In cooperation with Beit Al Khair Society, Al Zahra Hospital in Dubai has set up an endowment operation room dedicated to the treatment of the obese patients who can't afford the surgery costs. The society will identify individuals who are unable to pay obesity treatment fees and cooperate with the hospital in conducting operations.

As a result of the continuous success of bariatric centre in offering free treatment of obesity to the needy, Al Zahra Hospital has also received the Dubai Sign of Endowment from the Mohammed Bin Rashid Global Centre for Endowment Consultancy, one of Mohammed Bin Rashid International's initiatives in recognition of its community contribution as a model to be emulated in the private sector. The Dubai Sign of Endowment allows the private institutions a preference for purchases and contracts in the government of Dubai.

Dr Mohaimen Abdul Ghani, executive director of Al Zahra Hospital in Dubai, said: "The Mohammed bin Rashid Global Centre for Endowment Consultancy initiative, is considered a smart and unique step to revive the endowment as a tool of the development of the communities. We launched a globally unique service within the endowment's innovative initiative, and have allocated an operation room as an innovative endowment - aimed to conduct free bariatric surgeries for obesity patients."

Expressing his thanks and appreciation to the management of Al Zahra Hospital, Abdeen Taher Al Awadhi, general manager of Beit Al Khair Society said: "We have worked with the hospital to cover those who need such surgeries beginning from the Year of Giving, as this innovative endowment provides a therapeutic solution for individuals in need, and through this initiative, we will support the vision of our UAE leaders to spread the good in innovative ways.

While more people are becoming obese and diabetic, the Beit Al Khair Society has developed a number of 'Innovative Endowment' initiatives to deal with such cases. It has decided to take care of the costs of 12 bariatric surgeries to treat life-threatening obesity cases this year in collaboration with the Zayed Care Initiative and Al Zahra Hospital in Dubai. The move comes in line with the UAE National Agenda to reduce the proportion of obese people and diabetes for the year 2017 and create a healthier society.
After surgery, he lost 14kgs in a week

Abbas Darwish, 38, was among the special cases sent to the bariatric centre at Al Zahra Hospital by the Beit Al Khair society as he weighed 180kg and was having difficulties dealing with his obesity. He suffered from snoring and shortness of breath while walking.

Dr Girish Juneja, director of bariatric centre at the hospital, along with members of a multidisciplinary medical team conducted a comprehensive clinical examination that showed Abbas was overweight by 85kgs. The team decided that Abbas required a laparoscopic sleeve surgery. After the successful surgery, the patient managed to lose 14kgs in just a week's time.

"Abbas is expected to lose 60 to 70 per cent of his weight within eight months after surgery, and this percentage varies from one patient to another," said Dr Juneja. Abbas expressed his happiness and gratitude to Beit Al Khair Society and Al Zahra Hospital

Source: Khaleej Times