SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)

Providing comprehensive medical and therapeutic care through a multi-disciplinary team, Salma Rehabilitation Hospital in Abu Dhabi is making significant strides in long-term care and rehabilitation, offering a new lease of life to many young patients.

Speaking to Aletihad, Dr. Ashraf Abboud Elbatal, Consultant for Paediatrics at Salma Rehabilitation Hospital, said that at Salma, “every patient’s journey is a testament to resilience”.

With many patients arriving with severe conditions, unable to perform basic life activities, the hospital adopts a holistic approach from admission to reintegration, supported by a specialised, comprehensive rehabilitation programme that includes physical, occupational, speech and language, and respiratory therapy.

For Dr. Elbatal, the healing journeys of three young patients with complex conditions stand out: Salma, a two-year-old girl with a complex genetic disease; Mubarak, a two-year-old boy with severe seizures; and Hamad, a six-year-old boy diagnosed with Guillain-Barré Syndrome, a rare autoimmune condition that affects the nerves.

“Salma arrived in critical condition, fully dependent on mechanical ventilation 24/7. Over the course of several months, under the care of a dedicated multi-disciplinary team, she underwent a gradual weaning process and eventually had her tracheostomy successfully removed. Her condition improved significantly, and she was safely discharged home.”

Mubarak, after undergoing specialised care, experienced remarkable neurological improvement, enabling his discharge and reintegration into daily life, Dr. Elbatal said.

As for Hamad, he regained strength with intensive rehabilitation, and left the hospital walking with support – “a powerful moment for both his family and our team”, Dr. Elbatal recalled.

These recovery stories, he said, are not only milestones for the individuals involved but also powerful motivators for the hospital.

“Each recovery story brings hope. Families often see patients who were once in critical condition making full or partial recoveries, and that gives them faith in their own journey. It fosters a shared atmosphere of encouragement and possibility.”

Dr. Elbatal further stressed the crucial role of family in successful recoveries: “Family involvement is very important. Families are engaged in the care plan from day one, attending family meetings and therapy sessions, learning caregiving techniques, and providing emotional support.”

He added that their involvement boosts patient recovery and fosters trust between families and care teams.

The physician also highlighted the importance of emotional and psychological support in long-term recovery and a holistic rehabilitation journey.

“Emotional and psychological support is a daily part of our care. We offer both group and individual therapy sessions for patients and families. We also host events, celebrations, outdoor trips which promote emotional expression, social connection, and psychological wellbeing of our residents.”

Even after patients leave Salma, the relationship continues. “Many families stay in regular contact. Some patients return for follow-up consultations in our outpatient clinic, while others just visit their care teams who were a significant part of their healing,” he said.

Recovery journeys have deeply shaped Salma Hospital’s philosophy, Dr. Elbatal added. These stories reflect that care extends beyond medical factors and encompasses emotional, social, and human dynamics.

“Our team understands that we are not just treating conditions; we are rebuilding lives with compassion and dignity,” Dr. Elbatal said.

Elaborating on the hospital’s vision for future development and innovation, he noted that as a leading long-term care and rehabilitation provider in the UAE, the hospital continues to expand its capacity and services to cover a wide spectrum of conditions – from complex neurological disorders to ventilator care – across multiple geographic locations.

“We aim to remain at the forefront of specialised, patient- and family-centred long-term care and rehabilitation in the country and in the region.”