Post by : Bianca
Haleem
The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH) has announced a major milestone in the UAE’s healthcare sector with the successful completion of the country’s first paediatric cardiac biopsy. The procedure was carried out at SEHA Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC), which is part of the healthcare group PureHealth.
This advanced procedure was performed on a four-year-old girl who had received a heart transplant abroad in 2023. The biopsy was conducted to evaluate the condition of her transplanted heart and monitor her recovery.
The operation was carried out by Dr Rizwan Rehman, Consultant Paediatric and Interventional Cardiologist at SKMC, in collaboration with Dr Joshua Philip Kanter, Consultant Interventional Cardiologist at Children’s National Hospital in the United States.
Visiting Physicians Programme Brings Global Expertise
The procedure was performed under the DoH Visiting Physicians Programme, which invites internationally recognised specialists to Abu Dhabi to provide advanced treatments and share expertise with local medical teams.
Dr Khuloud Abdullah, Executive Director of International Patient Care at the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, said the achievement highlights the emirate’s commitment to improving healthcare across all specialties.
She explained that the Visiting Physicians Programme helps bring world-class expertise to the emirate, allowing patients to access advanced medical care without travelling abroad.
Strengthening Specialised Care in Abu Dhabi
Saeed Al Kuwaiti, Group Chief Executive Officer of SEHA, said the programme plays a key role in raising the standard of specialised medical services in the emirate.
He noted that welcoming international experts enables complex procedures to be performed safely within Abu Dhabi. This allows patients and families to receive world-class treatment close to home while remaining supported by their families and communities.
Milestone for Paediatric Heart Care
Dr Joshua Kanter described the procedure as an important step for paediatric transplant care in the UAE. He said it is the first time SKMC has successfully performed a cardiac biopsy for a child who previously received a heart transplant abroad.
Dr Rizwan Rehman added that performing this complex procedure locally represents a major development for paediatric cardiology services in the UAE. With cardiac biopsy tests and related diagnostic procedures now available in Abu Dhabi, hospitals can provide continuous care for young heart transplant patients without requiring them to travel overseas.
He also highlighted that SKMC is continuing to grow as a centre of excellence in paediatric cardiac surgery through partnerships with leading international experts.
Family Shares Emotional Moment
The mother of the four-year-old patient expressed gratitude to the doctors and healthcare teams involved in her daughter’s treatment.
She shared that her daughter was diagnosed with a weakened heart muscle at SKMC when she was just one and a half years old. The diagnosis began a long medical journey that required treatment abroad.
The mother said she had always hoped her daughter could receive treatment in the UAE. She described the successful procedure in Abu Dhabi as a moment of great relief and joy for their family.
Growing Impact of the Visiting Physicians Programme
The milestone reflects the ongoing success of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi’s Visiting Physicians Programme in strengthening healthcare services in the UAE.
Since the beginning of 2025, the programme has welcomed 47 international medical specialists to Abu Dhabi. Together, they have performed around 270 advanced surgeries and provided consultations and treatment to more than 2,200 patients with rare and complex medical conditions.
The initiative continues to support knowledge exchange and advanced medical care, further strengthening Abu Dhabi’s position as a global hub for healthcare innovation and specialised treatment.
English
