Four-year-old undergoes UAE’s first paediatric heart biopsy in Abu Dhabi.
UAE Medical Milestone: First Paediatric Heart Biopsy
Abu Dhabi: The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), the emirate’s healthcare regulator, announced a landmark achievement with the successful completion of a paediatric cardiac biopsy at SEHA Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC), part of Pure Health. The procedure, performed to assess heart function following a transplant, is the first of its kind in the UAE.
Conducted under the DoH’s Visiting Physicians Programme—which brings internationally renowned specialists to Abu Dhabi and enables advanced treatments to be delivered locally—this milestone marks a significant advancement in paediatric care and supports the emirate’s ongoing commitment to providing world-class healthcare to the community.
A four-year-old patient, who had received a heart transplant abroad in 2023, underwent a cardiac biopsy at SKMC. The procedure was performed by Dr. Rizwan Rehman, Consultant Paediatric and Interventional Cardiologist at SKMC, alongside Dr. Joshua Philip Kanter, Consultant Interventional Cardiologist from Children’s National Hospital, USA.
Dr. Khuloud Abdullah, Executive Director of International Patient Care at the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), stated: “This achievement reflects our commitment to advancing healthcare across all specialties in Abu Dhabi. The successful cardiac biopsy highlights the effectiveness of the Visiting Physician Programme in providing access to world-class medical expertise and enhancing local capabilities. By bringing cutting-edge treatments closer to home, we reaffirm our dedication to ensuring every child receives the highest standard of care, fostering a healthier future for our community.”
Saeed Al Kuwaiti, Group Chief Executive Officer of SEHA, added: “SEHA is proud to support the DoH’s Visiting Physician Programme, which plays a key role in raising the standard of specialised care in the emirate. By hosting internationally renowned experts in our hospitals, we enable complex procedures to be performed safely and effectively here in Abu Dhabi. This directly benefits patients and their families, who can access world-class treatment close to home, supported by their loved ones. This milestone at SKMC demonstrates our ongoing commitment to strengthening local capabilities and advancing the quality of paediatric care across our community.”
Dr. Joshua Philip Kanter, Consultant Interventional Cardiologist at Children’s National Hospital, USA, said: “This cardiac biopsy represents a major milestone for Sheikh Khalifa Medical City and for paediatric transplant care in the UAE. It is the first time SKMC has successfully performed this procedure for a paediatric heart transplant patient who had previously received her transplant and follow-up care abroad.”
He added that by offering specialised care in Abu Dhabi, the emirate’s Visiting Physician Programme allows families to remain close to home and supported by their networks. The achievement reflects decades of collaboration with Children’s National Hospital and demonstrates the value of international partnerships in advancing paediatric care.
Dr. Rizwan Rehman, Consultant Paediatric and Interventional Cardiologist at SKMC, said: “Carrying out a cardiac biopsy on a paediatric heart transplant patient at SKMC is a significant milestone for our team and for paediatric care in the UAE. Performed safely with the support of Dr. Joshua Kanter, this procedure showcases our growing capabilities in managing complex transplant cases.
“With all necessary diagnostic blood tests and cardiac biopsy assessments now available locally, we are greatly improving the continuum of care for our young patients. This success also highlights SKMC’s development as a Centre of Excellence in paediatric cardiac surgery and our commitment to collaborating with global experts to deliver best-in-class healthcare to the community. For children like our four-year-old patient, who received her heart transplant abroad, being able to undergo follow-up procedures in Abu Dhabi reduces disruption and increases comfort, surrounded by family in a familiar environment. That is the kind of impact we strive for every day.”
The mother of the four-year-old girl shared her heartfelt gratitude: “When my daughter was a year and a half old, SKMC discovered she had a weakened heart muscle. That marked the start of a long and difficult journey—from Abu Dhabi to abroad. I always prayed that she could be treated within the country, close to home. Today, that prayer has been answered. Thanks to God, our doctors, and our leaders, my daughter is back in my arms after a journey I never imagined would end in such joy.”
This landmark achievement underscores the crucial role of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi’s Visiting Physicians Programme in promoting knowledge exchange, enhancing local healthcare capabilities, and providing access to specialised, advanced care within the UAE. It reinforces Abu Dhabi’s standing as a global healthcare hub committed to innovation, patient safety, and community well-being.
Since the start of 2025, the emirate has welcomed 47 visiting specialists and international experts through the DoH Visiting Physician Programme. These experts have performed 270 advanced surgical procedures and delivered consultations and treatment to 2,200 patients with rare and complex medical conditions.
