A trilateral memorandum of understanding was signed between the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, the Mothers of Determination Association (Hemmah), and Burjeel Group Holding, the leading provider of healthcare services in the Middle East and North Africa region. The memorandum aims to provide high-quality, cost-effective healthcare services for all uninsured services to members of the Mothers of Determination Association (Hemmah) and their children.

The signing ceremony was attended by Her Excellency Rym bint Abdullah Al Falasi, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, Ms. Nora Al Mareikhi, Chairwoman of  Hemmah, officials, and mothers of determination. Also present were Mr. Imran Al Khouri, a member of the board of directors of Burjeel Holdings, and Professor Omar Abdulrahman, CEO of Burjeel Hospital in Abu Dhabi.

The MoU, signed at the Council’s headquarters in Abu Dhabi, aims to provide the best therapeutic, medical, and rehabilitation services to mothers of determination and their children in accordance with the highest international standards through the issuance of the distinguished service cards (Elite). These cards are one of the qualitative services for people of determination to expedite their procedures and provide them with comprehensive, top-notch care within Burjeel Holding hospitals, which are equipped with the best technologies and capabilities. The memorandum also aims to organize workshops and awareness campaigns by specialists from all parties.

On this occasion, Al Falasi stated that the MoU is in line with the Council’s vision and its commitment to providing all means of support and care for people of determination and their families, ensuring their quality of life, and working with partners to preserve their basic rights and improve services targeted towards this group, particularly healthcare and rehabilitation services in accordance with the highest international standards. She emphasized that cooperation with Burjeel Holding, as the best provider of medical and therapeutic services, will lead to achieving the desired goals that we look forward to with Hemmah.

For her part, Noura Al Meriekhi affirmed that this partnership is in line with the Association’s plan to improve services targeted towards people of determination and support their families, preserve their basic rights, empower them, and enhance their integration into society in collaboration with the government and private sectors. This is to be an effective and active contributor to the efforts of the UAE government in line with the directives of the wise leadership and a comprehensive and integrated visionary plan to make the UAE one of the makers of the future and a leader in the healthcare sector to enhance the country’s competitiveness with confidence and strength to preserve its achievements and protect its national resources, in harmony with the state’s strategy of preparedness and proactive plans, and employ innovative solutions and advanced infrastructure to achieve one of the most important indicators of the “UAE Vision 2031” strategy and to be among the top 10 countries in the world in terms of the quality of healthcare.

Al Meriekhi expressed her gratitude and appreciation to Burjeel Holdings for this partnership and constructive cooperation, and added that the association looks forward to close and continuous cooperation with Burjeel hospitals to ensure that our children with various disabilities enjoy the best treatments available from research and studies, especially for rare diseases.

Imran Al Khouri, a member of the board of directors of Burjeel Holding and head of business development in the group, said: “We are proud to sign the memorandum of understanding with the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood and the Mothers of Determination Association, which confirms the importance of enhancing the right of children and mothers in the UAE to receive comprehensive healthcare and make a positive difference in the lives of people of determination and meet their needs and those of their families. It is part of our commitment to creating an environment of equality, diversity, and inclusion for everyone. This cooperation will enable us to provide them with access to world-class specialized women’s and children’s sub-specialties through our facilities designed specifically to meet their needs. We look forward to continuing to develop this relationship and create more opportunities to serve this community.”

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ABU DHABI, 4th April, 2023 (WAM) — The Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC) and Burjeel Holdings recently organised Burjeel Games 2023 with the participation of 1,100 employees from more than 15 nationalities working in the health sector. The 10-day-long event was conducted at Al Hudayriat Island, here.

Aref Al Awani, General Secretary, ADSC; and Dr. Shamsheer Vayalil, Founder and Chairman of Burjeel Holdings, were among those who participated in the event’s closing ceremony.

Al Awani said, “In recognition of the immense contributions made by healthcare workers to our communities, ADSC is delighted to support this endeavor that enables them to come together and engage in friendly competitions.”

Dr. Shamsheer extended his appreciation to ADSC for its support and cooperation in ensuring a seamless tournament. “The tournament is part of our ongoing efforts to support and appreciate the dedication of our healthcare professionals.”

