Dr. Belal Bin Asaf is a highly renowned, pioneering Thoracic (Chest) Surgeon and a national leader in minimally invasive and robotic chest interventions. He currently serves as the Director of the Institute of Chest Surgery, Chest Onco-Surgery & Lung Transplantation at Medanta Super Speciality Hospital, Noida and Medanta – The Medicity, Gurugram.
With over two decades of dedicated surgical experience, Dr. Asaf has been a cornerstone in building one of the largest and most comprehensive thoracic programs in India. He is widely recognized for his precision and innovative approach to complex, non-cardiac chest conditions. Patients hold him in high regard for his transparent clinical communication and deeply compassionate, patient-centered approach to critical thoracic diagnoses.
Dr. Asaf stands as one of the most experienced surgeons in the country for advanced robotic and keyhole chest procedures, having performed thousands of minimally invasive operations. His core surgical expertise includes:
- Robotic Thoracic Surgery: A true pioneer in India; widely recognized for performing the country’s first Robotic Sub-Xiphoid Thymectomy for Myasthenia Gravis and Thymoma. He has successfully completed over 500 robotic chest procedures.
- Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery (VATS / Key-Hole Surgery): Runs one of India’s largest keyhole surgery programs for lung cancer, including high-volume VATS Lobectomies and segmentectomies that facilitate faster recovery times.
- Thoracic Surgical Oncology: Specializes in treating malignant chest tumors, including lung cancer, thymoma, esophageal cancer, mediastinal tumors, and chest wall tumors.
- Mesothelioma Surgery: He is among an elite group of few surgeons in India who actively perform high-complexity Extra-Pleural Pneumonectomy for pleural mesothelioma.
- Airway and Diaphragmatic Interventions: Expert management of tracheal stenosis (windpipe narrowing), tracheobronchial tumors, and diaphragmatic disorders.
- Benign Chest Conditions: Expert surgical treatment for empyema thoracis, complex hemoptysis (coughing up blood), and recurrent pneumothorax.
Dr. Asaf has consistently driven academic and clinical innovation across key super-specialty institutions in India:
- Director – Institute of Chest Surgery, Chest Onco-Surgery & Lung Transplantation | Medanta Hospital, Noida & Gurugram (Current)
- Associate Director – Chest Surgery & Lung Transplantation | Medanta – The Medicity, Gurugram
- Consultant – Centre for Chest Surgery | Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi
- Clinical Registrar – General Thoracic Surgery Unit | All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi
Awards & Innovations
- Best Overall Video Presentation Award (2018): Conferred at the 26th European Society of Thoracic Surgeons (ESTS) Conference held in Ljubljana, Slovenia, for outstanding surgical innovation.
- KS Robotic Surgery Video Award (2016): Won 2nd prize at the Robotic Surgery Council Meeting organized by the Vattikutti Foundation in New Delhi.
- Surgical Milestones: Has successfully managed over 6,000+ satisfied patients and contributed to the first published Indian medical reports detailing successful robotic and VATS lobectomies.
Dr. Asaf’s academic background includes extensive training at premier domestic institutions alongside specialized international fellowships:
- M.S. (General Surgery): Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), Aligarh.
- M.B.B.S.: Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), Aligarh.
Advanced International Training & Fellowships
- Fellowship in Thoracic Surgery: Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul, South Korea.
- Observing Fellowship in VATS Lobectomy: Shanghai Chest Hospital (Shanghai, China) & Rigshospitalet (Copenhagen, Denmark).
- Advanced Training in Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy: Completed specialized training at the ESTS School Course in Copenhagen, Denmark.
- Certified Robotic Console Surgeon: Certified for the DaVinci Surgical System by the Ethicon Institute of Surgical Education, Chennai.
- Laser Applications Training: Trained in using specialized surgical lasers for thoracic metastasectomy at the 11th Annual Expert Meeting in Freiburg, Germany.
Professional Memberships
- Member, Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS, USA)
- Member, The European Society of Thoracic Surgeons (ESTS)
- Member, The International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC)
- Member, Association of Surgeons of India (ASI)
