UAE healthcare sector sees massive advancement
The UAE's healthcare sector has reinforced its leading position since the beginning of the year through a series of rare surgical procedures and the adoption of innovative treatments for critical illnesses, underscoring the high calibre of medical expertise across various specialties.
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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High costs of certain drugs can be covered by insurers, government health systems or charitable foundations when there are no other treatment options. Drug companies also occasionally offer financial support programmes for families in need. The process of administering Casgevy begins by collecting stem cells from the patient's blood that are then sent to the lab to be edited using tiny, precise scissors. By clipping off the DNA responsible for preventing the body making healthy haemoglobin, the repaired cells can then be returned to the body. A course of chemotherapy is then required to clear out the old, sick marrow cells, allowing new healthy ones to grow in their place. Recovery time in the hospital is about four weeks. As the science behind gene editing improves, it should become faster, easier and cheaper to edit cells with higher accuracy, and fewer side effects. 'It is my hope and prediction that price will come down, but I am not sure how quickly,' said Dr Hanna. 'As the science of gene editing improves, it may become faster, easier, and cheaper to edit cells with higher accuracy and fewer side effects. 'Right now, Casgevy is the first gene editing therapy approved for sickle cell and thalassaemia. 'But more companies are developing similar treatments. When that happens, competition can help drive prices down. 'Also as companies learn how to make these therapies at scale, they may reduce production and delivery costs. 'Think of it like early computers or smartphones – they were expensive at first, but prices dropped as technology improved.' Global health drive Although patients like Mr Dawood must travel overseas for expensive gene therapy, the Gulf is also emerging as a go-to destination for emerging treatments. 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