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The children belonged to 10 different nationalities

When she was diagnosed with Sickle Cell Disease, little Jordana’s life had turned upside down until she was able to receive an allogeneic bone marrow transplant (BMT) in 2022. Recalling the difficult journey, her mother Florence highlighted the emotional trauma the entire family had undergone until the child received life-saving treatment in the UAE. Today, the five-year-old Ugandan national is a happy, bubbly child who gets to lead a normal life like others her age. Florence is full of praise for the UAE that has extended support to children like Jordana. They were among the 18 patients and their families who had come together at Abu Dhabi’s Burjeel Medical City to mark the anniversary of the first pediatric BMT performed in the country.

“My child has a new lease on life because of the unmatched care provided by the UAE. It was indeed a challenging time for us, but we were able to overcome it thanks to the steadfast support we received. We are indebted to the authorities and doctors who have extended their assistance and made this treatment affordable for us. We are proud to call the UAE our second home,” recalled an emotional Florence. Like Jordana and Florence, families from 10 countries including Egypt, Jordan, Iraq, Afghanistan, Morocco, Syria, Sudan, Uganda, India, and Pakistan shared similar heartwarming experiences. All these children had undergone transplants at Burjeel Medical City following the success of Jordana’s procedure last March. 11-year-old Nahl was diagnosed with leukemia in 2022. She recalled her initial shock upon learning about her disease but said she later drew strength from the encouragement of her family and doctors including, Dr. Mansi Sachdev, Consultant Pediatric Hematology, Oncology & Bone Marrow Transplant, Burjeel Medical City. Nahl’s father was brimming with happiness as he addressed the gathering. “If Nahl is with us today, it is only because of the Almighty and the exceptional care she received. Words cannot express my gratitude to the doctors and the authorities who facilitated this treatment for her,” said Mr. Khalid Fayyaz. Medical experts, officials, and representatives of the top charitable organizations, including Emirates Red Crescent and The Rahma Cancer Patient Care Society, were present during the occasion. The attendees discussed the requirements of children awaiting BMTs and explored ways to streamline offerings. Ali Al Shamsi, Director General of The Rahma Cancer Patient Care Society, assured an increased focus on pediatric BMTs. Dr. Hawaa Althahak Almansoori, a member of the UAE’s Federal National Council, said such gatherings would help enhance the processes of assisting cancer patients. “Thanks to our wise leadership, the UAE is, and will always be, a beacon of shared humanity and global fraternity. Each and every day we continue to strive as individuals and as teams, like you here today, to bring to bear the resources and expertise that we have been blessed with in order to better the lives of our brothers and sisters around the world,” said Dr. Almansoori, who thanked the patients’ families for keeping hope alive in the fight against cancer.

Dr. Shamsheer Vayalil, Founder and Chairman of Burjeel Holdings, John Sunil, CEO, Burjeel Holdings, Prof. Humaid Al Shamsi, Consultant & Director of Oncology, Burjeel Holdings, interacted with the families and officials who attended the gathering. The hospital management and the children’s families thanked the UAE authorities and charitable organizations for extending year-long support to BMT patients.

“In the last year, we have performed allogenic and autologous transplants in patients with Leukemia, Thalassemia, Sickle Cell Disease, Primary Immunodeficiency, and HLH. This year, we look forward to offering 50 pediatric BMTs. We are thankful to the authorities and our partners for their continued support,” said Dr. Zainul Aabideen, HoD, Pediatric Hematology, Oncology & BMT, Burjeel Medical City.

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Abu Dhabi Sports Council to manage the largest Healthcare Sporting event in the UAE

As part of its strategy to promote sports activities across communities, the Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC) is joining hands with Burjeel Holdings, one of the largest healthcare service providers in the MENA region, to organise a sports tournament for its employees. ADSC will manage and conduct the fourth edition of Burjeel Games 2023, an annual sports event designed to promote physical activity and sportsmanship among the Group’s employees. The tournament will be held at Al Hudairiyat Island from March 24 to April 2. It will include a variety of sporting categories such as football, volleyball, basketball, badminton, athletics, padel, and Burjeel Holdings fitness. The 10-day-long tournament will provide an opportunity for employees to form teams and compete against each other in a friendly atmosphere. Touted to be the biggest sporting event in the UAE’s healthcare sector, the event will see the participation of more than 1,100 healthcare workers. In accordance with the fasting and religious observances during the holy month of Ramadan, the events are scheduled at night.

