Al Qasimi hospital conducts open heart surgeries

Sharjah:  Al Qasimi Hospital yesterday conducted four open heart operations in line with a campaign to treat heart conditions in children and the elderly.

The operations, carried out by Emirati and French surgeons, are also a part of the strategic partnership between the Ministry of Health, represented by Al Qasimi Hospital, and a humanitarian initiative to treat one million children and elderly people.

The initiative is held under the patronage of Her Highness Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women's Union.

Dr Arif Al Nooryani, CEO of Al Qasimi Hospital and consultant at the hospital's cardiology section, said the initiative, launched in 2002 by Emirates World Heart Group in cooperation with Emirates Humanitarian Hospital, has treated around 2,250 patients from various parts of the world, with 250 operations carried out in the UAE.

He said that the hospital bears the full cost of operations on Emiratis, while the initiative bears the costs of surgery on people of different nationalities.

Al Nooryani emphasised the importance of partnerships between government, private bodies and non-profit organisations in providing services.

Dr Adel Al Shameri, a UAE heart surgeon who is also CEO of the Zayed Cares Initiative and Emirates World Humanitarian Mobile Hospital, said the initiative has become a model for the country's health establishments and medical professionals.