Rather than worrying about each other, they were able to heal together

They say couples' hearts beat as one — and this could just be the case for UAE residents Naveed Ahmed Sheikh and Zarqa Sheikh, who both underwent major heart surgeries two days apart.

They didn't know they both have heart problems. Naveed, 62, experienced tightness in his chest each time he stepped out for a long walk, and his wife Zarqa, 51, had asthma and struggled with spells of dizziness and shortness of breath.

“I was shocked when I learned I had to undergo an aortic valve replacement," said Naveed, whose echocardiogram results revealed he had severe aortic stenosis. This is a condition where the aortic valve had narrowed and blood couldn't flow normally.

Worried about his wife's health, too, he encouraged her to undergo the same test.

"In a few moments, our lives changed completely," he said.

"Zarqa was diagnosed with a mitral valve condition, which also required a valve replacement,” said Naveed.

Challenging road ahead

Cardiologists at Burjeel Hospital in Abu Dhabi recommended that they both undergo heart surgery as soon as possible.With their procedures scheduled just two days apart, the couple prepared for the challenging road ahead.

“We first conducted the aortic valve replacement in the husband to replace the main valve between the heart and the body," said Dr Tarig Elhassan, head of department and cardiac surgery specialist at Burjeel Hospital.

"Two days later, we performed the mitral valve replacement for the wife. The procedures went well, and they were discharged after a week."

As they recover side by side, Naveed and Zarqa have found comfort in each other’s presence. “Our shared experience of diagnosis, surgery, and recovery has strengthened our bond,” said Zarqa.

“By the time I was out of surgery, she had gone in. Rather than worrying about each other, we were able to heal together,” said Naveed.

Read more: khaleejtimes

‘Our wise leadership is strengthening preventive health care and cooperation with all countries in this field,’ said the Minister while opening the MENA Congress for Rare Diseases.

Abu Dhabi, Thursday 16 May 2024: In the presence and under the patronage of H.E. Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Cabinet Member and Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, the MENA Congress for Rare Diseaseshas commenced in Abu Dhabi. The four-day event brings together 141 speakers, including 51 international experts, from 27 countries. The MENA Congress for Rare Diseases is held in partnership with Burjeel Medical City (BMC), which is the flagship facility of Burjeel Holdings. The largest event in the field, the congress comprises 41 sessions covering a wide range of topics including recent research, advancements in diagnostics and therapeutics, regional experiences, and challenges related to rare diseases.

Sheikh Nahyan, in his inaugural address, emphasized the UAE’s strong commitment to public health and advancing medical knowledge. “Under the leadership of His Highness the President, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, we, in the UAE, are committed to preventing disease, as well as treating it and caring for patients with empathy and compassion. Our approach is comprehensive: we want to promote preventive care against the conditions that cause disease. At the same time, we are always searching for effective ways to diagnose, treat and manage disease, whether common or rare.” 

Sheikh Nahyan focused on the need for partnerships across sectors and regional and international cooperation to combat rare diseases. Speaking to the delegates, he said, “I also share in your conviction that we need an effective regional strategy where combating rare diseases is a national and regional health priority. Such a strategy must be focused and comprehensive: superior medical personnel and first-rate health facilities are essential components. We must also increase public knowledge about these diseases and make people aware of the common risk factors. We must assist patients in learning how to live with a rare disease. Physicians are on the front line of the fight against rare diseases and must embrace patient education as a key part of their role.”

“I am delighted that BMC, with the guidance of Dr. Shamsheer Vayalil, is demonstrating its leadership in our country’s medical sector by hosting this congress. The launch of their project NADER here today also signals their determination to be the best in the field of treating rare diseases,” added Sheikh Nahyan. He also acknowledged the Department of Health - Abu Dhabi’s support in expanding healthcare capabilities and backing impactful initiatives. 

Professor Ayman El-Hattab, the congress chairman, and Professor Khaled Musallam, Group Chief Research Officer of Burjeel Holdings and the congress’ scientific committee head, briefed the Minister on the congress agenda.

