Latest news with #SheikhShakhboutMedicalCity
Al Etihad
6 days ago
- Health
- Al Etihad
Meet the Abu Dhabi doctor who devotes his life to keeping children safe
25 July 2025 00:45 MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)Inspired by the humanitarian legacy of the UAE's Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Dr. Taisser Atrak arrived in Abu Dhabi 17 years ago with one mission in mind: to give more than he receives. At Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC), he is the chairman of paediatrics. But to many families in Abu Dhabi, Dr. Atrak is best known as a tireless advocate for child safety and a volunteer educator. After moving to the UAE in 2008, he began noticing a pattern in the emergency cases at the hospital: a large number of children were arriving with serious, though preventable, injuries from car the time, data from the Health Authority of Abu Dhabi revealed that traffic accidents were the leading cause of fatal injuries among children in the emirate, according to Dr. Atrak. He decided to do something about that by launching a grassroots safety campaign focused on preventing injuries in children on the road, at home, and in schools. Dr. Atrak used his own resources to buy teaching materials and fund workshops offering hands-on training at schools, universities, and the years, hundreds of nannies, parents, schoolteachers, and even bus drivers were trained for free in paediatric first aid, CPR, and child car seat support from government entities and the media spotlight his campaign drew, the initiative expanded dramatically.'We started by distributing 1,000 car seats for free. This inspired others. Soon, over 25,000 car seats were given out by public hospitals,' Dr. Atrak told Aletihad. 'Awareness started to grow, and so did impact.'In 2011, his work earned him one of the UAE's highest civilian honours, the Abu Dhabi Award. 'That moment was overwhelming,' he recalled. 'The great honour came with an even greater responsibility. When you're an Abu Dhabi Award recipient, people listen. Doors open. You must rise to that trust.'Now 66, the veteran paediatrician is looking ahead to retirement — not to rest, but to give more.'I can't stop; I'll volunteer full time to do community work, like teaching families how to do CPR, use car seats, and ensure home safety,' he said. 'My job is to wake up every morning to save lives. When I retire, I want to be sure that I used my life, and my knowledge, for good,' he added. 'That drive to give, it comes from the UAE itself, from the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed. He inspired me deeply. I came here determined to follow in his footsteps.'Dr. Atrak is currently advocating for a policy that prevents hospitals from discharging newborns unless the family has a car seat in hand.'If we implement that, then I'd feel peace,' he said. 'I'd know I've done my part.'Ministerial Resolution No. 178 of 2017 on traffic control rules mandates that children up to four years of age must be provided with a child safety seat. Failure to comply will result in a fine of Dh400 and four black points. Nominate a Community Hero for Abu Dhabi AwardsNominations for this year's Abu Dhabi Awards are now open. Individuals from across the UAE are invited to nominate inspirational people that have made a meaningful and selfless contribution to the community. Open year-round the process is accessible to all through the Abu Dhabi Awards digital platform. Recipients are chosen based on a range of factors, but a single nomination is all it takes to be considered for a prestigious Abu Dhabi Award. To nominate an individual making a positive difference, please visit:
Khaleej Times
10-07-2025
- Health
- Khaleej Times
UAE airlifts 80-year-old woman facing medical emergency in Kuwait
The UAE's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in coordination with the National Guard Search and Rescue Centre, carried out an air ambulance mission for an 80-year-old woman, who suffered a medical emergency while in Kuwait. With the cooperation and support of the Kuwaiti authorities, the woman was transported via air ambulance to Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City to complete treatment after receiving treatment in Kuwait. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its gratitude and appreciation to the Kuwaiti authorities.
Khaleej Times
03-07-2025
- Health
- Khaleej Times
Abu Dhabi becomes first outside US to offer groundbreaking IBD medication
In a groundbreaking healthcare milestone, Abu Dhabi has become the first region outside the United States to offer Tremfya, a next-generation biologic medication for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This comes following a strategic partnership between the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), Johnson & Johnson, and Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC). The collaboration was announced on the sidelines of Abu Dhabi's participation at the BIO International Convention in Boston, marking a significant step forward in the emirate's position as a pioneering destination for healthcare innovation. Following recent FDA approval for ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease in the United States, and the European Commission's approval for Crohn's disease, the DoH accelerated efforts to bring this treatment to local patients. The results have been remarkable – SSMC has already begun treating 15 patients within two months of the treatment's launch. Dr Mohammed Nabil Quraishi, Consultant Gastroenterologist and Director of the IBD Service at Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City, emphasized the immediate impact: "Being the first in the country to administer this novel therapy was a vital first step, but to have already started treatment for 15 patients in under two months of its launch demonstrates the tangible, widespread benefit we can deliver." The first patient in Abu Dhabi to receive Tremfya experienced notable improvement, with symptoms significantly declining despite having longstanding treatment-resistant Crohn's disease.
