field. A dedicated educator, Dr. Shabbir is an Associate Professor at the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (NUS) and Deputy Chairman of the MMed (Surgery) Committee. He is actively involved in postgraduate surgical training, curriculum development, and mentorship of residents, fellows, and clinician-scientists. He leads simulation-based training programs, international surgical workshops, and faculty development initiatives. His contributions to surgical education have been widely recognized, including receiving the IFSO Virtual Educator Award (2020). Dr. Shabbir is a leading researcher in metabolic and bariatric surgery, surgical oncology, and minimally invasive surgical innovations. With over 250 Journal publications, 64 conference papers, and 9 book chapters, his work has significantly influenced clinical practice, surgical techniques, and patient outcomes. He has been awarded multiple national and international research grants focusing on obesity, diabetes, novel surgical devices, and gastrointestinal diseases. His contributions extend to technology-driven surgical innovation, clinical trials, and translational research, with collaborations across academic, industrial, and medical technology sectors. He also serves as a reviewer and editorial board member for high-impact surgical journals, further shaping the field through scholarly contributions.