From Palestine to the US to India, the UAE’s pioneering prosthetic program is transforming lives through cutting-edge osseointegration surgeries at Burjeel Medical City.
Abu Dhabi, August 27, 2025: Within three months of announcing the ‘10 Journeys’ initiative — a tribute to the courage of Sham and Omar, two children who survived the 2022 Syrian earthquake and were later treated at Burjeel Medical City (BMC) — the medical team led by internationally renowned orthopedic surgeon Prof. Dr. Munjed Al Muderis has successfully performed the first free, life-changing surgeries.
Three young men from Palestine, the United States, and India, each of whom suffered devastating accidents, were the first beneficiaries of the AED 4 million program launched by Dr. Shamsheer Vayalil, Founder and Chairman of Burjeel Holdings. Conducted at the Al Muderis Osseointegration Clinic in BMC, the beneficiaries were selected based on their medical needs and financial situations. Seven more individuals will undergo the procedure in the coming months.
Osseointegration is a breakthrough surgical technique that anchors prosthetic limbs directly to the skeleton, offering patients greater stability, improved comfort, and enhanced quality of life. Unlike traditional socket prosthetics, osseointegration eliminates discomfort and skin complications, while also providing osseoperception — the ability to sense surfaces through the prosthetic.
A Childhood Shattered, A Future Rebuilt
Anas Jebeihi lost his left leg and right eye at the age of 12 when a grenade exploded in his hands in the West Bank. The surgery in Abu Dhabi was a turning point for the 30-year-old. “When I got a call from Dr. Munjed’s team, I started dancing on the street. I knew it was going to be a life-changing moment,” he said.
Raised in the Tulkarm refugee camp, Anas endured years of hardship but pursued his education and is completing a master’s degree in electrical engineering. “My first prosthetic was in the UAE with the support of an initiative by His Highness Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and now my first osseointegration is also here. This country has become a place of healing for me. I want to use my story to show other amputees that advanced treatments like this can transform lives,” he added.
From the US to the UAE for a New Beginning
Joshua Arnold, 29, lost his right arm and vision in his left eye in a motorcycle accident in 2024. He traveled from Louisiana to Abu Dhabi with his fiancée, Alyssa, to undergo surgery. “This opportunity is truly life-changing. I knew I had to make this journey because it meant I would finally have a chance to live again,” Joshua said.
With socket prosthetics proving painful and limiting, osseointegration has given him renewed independence. Praising the UAE’s healthcare and compassion, he said, “From the moment I arrived, I was treated with respect and care.” Joshua will continue rehabilitation at the Paley Orthopedic & Spine Institute in Florida and plans to return to the UAE next year to celebrate his honeymoon.
A Decade of Struggle Ends in Hope
Sharon Cheriyan, 33, lost his right leg following a road accident in 2013. For more than a decade, he relied on a walking stick and struggled to find acceptance. He learned about osseointegration three years ago but could not afford it. The ‘10 Journeys’ Initiative became the turning point in his life. “One day, I got an email saying Dr. Shamsheer Vayalil has launched an initiative to provide free osseointegration surgeries. When I saw his name, I didn’t have a second thought. I knew this was my chance,” Sharon recalled.
His mother and cousin accompanied him to Abu Dhabi. “When I got here, I felt a sense of dignity. The care and compassion I experienced from the staff here were unlike anything I’ve seen before,” he said. Sharon, who helps run his family’s catering business in Kerala, hopes to rebuild his career and explore opportunities in the UAE.
Prof. Dr. Munjed Al Muderis has been at the forefront of osseointegration since performing his first independent surgery in 2009. Since then, he has successfully treated more than 1,200 amputees at his clinics in Australia.
“These are unique cases, and we are proud to support them. All these young patients have their good days ahead. In our initial clinical analysis of cases we have received, we found Anas, Joshua, and Sharon are the best match for the surgery. They are recovering well and will be on prosthetics and rehabilitation in the coming weeks,” said Prof. Dr. Munjed.
The selection committee is reviewing additional applications. The remaining surgeries will be conducted at BMC in the months ahead.