Al Etihad
25-06-2025
- Health
- Al Etihad
Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City launches dedicated Travel Health Clinic
25 June 2025 14:07 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD) Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC), a flagship hospital in the UAE and a subsidiary of the PureHealth group, Wednesday announced the launch of its new Travel Health Clinic. In a statement, SSMC said that this specialised clinic will address the evolving health needs of travellers – either departing from or arriving in the UAE – and thereby protect their well-being and the community's pre-travel consultations offered by SSMC's Travel Health Clinic can significantly reduce travel-associated health risks. Operationally supported by a dedicated multidisciplinary team of infectious disease doctors, travel health nurses, pharmacists, and laboratory staff, the clinic provides a comprehensive suite of pre- and post-travel medical services, designed to prevent and manage travel-related health Zahir Babiker, interim division chair of tropical and infectious diseases, and consultant at SSMC, said: 'At SSMC, we are committed to advancing healthcare excellence in the region. The launch of our dedicated Travel Health Clinic reflects our leadership in tropical and travel medicine, providing expert, comprehensive support to ensure individuals are well-prepared, protected, and confident when they travel, giving them peace of mind both during their journey and upon their return.'Services provided by the Travel Health Clinic include pre-travel consultations and offering evidence-based, destination-specific health advice tailored to individual health profiles and itineraries. The clinic also administers essential immunisations for international travel, including yellow fever and meningococcal disease – based on destination-specific risk measures include protection against infectious diseases such as malaria and non-infectious conditions such as altitude sickness. Post-travel evaluations are also a core offering, involving expert clinical assessment and management of febrile illnesses or specific exposure concerns. In addition, the clinic facilitates certified medical fitness assessments often required by UAE-based foreign clinic serves the full spectrum of international travellers, and individuals requiring official embassy-mandated medical certifications. To further support safe and well-prepared travel, SSMC is working closely with corporate partners, embassies, and insurance providers. The clinic is conveniently located within the Outpatient Department of SSMC. To book your travel consultation, a WhatsApp contact number is available, along with the Travel Health Clinic's website, the SEHA App, or – if in the UAE – by calling 800 7762. Source: Aletihad - Abu Dhabi
Zawya
25-06-2025
- Health
- Zawya
Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City launches dedicated travel health clinic
in the UAE – safeguarding their health and the well-being of the wider community Abu Dhabi, UAE: Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC), a flagship hospital in the UAE for serious and complex care and a subsidiary of the PureHealth group, has today announced the launch of its new Travel Health Clinic. This specialised clinic will address the evolving health needs of travellers – either departing from or arriving in the UAE – and thereby protecting both their individual well-being and the community's health. Proactive pre-travel consultations offered by SSMC's Travel Health Clinic can significantly reduce travel-associated health risks. Operationally supported by a dedicated multidisciplinary team of infectious disease doctors, travel health nurses, pharmacists, and laboratory staff, the clinic provides a comprehensive suite of pre- and post-travel medical services, designed to prevent and manage travel-related health risks. Dr. Zahir Babiker, interim division chair of tropical and infectious diseases, and consultant at SSMC, said: 'At SSMC, we are committed to advancing healthcare excellence in the region. The launch of our dedicated Travel Health Clinic reflects our leadership in tropical and travel medicine, providing expert, comprehensive support to ensure individuals are well-prepared, protected, and confident when they travel, giving them peace of mind both during their journey and upon their return.' Services provided by the Travel Health Clinic include pre-travel consultations and offering evidence-based, destination-specific health advice tailored to individual health profiles and itineraries. The clinic also administers essential immunisations for international travel, including yellow fever and meningococcal disease – based on destination-specific risk assessments. Preventative measures include protection against infectious diseases such as malaria and non-infectious conditions such as altitude sickness. Post-travel evaluations are also a core offering, involving expert clinical assessment and management of febrile illnesses or specific exposure concerns. In addition, the clinic facilitates certified medical fitness assessments often required by UAE-based foreign embassies. The clinic serves the full spectrum of international travellers, and individuals requiring official embassy-mandated medical certifications. To further support safe and well-prepared travel, SSMC is working closely with corporate partners, embassies, and insurance providers. The clinic is conveniently located within the Outpatient Department of SSMC. To book your travel consultation, a WhatsApp contact number is available, along with the Travel Health Clinic's website, the SEHA App, or – if in the UAE – by calling 800 7762. For media inquiries, please contact: Fadya Al Kathairi Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City Email: falkathairi@ Afaf El-Sharkawy 9Yards Communications Email: About Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC) Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City is one of the largest tertiary hospitals in the UAE offering the highest standards of medical expertise for the treatment of serious and complex conditions. Established in 2019, SSMC has 660 patient beds, 18 operating theatres, including a hybrid operating room and a 26-bed neonatal intensive care unit. Supported by the latest diagnostic and treatment modalities available, SSMC offers care in 46 specialties, bringing advanced and trusted quality care closer to the UAE and the wider region. For more information on Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City or to book an appointment, please visit: About PureHealth: PureHealth is the largest healthcare group in the Middle East with an ecosystem that challenges lifespans and reimagines health spans. With 110+ hospitals, 316+ clinics, multiple diagnostic centres, health insurance solutions, pharmacies, health tech, procurement, investments and more, its groundbreaking innovations are at the forefront of healthcare as the company is on a mission to unlock time for humankind. By advancing the Science of Longevity, PureHealth is introducing the healthcare of the future from the United Arab Emirates to the rest of the world. PureHealth's network comprises: SEHA – One of the largest healthcare networks of hospitals and clinics in the UAE SEHA CLINICS - Delivering comprehensive community-based healthcare services Daman (The National Insurance Company) – The UAE's leading health insurer The Medical Office – Overseeing Sheikh Khalifa Hospitals and healthcare facilities established under the initiatives of H.H. The President of the UAE Rafed – The UAE's largest healthcare Group Purchasing Organisation PureLab – Managing and operating the largest network of laboratories in the region One Health – A network that provides end-to-end medical solutions to a base of over 300 healthcare service providers The Life Corner – Abu Dhabi's first holistic pharmacy, serving the health and wellness establishment Ardent Health Services – The fourth largest privately held acute care hospital operator in the US Circle Health Group – The largest independent operators of hospitals in the UK Hellenic Healthcare Group (HHG) - the largest private healthcare provider in Greece and Cyprus PureCS - A leading cloud and technology services provider, specialising in IT management and consulting solutions, cybersecurity, cloud services and AI information systems Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC) – The UAE's largest healthcare complex, delivering integrated complex care To learn more, please visit
