UAE healthcare sector sees massive advancement
The UAE has transformed its healthcare system into a globally advanced model by investing in cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, therapeutic robots, and 3D printing to enhance the quality and sustainability of care.
Kings College Hospital London Dubai announced on Thursday the city's first liver transplant on a 13-month-old child, with the support of Al Jalila Foundation – the philanthropic arm of Dubai Health.
The child was born with a rare condition known as biliary atresia, which caused his health to deteriorate despite an earlier surgical procedure to connect his liver to his intestines.
He was also diagnosed with a congenital heart defect (atrial septal defect).
He was referred to King's College Hospital in Dubai by Al Jalila Children's Hospital, following the cardiac repair procedure.
Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi performed the world's first remotely conducted transcontinental robotic-assisted focal therapy for prostate cancer. Focal therapy is a non-invasive treatment that precisely targets a specific section of the prostate using ultrasound beams, eliminating the need for major surgery or radiation.
The Focal-One system enhances this approach with a robotic arm that ensures precise and controlled ultrasound delivery.
In January, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi also announced the UAE's first simultaneous robotic kidney transplant procedure for a donor and recipient using one robot.
Corniche Hospital has successfully performed a minimally invasive laparoscopic procedure for egg collection and freezing, a cutting-edge technique representing a significant leap forward in reproductive medicine.
The UAE's medical sector has also seen significant progress in implementing new and innovative treatments this year. In January, the Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Centre reported promising results in treating Type 1 diabetes using umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cell (UC-MSC) therapy.
The Emirates Health Services (EHS) unveiled two innovative projects – an 'Artificial Heart Transplantation' and 'Pancreatic Cell Transplantation' at Arab Health 2025 in January.
In April, the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi completed a groundbreaking clinical trial in Abu Dhabi.
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After that, a severe prolapse affecting all three pelvic compartments – bladder, uterus and rectum – was diagnosed. In Canada, she was referred to a pessary clinic, a non-surgical option where a silicone device is inserted to hold organs in place. 'It helped a bit, but it was like a plaster,' she said. 'They told me I was too young for surgery and should wait until I was 60 or 70. But I couldn't live like that.' Despite her symptoms, Ms Kinnaird kept going and tried to live life to the full. She ran a marathon, did CrossFit, worked as an accountant and gave birth to her second child, a daughter, three years later. Losing hope 'I talked to friends, to older women, to my aunties,' she said. 'No one my age had gone through this. Some could relate, but no one had it this severe. I started to think this was just my life now. I hadn't even thought surgery was an option any more.' Ms Kinnaird and her family moved to Abu Dhabi in October 2024. By then, her pessary was worn out and her symptoms had worsened. She went to a general practitioner, who referred her to Dr Sheth. Ms Kinnaird arrived thinking she would be fitted for another pessary. 'Instead, Dr Seema told me this was not a pessary problem. It needed surgical correction,' she said. 'I started crying in her office. It was so validating to finally have someone hear me, believe me, and say, 'This is not normal. You deserve better.' I hadn't even thought surgery was an option any more.' Dr Sheth said surgery was essential to give Ms Kinnaird greater quality of life and ensure she did not have to live in pain for decades more. 'This is a young, healthy, active woman who was told she had to live like this for 30 years,' said Dr Sheth. 'It wasn't acceptable.' Pioneering procedure Ms Kinnaird underwent a combined robotic procedure – a sacrocolpopexy and a proctopexy – to lift and secure the vaginal and rectal organs with surgical mesh. It was the first time the team had performed the two operations together at the hospital. 'We removed the uterus, left the cervix, and attached mesh to anchor everything to a ligament on the spine,' said Dr Sheth. 'Her rectum was also secured to prevent future prolapse. The surgery was done robotically, which means smaller incisions, faster recovery, and better long-term outcomes.' Recovery and results were immediate. 'It seems crazy to say this, but it wasn't painful,' Ms Kinnaird said. 'The worst part was the gas from the laparoscopy and the catheter. I was walking the next day, reading stories with my kids, doing dishes. I had just had my uterus removed – and I felt relief almost immediately.' Helping others Ms Kinnaird hopes that by sharing her story, other women will feel empowered to speak up and seek help. 'It's obviously uncomfortable to talk about, because it's our reproductive organs. But we shouldn't be shy,' she said. 'This is common. And if it's affecting your daily life, you shouldn't just have to live with it.' Dr Sheth echoed her sentiments. 'So many women are embarrassed or think this is just a normal part of ageing,' she said. 'But you don't have to accept it. It can be fixed. And more women are coming forward because someone else they know got help.' Looking back, Ms Kinnaird said it was not a difficult decision to have surgery and let go of the hope of further pregnancies 'My husband and I knew we were done having kids,' she said. 'So it was easy to say, 'OK, I'm done with this organ, I can let it go.' But if someone's not ready for that, I understand. For them, the pessary might be the right choice.' But for her, there was no hesitation. 'For me, this surgery was absolutely life changing,' she said. 'Every day for the past eight weeks, I've felt so grateful. Dr Seema and Dr Lameese [Tabaja] gave me my life back.'