“The Abu Dhabi Sports Council is delighted to collaborate with Burjeel Holdings to conduct Burjeel Games 2023 for its employees,” said Suhail Abdulla Al Areefi, Executive Director, Sports Event Sector at ADSC.

“This is an excellent opportunity for the employees to stay active and healthy and build a team spirit within the organization. We are happy to provide our support and guidance to ensure a successful tournament. ADSC looks forward to continuing our partnership with Burjeel Holdings and working together to promote a culture of sports and fitness in the UAE,”

Burjeel Holdings’ employees from different facilities are split into teams for the competition with separate events for men and women.

“On behalf of Burjeel Holdings, I would like to thank ADSC for partnering with us,” Safeer Ahamed, COO of Burjeel Holdings, said.

“We are committed to providing our employees with an engaging work environment.

“Burjeel Games will help us achieve this goal by creating a sense of belonging and enabling our employees to connect with each other. The event will be a platform to discover the hidden talents of our employees and help them develop new skills.

“I am certain these games will bring out the best in our colleagues and help them become more productive and efficient,”

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The MOU facilitates the process of obtaining information for children with critical illnesses to grant their wishes

Abu Dhabi: Make-A-Wish® UAE signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Burjeel Medical City in its efforts to spread the foundation’s lofty message that is based on its noble humanitarian strategy. The MOU facilitates the process of obtaining information for children with critical illnesses to grant their wishes. It also aims to enhance the cooperation between the two parties to raise awareness of their community’s goals and activities.

The MOU was signed by Hani Alzubaidi, CEO of the Foundation, and Dr. Mandeep Singh, CEO, Burjeel Farha & Consultant Maternal & Fetal Medicine, Burjeel Medical City.

On this occasion, Hani Alzubaidi, CEO of “Make a Wish” Foundation, said: “We are pleased to sign this agreement with Burjeel Medical City, which has emerged as a center of medical excellence across the UAE. The hospital is well-known for providing world-class and specialized healthcare services that utilize the latest advanced technologies rounded with a friendly human touch available to all members of society without discrimination. It embraces a team of world-renowned doctors who have high-level skills and experience.”

“Through the MoU, we look forward to this cooperation, as we have one goal in common, which is spreading happiness in the hearts of the community members.  We both aim to grant the wishes of children with critical illnesses to light the candle of hope and optimism for a better life in Zayed’s homeland,” he concluded.

“Providing high-quality care to the community is a top priority for us. Offering patients and their families support throughout their healing process can contribute to improved outcomes. We are thrilled to associate with Make-A-Wish Foundation to make a meaningful difference to children with critical illnesses. We look forward to cooperating on this noble venture to spread happiness among children and their families and offer them renewed strength in their fight against diseases,” said Dr. Singh.

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Suggests ways to mitigate health challenges.

Experts have opined that musculoskeletal conditions continue to be one of the top reasons for temporary loss of medical license among pilots in the region, followed by other medical and surgical conditions. Speaking at the third edition of the Burjeel Medical Aviation Congress organized by Burjeel Hospital, Dubai, experts urged that creating awareness and developing effective solutions to address such issues affecting the physical ability of pilots is the need of the hour. The congress, held under the patronage of the General Civil Aviation Authority of the UAE, is a forum for healthcare professionals and experts to discuss the latest developments in aviation medicine.

According to Dr. Erik Hohmann, Chairman of the Congress, and Consultant Orthopedic Surgeon and Sports Physician, Burjeel Hospital, Dubai, a total of 1,233 incapacitations were reported between 2018 and 2021 in the UAE alone.

