Dubai Health has successfully completed 12 life-saving cardiac surgeries and catheterization procedures under the first edition of the 2026 Nabadat Campaign, providing free specialised treatment to patients with congenital heart defects and chronic heart conditions. The humanitarian initiative is organised by Al Jalila Foundation in collaboration with the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Charitable Establishment and reflects Dubai’s continued efforts to expand access to advanced healthcare for those in need.
About the Nabadat Campaign
Nabadat, which means “heartbeats” in Arabic, is one of Al Jalila Foundation’s flagship healthcare programmes operating under its A’awen patient assistance initiative. The campaign offers open-heart surgeries, cardiac catheterisation procedures and specialised medical care to children and adults who require complex heart treatment but may not have the financial means to access it. Procedures are carried out at Dubai Hospital and Al Jalila Children’s Hospital by multidisciplinary medical teams.
Complex Heart Cases
According to Dubai Health, the latest edition of the campaign focused on patients with complex cardiac conditions, including congenital heart defects and chronic heart diseases. Many of the cases required careful planning and coordination among specialists to ensure each patient received the most appropriate treatment based on their medical condition.
Dr. Obaid Mohammed Al Jassim, Consultant and Head of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Dubai Hospital and Medical Director of the Nabadat Campaign, said several patients had undergone previous heart procedures, making their treatment particularly challenging. He explained that such cases require close collaboration between cardiologists, surgeons, anaesthesiologists and nursing teams to achieve the best possible outcomes. He also stressed that early diagnosis and timely medical intervention remain essential for improving the quality of life of patients with congenital heart conditions.
Professor Zuhair Al Helis, Consultant Cardiovascular Surgeon and Head of the Nabadat medical team, said every successful procedure gives patients and their families renewed hope. He noted that the campaign’s achievements are made possible through the dedication and teamwork of highly specialised healthcare professionals working together to deliver advanced cardiac care.
Officials Visit Patients
Following the successful completion of the procedures, a delegation from the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Charitable Establishment visited Dubai Hospital to meet recovering patients and review the campaign’s progress. The delegation was led by Saif Omar Al Delail, Member of the Board of Trustees and included Saleh Zaher Al Mazrouei, Director General of the Establishment, along with other officials. They were welcomed by Dr. Amer Al Zarooni, CEO of Al Jalila Foundation, Dr. Omar Al Marzooqi, Executive Director of Dubai Hospital, Dr. Obaid Mohammed Al Jassim and Professor Zuhair Al Helis.
Leaders Share Views
Dr. Amer Al Zarooni said the Nabadat Campaign reflects Al Jalila Foundation’s commitment to supporting patients with complex heart conditions by helping them access specialised treatment. He added that the partnership with the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Charitable Establishment demonstrates how collaboration between charitable organisations and healthcare providers can improve patients’ lives and strengthen community healthcare services.
Saleh Zaher Al Mazrouei highlighted the importance of following up with patients after their surgeries, describing it as an essential part of the Establishment’s humanitarian mission. He said the true measure of success is not only completing the medical procedures but also seeing patients recover, regain their health and return to their families with renewed confidence.
Supporting Cardiac Care
Since its launch, the Nabadat Campaign has supported numerous patients by providing free, high-quality cardiac care through partnerships between healthcare institutions and charitable organisations. The initiative continues to play an important role in ensuring that individuals facing serious heart conditions receive timely treatment regardless of their financial circumstances. Through programmes such as Nabadat, Dubai Health and Al Jalila Foundation continue to promote accessible, patient-centred healthcare while helping transform lives across the UAE.