UAE prosthetic program delivers free life-changing surgeries for patients from Palestine, US, and India under 10 Journeys Initiative.
ABU DHABI: The UAE has once again placed itself at the forefront of humanitarian healthcare, with Burjeel Medical City successfully completing three life-changing prosthetic surgeries under the AED 4 million 10 Journeys Initiative. Launched by Dr. Shamsheer Vayalil, Founder and Chairman of Burjeel Holdings, the initiative pays tribute to Sham and Omar, two children who survived the 2022 Syrian earthquake, and now offers new hope to amputees around the world.
The first three beneficiaries included patients from Palestine, the United States, and India. All underwent groundbreaking osseointegration procedures at the Al Muderis Osseointegration Clinic in Burjeel Medical City, led by globally renowned orthopaedic surgeon Prof. Dr. Munjed Al Muderis. Unlike traditional socket-based prosthetics, osseointegration anchors prosthetic limbs directly to the bone, providing patients with greater stability, improved comfort, and the unique ability to sense surfaces through their artificial limbs.
Among the first patients was Anas Jebeihi, 30, from the West Bank, who lost his leg and eye at the age of 12 in a grenade explosion. He described his surgery in Abu Dhabi as a turning point: “When I got a call from Dr. Munjed’s team, I started dancing in the street. This country has become a place of healing for me,” he said.
Joshua Arnold, 29, from the United States, lost his right arm and partial vision in a 2024 motorcycle accident. He travelled with his fiancée to Abu Dhabi to undergo surgery, calling the experience “truly life-changing.” Joshua praised the UAE’s compassion and healthcare system, saying he plans to return to the country next year to celebrate his honeymoon.
From India, Sharon Cheriyan, 33, who lost his leg in a road accident in 2013, finally found hope after a decade of struggle. “When I saw Dr. Shamsheer’s name, I knew this was my chance. The care and compassion here gave me a sense of dignity,” Sharon said, adding that he now hopes to rebuild his career and expand opportunities in the UAE.
Prof. Dr. Munjed, who has pioneered more than 1,200 osseointegration surgeries globally since 2009, praised the vision behind the initiative. “From the first day I met Dr. Shamsheer, I realised he is a true humanitarian. Anas, Joshua, and Sharon were the best matches for the surgery, and they are already on the road to recovery,” he said.
The selection committee is reviewing additional applications, with seven more patients expected to undergo surgeries in the coming months. The UAE prosthetic program not only restores mobility but also reaffirms the nation’s commitment to innovation, compassion, and global outreach in healthcare.