“In the UAE and under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, we have become more aware of the optimal strategy to handle rare disorders, and collaborative research to develop new and curative therapies. BMC further strengthens this commitment through our Center for Research on Rare Blood Disorders (CR-RBD), which has made considerable contributions to improving our understanding of rare hematologic conditions and developing new treatment options through global clinical trials. These efforts, designed to improve the outcomes of patients with rare blood disorders, perfectly align with the goals of this congress,” said Dr. Shamsheer Vayalil, Founder and Chairman of Burjeel Holdings.

Engaging Participation

Rare diseases affect at least 5% of the population, and the MENA (Middle East and North African) region has a higher prevalence of rare diseases. The congress agenda was crafted to be comprehensive and inclusive of the majority of rare disorders and focuses on highlighting key unmet needs and potential solutions through best clinical practices and research. More than 1,100 attendees are present at the congress, representing 38 countries, including physicians, students, researchers, representatives of laboratories, pharmaceutical companies and healthcare institutions, along with patients and their families. The congress which began on Thursday will end on Sunday. 

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Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - February 26, 2024: During a celebration held on the occasion of International Childhood Cancer Day, which falls on February 15 of each year, the continuous cooperation between the "Make A Wish" foundation, the Ministry of Interior, and Burjeel Medical City contributed to granting the wishes of 6 children, aged between 4 and 14 years old, suffering from cancer and undergoing treatment at Burjeel Medical City, the leading quaternary hospital under the Burjeel Holding Company.

The ceremony was attended by Colonel Mohammed Butti Al Shamsi, Director of the Public Relations Department at the Ministry of Interior; Rola Abu Mannah, Board Member of the "Make A Wish" foundation; Hani Al Zubeidi, CEO of the "Make A Wish" foundation; Ibrahim Abu Ghaida, Chief Medical Officer at Burjeel Medical City; the medical and administrative staff at Burjeel Medical City; in addition to the Happiness Police and cartoon police characters, and the families of the children.

The wishes of the children varied between performing Umrah, obtaining iPad Pro and iPhone devices, electronic police cars, small ambulance cars, and going shopping to buy toys, in a ceremony organized by the foundation in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior at the Burjeel Medical City building, amidst a wonderful celebratory atmosphere featuring a magical performance by the world-renowned magician "Drummond Money-Coutts", who presented an interactive and astonishing mix of card magic and mind reading during the granting of the children's wishes, as well as cake cutting and taking commemorative photos.

Hani Al Zubeidi, CEO of the "Make A Wish" foundation, stated: "The efforts of the world converge on February 15 to raise societal awareness about the seriousness of childhood cancer and to call for combating this fierce disease and contributing together to saving millions of lives annually by increasing awareness among individuals and governments in all countries of the world about cancer, in addition to correcting misconceptions and common myths about the disease." He added: "Our celebration of this day aims to bring happiness, joy, and feelings of optimism to the hearts of some of our sick children and their families, and to inform them that their struggles with the disease can be accompanied by hope that their small and big dreams and wishes alike are supported by large support and kind-hearted individuals who seek to illuminate the bright future ahead of them."

Al Zubeidi expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the Ministry of Interior and to the philanthropists for their continuous cooperation and support, and to the management of "Burjeel Medical City" in Abu Dhabi for their distinguished care for the patients.

Colonel Mohammed Butti Al Shamsi, Director of the Public Relations Department at the Ministry of Interior, emphasized the importance of community participation and enhancing partnerships in support of efforts to protect the community and provide a safe and healthy environment for all its members, pointing out that the Ministry of Interior cooperates with all national institutions in

supporting community initiatives that contribute to enhancing the quality of life for the UAE community.

On his part, Ibrahim Abu Ghaida, Chief Medical Officer at Burjeel Medical City, said: "Seeing these wishes come true fills our hearts with great happiness. It is a great honor to stand with these brave children and their families and remind them that even in the face of adversity, dreams can come true." He added: "We want to spread feelings of reassurance in the hearts of all families that we are committed to standing by them and supporting them on this journey. We also take this opportunity to remind everyone of the importance of early detection, receiving treatment, and community support in combating childhood cancer."