“Musculoskeletal conditions such as arthritis, back pain, joint pain, and injuries can cause pain, stiffness, and restricted mobility, affecting a pilot’s ability to perform their duties safely,” said Dr. Erik, adding that in such situations, the regulator temporarily suspends the pilot’s license to prioritize the safety of the passengers.

Mental health in focus

The increasing demands of the profession, the stress of flying and the ever-changing safety protocols can take a toll on the mental health of the pilots and cabin crew. The medical experts highlighted the importance of creating awareness among aviation professionals on taking better care of themselves through self-care strategies such as maintaining healthy lifestyle habits and seeking professional help when needed.

Dr. John Chalkley, Specialist Doctor – Aeromedical, Qatar Airways, said, “It is important to ensure the safety of pilots and other aviation professionals in the ever-evolving aviation sector. Regular screenings and awareness can help identify potential issues promptly. Aviation professionals should have access to resources to assist them in managing their mental health. This conference provides a valuable platform to discuss emerging issues and potential solutions.”

The Burjeel Medical Aviation Congress is an annual event in Dubai that brings aviation medical experts and professionals together to discuss and debate issues related to the aviation industry, particularly aviation medicine. This year’s highlights included a talk by Dr. Chalkley on the role of the airline medical department during the 2022 FIFA World Cup and by Dr. Andrew Foggitt, Consultant Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Surgeon, Burjeel Hospital, Dubai, on the common foot and ankle problems faced by aviation professionals.

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Proud to announce that Dr. Shamsheer Vayalil, our Founder and Chairman, is listed as one of the top 10 among the Middle East’s top 100 healthcare leaders. The list by Forbes Middle East recognizes his influential role within the region’s healthcare ecosystem. We are privileged to serve the community under his visionary leadership that aims to transform the healthcare landscape in the region.

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Maria Theresa Coronel is recovering in hospital and will be discharged in a couple of days In a true love story, a woman’s life has been saved by her husband’s kidney donation. Maria Theresa Coronel, 37, underwent painful dialysis for six years, before her husband Frederick Valiente, 38, discovered he was the match she needed for the life-saving operation. They have been married for nine years and have a son, five, and a daughter, seven. Ms Coronel, from the Philippines, who works as a sales executive, developed pre-eclampsia when she was pregnant. The condition can cause high blood pressure, protein in urine and can also affect the kidneys, which happened in Ms Coronel’s case. She received twice-weekly dialysis but a kidney transplant was the only permanent solution. Dialysis treatment involves a tube being attached to the patient’s arm via a needle that extracts blood into a filtration machine, which replicates the job of a healthy, fully functioning kidney.

“I wanted my wife to be well,” said Mr Valiente. “I couldn’t bear to see her suffering and what dialysis was doing to her body.”

As well as Mr Valiente, Ms Coronel’s niece was checked for compatibility — but her husband was found to be a good match.

“There was no question about it,” he said.

“I love my wife and would do anything for her. I’m glad I was able to help her in some way to bring our family back to normal life again by donating one of my kidneys.”

Ms Coronel said their love story started in the Philippines in 2010 and they moved together to UAE in 2015.

“He used to be my boyfriend many years ago and then I came to the UAE and we each went our own way,” she said.

“Only when I started work I found out that he was working at the same place where I was and we picked it up from there and have been together since then.

“He is the love of my life. I had his heart and now I have his kidney.”

The transplant took place at Burjeel Medical City in the capital on March 2.

“Maria’s family members were informed that a blood-group compatible donor from the family who wished to donate voluntarily could come for medical evaluation,” said Dr Venkat Vellanki, director of transplant nephrology at Burjeel.

“Maria’s niece and husband volunteered for initial evaluation and her husband, who had a compatible blood group with her, was found to be a suitable match.”

Transplant surgeon Dr Rehan Saif said: “Both surgeries took place simultaneously in a staggered fashion to keep the ischemia time — time that the kidney remains outside the body between removal and transplant — to a minimum.”

He said the operation involved a “minimally invasive method”, a kind of keyhole surgery using a 3D technology camera. Doctors say the husband has been discharged and the wife is recovering well in the hospital. Ms Coronel was moved out of the intensive care unit to the ward and will be able to go home in a couple of days.

