UAE entrepreneur announces Dh4m Eid Al Adha donation inspired by Syrian quake survivor siblings

Abu Dhabi: Ten underprivileged amputees affected by trauma and conflict will receive free advanced prosthetic surgeries—giving them a chance to walk again with dignity and confidence, thanks to support from a UAE entrepreneur.

Dr Shamsheer Vayalil, founder and chairman of Burjeel Holdings, has committed Dh4 million toward improving the quality of life for those living with limb loss.

The announcement by the Indian expat business leader just ahead of Eid Al Adha in the Year of Community was made during the launch of the Al Muderis Osseointegration Clinic at Burjeel Medical City (BMC) in Abu Dhabi.

Osseointegration surgeries, being introduced to the Middle East for the first time, will be made available to the most deserving individuals through this initiative, the group stated.

Prof Dr Munjed Al Muderis, a renowned orthopedic surgeon known for his expertise in cutting-edge osseointegration procedures, will perform the surgeries for the beneficiaries, it confirmed.

“We are fortunate to work under the most kind, generous, and purposeful leadership we have ever seen. They are fast thinkers and even faster movers; none of this would have been possible without that vision,” said Dr Shamsheer.

“In the Year of the Community, it is our responsibility to support those who need advanced care and help bring them back to normal life. I believe we’ll do many more cases, but when it begins with a touch of generosity, we’ve already succeeded,” he added.

The spark behind this initiative was ignited by two brave Syrian siblings—Sham and her elder brother Omar—who were rescued from the rubble of their home after a devastating earthquake in Syria in 2023.

Sham, then just nine, had become the face of resilience and hope after being pulled out from the rubbles of a building where she had been trapped for almost 40 hours. In a rescue video which later went viral, she was seen humming along with the White Helmets rescue group.

Suffering traumatic injuries and limb loss, Sham and Omar were brought to the UAE under the humanitarian directives of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Mother of the Nation, and Honourary President of the Emirates Red Crescent.

BMC became their home for complex surgeries and intensive rehabilitation for around six months. Witnessing their strength and vulnerability firsthand, Dr Shamsheer was deeply moved.

He said their story became the turning point that inspired him to bring the best prosthetic solution in the world to the region. Determined to ensure that children like Sham and Omar, and many others affected by conflicts or disasters, could walk again with dignity, he initiated the partnership with Prof Dr Al Muderis to establish a regional centre of excellence for osseointegration.

Through this, Dr Shamsheer said he aims to make next-generation prosthetics not just available, but accessible to those who need it the most.

Established in collaboration with the Paley Middle East Clinic, Al Muderis Osseointegration Clinic in BMC promises to bring a transformative surgical technique to the region, offering amputees a highly advanced alternative to traditional socket-based prosthetics.

Known as osseointegration, the procedure anchors an external prosthetic limb directly to the patient’s bone using a titanium implant. The result is significantly improved mobility, stability, and comfort, with a shorter rehabilitation period.

The beneficiaries will receive the Osseointegrated Prosthetic Limb (OPL) system, which uses a titanium implant that integrates with the bone and extends through the skin to attach to an external prosthesis securely. This direct skeletal connection mimics natural limb movement and eliminates many limitations of conventional socket-based prosthetics.

Unlike traditional prosthetics, which often cause discomfort, skin irritation, and joint complications, osseointegration enables a more intuitive, stable, and lifelike experience. The OPL also allows for osseoperception, a phenomenon where users regain sensory feedback through prosthetics.

“Our goal has always been to restore mobility and dignity to amputees. By bringing this technology to the UAE, we’re building local capabilities and offering hope to those who have waited too long for the right kind of care,” said Prof Dr Al Muderis who has treated more than 1,200 patients worldwide using this technology.

“We hope Dr Shamsheer’s noble gesture will help restore mobility to the most deserving patients from different age groups. We are proud to begin offering such a unique service through a community-centric initiative.”

Prof Dr Al Muderis, whose inspiring journey from fleeing Iraq as a refugee to becoming a globally respected surgeon is widely recognised, emphasised the personal mission behind the clinic.

“Mobility is life,” he said. “Our mission is to ensure that limb loss never defines or limits a person’s future. Over the past decade, we pioneered the single-stage technique and enabled the technology for diabetic, vascular, pediatric, transtibial, and hip-disarticulation amputees. With this technology, we empower people with even the most complex injuries to reclaim their independence and quality of life,” he explained.

A team of medical experts will identify the beneficiaries of the initiative based on clinical evaluation and medical needs. Further details will be announced soon, the group said.