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About Make A Wish Foundation:

A non-profit organization licensed by the Ministry of Community Development in the United Arab Emirates, headquartered in Abu Dhabi, with a noble humanitarian strategy aimed at granting the wishes of children suffering from life-threatening illnesses in general. So far, more than 6,700 wishes have been granted for sick children inside and outside the UAE suffering from serious illnesses, without discrimination based on gender, language, religion, or creed.

About Burjeel Medical City:

Burjeel Medical City, located in Mohammed Bin Zayed City - Abu Dhabi, is the primary medical facility of the Burjeel Holding Group. The hospital seeks excellence in healthcare by providing the latest specialized medical devices in medical technology. The hospital is also one of the few in the region to include comprehensive pediatric subspecialties such as childhood tumors, gastrointestinal diseases, neurology, and neonatology.

In an extraordinary journey spanning continent, 26-year-old Maria Victoria travelled to Abu Dhabi to undergo the procedure when she was 26 weeks pregnant.

Abu Dhabi: Maria Victoria and her husband Gomez Sotelo were eagerly awaiting the arrival of their first child, but their joy turned to heartbreak during a routine scan at 23-24 weeks’ gestation when doctors discovered that their unborn baby had spina bifida, a birth defect affecting the spinal cord. The couple met doctors in their home country, who suggested an in-utero spina bifida repair to give their child the best chance at a healthy life. However, the main challenge before the couple was to undergo the procedure as early as possible because of the advanced gestation.

“My doctors recommended The Kypros Nicolaides Fetal Medicine and Therapy Center at Burjeel Medical City (BMC) in Abu Dhabi. After extensive research, I realized that it was important for my baby to undergo this procedure whilst inside the womb as soon as possible. This procedure would prevent damage to the brain and urinary bladder and improve my baby’s chances of being able to walk independently,” said 26-year-old Maria.

Given the urgency of the situation, her husband tried his best to accompany her, but his prior work commitments prevented him from travelling. Despite these challenges, Maria made the decision to travel to the UAE. “The weight of this new reality was overwhelming. However, I firmly placed my faith in God and embarked on this uncharted path,” she added.

With the support of doctors and dear friend by her side, Maria embarked on this extraordinary journey, hoping to provide her unborn child with the best possible care. BMC expedited Maria’s visa and other travel arrangements and in 14 days she reached Abu Dhabi for the procedure. To minimize any further delays, medical teams in the UAE and her home country collaborated to conduct essential scans and tests on Maria before she left her home country.

According to Dr. Mandeep Singh, Consultant, Fetal Maternal Medicine and Fetal Surgeon, who led the team of doctors, performing the procedure at an earlier stage is more favorable for the baby since it minimizes potential damage to the spinal cord.

“It is well understood that the spinal canal defect should be ideally closed before 26 weeks. In fact, it’s technically possible to perform the procedure up to 29 weeks, but the critical question is whether it would genuinely benefit the baby. This is precisely why it’s imperative to act as early as possible,” said Dr. Mandeep.

According to Dr. Mandeep, in-utero spina bifida repair in the womb has been shown to significantly reduce risk of deficiency in physical ability and hence improve the baby’s chances for a better future. The procedure involves operating on the fetus while still in the womb to repair the spinal defect and reduce the risk of complications that can occur with open spinal surgery after birth.

Upon her arrival at BMC, Maria was welcomed by a team of highly skilled and compassionate medical professionals who were ready to perform the delicate in-utero spina bifida repair. Apart from Dr. Mandeep, the multidisciplinary team included Dr. Mauricio Herrera, visiting physician and renowned fetal surgeon, Dr. Essam Elgamal, Consultant Neurosurgery, Dr. Rajasekhar Cingapagu, Specialist Pediatric Surgery, Dr. Ahmed Omran, Consultant, Anesthesia, and specially trained operation theatre staff.

A Challenging, Large Defect

The 5-hour long procedure was challenging due to the nature of the defect as it was a large defect. “Smaller defects typically span two to three segments of vertebral bodies. In contrast, larger defects encompass more than four segments of vertebral bodies. Closing these larger defects can pose greater challenge for neurosurgeons due to the size and deficient skin available to close the defect,” said Dr. Mandeep.