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ABU DHABI, 8th March, 2023 (WAM) — The Frontline Heroes Office (FHO) affirmed that the UAE leadership is keen to honour and empower women, and support their participation in all of the nation’s vital fields and sectors.

To mark the occasion of International Women’s Day, the FHO thanks the UAE’s wise leadership for its support and guidance, and leading the way when it comes to adopting women-focused initiatives and addressing the issues they face.

FHO indicated that the UAE adopted the approach of empowering women followed by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who said, “Women are not only half of society in terms of numbers, but also in terms of their role in preparing and raising future generations.”

FHO stated that women have proved their worth through their distinguished capabilities, and the farsightedness of the wise leadership in their abilities, setting the finest example in raising generations qualified to contribute to building a sustainable future for all members of society, and have made the highest sacrifices on the front lines, especially as the Covid-19 virus phase swept the world.

The office added that womwn have borne enormous burdens while balancing their work with their concern for their families, and proven their competence in managing crises inside and outside the home. Women were frontline heroes for their families before working on the front lines in the health sector and in the fields of crisis and disaster management, and their experiences at home fully prepared the women for the transition from raising their children to working as frontline heroes.

In a meeting with some of the most prominent women to talk about the challenges they faced during the period of the pandemic’s spread, Dr. Rania Zeineldin, Chest Diseases Specialist at Burjeel Hospital in Abu Dhabi, said, “The Covid-19 pandemic posed a great challenge for women compared to other members of society. It was about finding a balance between our work, our family and social responsibilities mixed with fear for our family members’s safety, and our keenness to avoid infecting them, especially the elderly.

She added, “On a practical level, the unprecedented increase in the number of illnesses had a great impact on our psychological state, especially at the beginning of 2020, given my work as a chest doctor, but my great faith in my abilities and the huge support from all sides helped me overcome this crisis. This stage went smoothly and safely, and I had the honor to be one of the frontline heroes, maintaining a continuous presence on the front lines to confront the virus.”

“My fear for myself or my family did not stop me from carrying out my duty by visiting every patient, following up on their condition, and raising their spirits to help them confront the virus, as the psychological factor at that time had a great impact in helping patients cope with their illness. We felt we had a moral role in encouraging and raising the spirits of our fellow doctors, especially in the early stages of the pandemic, as we did not have much information about the ways it spread and how to treat it,” she added.

“After that, and the provision of treatment plans created by the concerned UAE health authorities, in addition to continuous and effective communication with specialized support groups to exchange views on how to combat the virus, had a prominent role in providing us with reassurance, and helped us reach the recovery stage across all government hospitals, as well the ability to successfully eradicate the virus.”

Dr. Rania is proud of be one of the frontline heroes, and part of the pioneering health sector’s renaissance and development in the country. She confirmed she tries to balance her work with carrying out her family responsibilities, saying she devotes part of her time to caring for her children and husband, in addition to setting aside time for them all to enjoy as a family.

Sheela Joyce, Charge Nurse at Burjeel Medical City, said that she takes her role as a nurse seriously and is keen to provide any healthcare support she can for patients in the hospital, even though it poses a great challenge for her and her family, especially so during Covid-19, when she was keen at that time not to infect anyone at home.

“My family has always been a source of support for me as one of the frontline heroes, and it was a challenge to achieve a balance between my work and my family. Thankfully, the state spared no effort to provide an appropriate healthy environment in order to keep everyone safe, making sure that the virus does not spread, and I had my supportive family members waiting at home,” she added.

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His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region and Chairman of Emirates Red Crescent, has visited victims of Syrian earthquake receiving medical treatment in UAE’s hospitals as part of an initiative from Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation, Mother of the Nation, and Honourary President of Emirates Red Crescent, who directed the treatment of Syrian earthquake victims at UAE hospitals.

His Highness also directed to provide the victims with the highest levels of healthcare, reaffirming UAE’s continued efforts within Bridges of Goodness campaign launched by the UAE and its commitment to support victims of humanitarian disasters and crises worldwide.

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