DUBAI // Twenty free heart operations carried out recently on children as part of the Nabadat programme have been a resounding success, doctors say.
A team of cardiologists from Dubai hospitals and visiting doctors from Saudi Arabia performed open-heart surgery and cauterisation procedures on the children.
Dr Obaid Al Jassim, the head of cardiothoracic surgery at Dubai Hospital, said the team would continue to treat patients who need ed their help.
“We study the cases that we receive and prioritise them according to the medical condition of the child,” he said. “We also receive cases from abroad and we have treated children from various countries that come to Dubai for this initiative.”
Essa Al Maidoor, the director general of Dubai Health Authority, said the primary aim of Nabadat – which means "heartbeat" in Arabic – is to provide free medical assistance, surgery and post-surgical care for children whose families could not otherwise afford it.
“This humanitarian initiative is in line with the vision of our leader, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai,” he said. “This philanthropic initiative is to support children with congenital heart diseases whose families cannot afford to pay for their treatment.”
Nabadat, which began in 2007, has helped more than 350 people, from newborns to 19-year-olds.
It is jointly organised by Dubai Health Authority and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Humanitarian and Charity Establishment.
aalkhoori@thenational.ae
