The UAE continues to solidify its leadership in global healthcare, marking the start of 2025 with a series of groundbreaking surgeries and the integration of next-generation medical technologies. The country has become a beacon of advanced care, with its hospitals and specialists pushing the boundaries of what is possible in medicine.
A notable achievement was announced by King’s College Hospital London in Dubai, which performed the city’s first liver transplant on a 13-month-old child. The complex procedure was supported by Al Jalila Foundation, part of the Dubai Health system. The young patient suffered from biliary atresia, a rare condition that led to a severe deterioration in his health, even after an initial surgery to link the liver to the intestines. He also had an atrial septal defect, a congenital heart condition, which required prior correction. Following that, he was referred to King’s College by Al Jalila Children’s Hospital.
Meanwhile, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi reached a global milestone by carrying out the first-ever remotely executed, transcontinental robotic-assisted focal therapy for prostate cancer. This technique offers a non-invasive alternative, using focused ultrasound beams to treat affected prostate areas with precision, avoiding the need for surgery or radiation. The use of the Focal-One system, with its robotic arm, enabled precise targeting and delivery.
In another medical milestone earlier this year, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi also completed the UAE’s first simultaneous robotic kidney transplant involving both donor and recipient using a single robotic system—further reinforcing the nation’s position in robotic surgery.
Corniche Hospital made significant strides in reproductive medicine by successfully performing a minimally invasive laparoscopic procedure to collect and freeze eggs, a development that highlights advancements in fertility treatment techniques.
On the innovation front, January saw the Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Centre announce encouraging results in the treatment of Type 1 diabetes through the use of umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSC), marking promising progress in regenerative medicine.
At Arab Health 2025, Emirates Health Services (EHS) unveiled two ambitious projects: “Artificial Heart Transplantation” and “Pancreatic Cell Transplantation,” aimed at redefining the approach to chronic and life-threatening diseases.
Most recently, in April, the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi completed a clinical trial evaluating “StromaForte,” a cellular therapy for knee osteoarthritis. The treatment demonstrated both safety and therapeutic potential, representing a breakthrough in managing degenerative joint disorders.
In a bold leap toward revolutionizing cancer treatment, M42, a global health tech company driven by AI, is developing a heavy ion therapy center at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. This will introduce one of the most precise and effective cancer treatments to the region.
During the recently concluded Abu Dhabi Global Healthcare Week 2025, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi also showcased new cancer care initiatives. Among them is a remote monitoring program featuring the “BioButton” wearable device, designed for use by patients at the Fatima Bint Mubarak Centre to enhance ongoing care and recovery.
Through a combination of pioneering clinical achievements and futuristic technologies, the UAE is not only transforming its own healthcare landscape but also shaping the global future of medicine.