Additionally, there’s a constraint of time when performing the closure because of the constant manipulation of the uterus, risk of preterm labor and placenta separation. This limited timeframe makes the closure process more demanding, particularly in the case of large defects, which always present a significant challenge, according to the doctor. “However, the procedure went well, and we managed to close the defect successfully and there were no complications during the procedure,” added Dr. Mandeep.

Hopeful after the positive outcome, Maria expressed her deep gratitude to the medical team at BMC, the UAE leadership and the organization that made her journey possible, and her steadfast friend and family who offered support throughout this challenging ordeal.

After successfully undergoing the recovery process at BMC, Maria has returned to her home country for delivery.

In a heartwarming achievement, Alfai Al Marzooqi has etched her name in history as the youngest female to publish a book in Guinness World Records. This extraordinary feat was announced at Burjeel Hospital Abu Dhabi, where Alfai was born.

The hospital facilitated the publication of her book and the subsequent recognition by Guinness World Records.

The five-year-old’s journey into the literary world began with a collection of imaginative drawings that transformed into a published book, highlighting the friendship shared among children. Her book ‘The Lost Rabbit’ revolves around themes of compassion, love for animals, and the importance of caring for one another. The characters in her story, Alfai, Salma, her friend, and the latter’s lost rabbit, Fufu, take readers on a heartwarming journey of friendship and kindness.

The book was not only written but also illustrated entirely by Alfai herself, who has already showcased her work at various book fairs.

Eminent Emirati writer Mariam Nasser, officials of the Emirates Heritage Club, Omran Al Khoori, Member of the Board of Directors and President of Business Development, Burjeel Holdings, and Waleed Tawfik, Chief Operations Officer, Burjeel Hospital, presented her the Guinness Certificate at the event. Alfai also signed copies of her book to the children at the event.

Omran expressed the hospital’s pride in supporting Alfai’s global achievement. “Alfai is a daughter of this hospital, and we all know her and her skills from her childhood. We decided to help her achieve her dream of publishing this book and facilitate her entry into the Guinness Book of Records. At Burjeel, we are committed to nurturing these young talents, enabling them to build themselves and the country,” Omaran said.

Alfai’s mother, Teeb Al Barri, shared that her daughter’s passion for storytelling emerged at the tender age of two. She loved to listen to the stories that her mother read to her before bed and would ask thought-provoking questions. “She would always ask me strange questions, like ‘How old is the tree’ and ‘Do roses laugh’? She was not interested in TV or tablets like other children but was focused on books,” said her mother.

Teeb revealed that it took just three days for Alfai to write, draw, and colour the entire story of ‘The Lost Rabbit’, showcasing her exceptional creativity and dedication.

Alfai, currently in first grade, aspires to be an international fashion designer, drawing inspiration from her love of reading and storytelling. In pursuit of this dream, the family has launched the exclusive ‘Tell and Tale’ brand, showcasing Alfai’s unique and artistic fashion pieces.

Alfai’s father, Yaqoub Al Marzooqi, expressed immense pride in his daughter’s achievement. “We all feel proud as we worked for several months on this title and collaborated with many parties, including Dar Sama for publishing and distribution to ensure we reached audiences at book fairs.”

The Al Marzooqi family’s commitment to fostering talent also extends to Alfai’s four-year-old brother, Hamad Al Marzooqi, who is aiming to set the Guinness Record for the youngest Emirati chef and entrepreneur in the children’s category. The family’s collective support continues to shape the remarkable journeys of their young ones.

Read more: gulftoday

During childhood cancer awareness month, Khaleej Times spoke to families of two brave cancer survivors

Faris Ahmed AlZeyoudi, a 14-year-old Emirati boy, has emerged victorious from the months-long fight against cancer. And he is now setting his sights on a new mission: becoming an army soldier to serve his beloved nation.

During childhood cancer awareness month, Khaleej Times spoke to families of two brave cancer survivors, whose remarkable recovery will not only inspire countless others facing similar challenges but serve as a reminder that with the right medical expertise, unwavering support, and courage, all obstacles can be overcome.

Read Full story: khaleejtimes