Today's Edition
SAMIHAH ZAMAN (ABU DHABI)
The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), the emirate’s health regulator, has announced a list of eminent physicians who are scheduled to offer treatment and consultations in Abu Dhabi this month (May).
The doctors will head to Abu Dhabi as part of the DoH Visiting Physicians Programme, providing care and support in wide range of medical specialties – including oncology, paediatric haematology and orthopaedic surgery – across Abu Dhabi’s healthcare facilities.
“The DoH welcomes top-tier doctors from around the world to the Emirate during May, offering exceptional healthcare services through the Visiting Physicians Programme,” the DoH announced.
Visiting Physicians
Among the doctors headed to Abu Dhabi as part of the programme is Dr. Denise Adams, Paediatric Haematologist-Oncologist, and Director of the Comprehensive Vascular Anomalies Programme at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. An expert in rare tumours and vascular treatment, Dr. Adams will be available at the Sheikh Khalifa Medical City between May 19 and 21.
Another cancer expert, Dr. Leslie Lehmann, International Medical Director for Haematology/Oncology/Bone Marrow Transplant at the Dana Farber and Boston Children's Hospital, ranked the top children’s hospital in the US, will see patients at the Yas Clinic Khalifa City between May 20 and 23.
In the field of orthopaedic medicine, Dr. Austin T. Fragomen, Consultant Orthopaedics and Limb Lengthening Surgeon at HSS Hospital New York, the top ranked orthopaedic hospital in the US, will offer services at the Healthpoint Hospital between May 19 and 23. Dr. Fragomen specialises in skeletal reconstruction, deformity correction, bone lengthening surgery, fracture care, and minimally invasive limb surgeries.
From the Paley Institute – another of the top orthopaedic care centres in the US – Dr. Dror Paley, Medical Director of the Division of Critical Care at the St. Mary Hospital, Paley Institute, and Prof. Munjed Al Muderis, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at St. Mary Hospital, Paley Institute, West Palm Beach, will head down to Burjeel Medical City in Abu Dhabi. The two physicians specialise in advanced orthopaedic care and surgery, including limb lengthening, amputation care, limb reconstruction, deformity correction, and bone cancer treatment. Dr. Paley will be available between May 25 to 30, whereas Prof. Al Muderis will visit between May 21 to 26.
Ocularist Paul Geelen, provider of eye implants and prosthetic eyes at the Artificial Eye Services Hospital in Perth, Australia, will see patients at Abu Dhabi’s Moorfield Eye Hospital between May 11 and 25.
Patients can directly contact the respective hospitals to book appointments, the DoH has urged.
Programme Milestones
As of December 2024, a total of 3,277 patients with rare and complex medical conditions have received care in Abu Dhabi from 37 visiting experts as part of the Visiting Physician Programme. Launched by the DoH in 2021, the programme aims to provide exceptional healthcare services by partnering with leading global health organisations. It has seen the completion of 372 successful surgeries in the emirate, including the first dorsal rhizotomy surgery, which is used in the treatment of children with cerebral palsy.
According to the DoH, the top five specialties offered by visiting practitioners in 2024 include paediatric haematology for bone marrow transplants; plastic surgery for lymphedema and brachial plexus, adult orthopaedic surgeries for complex ankle, foot, shoulder, hand and scoliosis, paediatric orthopaedic care for limb lengthening and limb deformities, and ophthalmology.
Of the 1,985 patients who sought treatment through the programme in 2024, 94% were successfully treated and did not need to travel abroad for treatment, the DoH has revealed.
In addition to the provision of consultative services, the programme has allowed for knowledge transfer, the enhancement of local expertise and post-surgical rehabilitation care, and the improvement of healthcare outcomes throughout Abu Dhabi.
