Dubai, March 30, 2026: The UAE Frontline Heroes Office reaffirmed its participation in the global celebrations of World Doctors’ Day, observed annually on March 30, in recognition of the noble humanitarian role doctors play around the world and their essential contributions to protecting human health and enhancing quality of life.

The Office highlighted that World Doctors’ Day represents a distinguished occasion to honor the efforts of physicians and celebrate their noble mission, which goes beyond the boundaries of the profession to embody deep human values rooted in compassion, dedication, and responsibility. It also serves as an opportunity to shed light on the vital role doctors play in building resilient and healthy societies capable of facing challenges and preserving lives under all circumstances.

The Frontline Heroes Office expressed its deep appreciation and pride in the doctors of the United Arab Emirates—true heroes on the frontlines—who continue to perform their duties with the highest levels of competence and dedication, particularly amid ongoing challenges. Their unwavering commitment reflects the highest standards of professionalism and humanity, embodying the spirit of national responsibility that defines UAE society.

The Office further emphasized that healthcare professionals stand at the forefront of protecting the community, and that their efforts are a cornerstone in ensuring the sustainability and readiness of the healthcare system. Supporting and recognizing them strengthens their ability to continue delivering their noble mission with excellence.

In this context, Dr. Kishan Pakkal, CEO of International Modern Hospital, said:

“On World Doctors’ Day, we are reminded that healthcare is not just a profession—it is a profound responsibility toward humanity. Across the UAE, doctors continue to exemplify resilience, compassion, and excellence, standing at the forefront of safeguarding our communities. At International Modern Hospital, we take immense pride in our doctors who consistently uphold the highest standards of care while embodying the nation’s vision of placing people and wellbeing at the heart of progress. Today, we celebrate not only their clinical achievements, but their unwavering commitment to life, dignity, and hope.”

Dr. Rohit Kumar, Medical Director & Specialist General Surgeon at International Modern Hospital, Dubai, added:

“Being a doctor is a lifelong commitment to healing, service, and trust. On this World Doctors’ Day, we honor the dedication of healthcare professionals who go beyond medicine to touch lives with empathy and integrity. In the UAE, we are privileged to be part of a healthcare ecosystem that empowers doctors to deliver world-class care while staying deeply connected to the communities we serve. Every patient interaction is a reminder of our purpose—to protect, to heal, and to make a meaningful difference every single day.”

In the same context, Dr. Mohammad Marouf, Consultant Plastic Surgeon at Quttainah Specialized Hospital, stated:

“The modern concept of healthcare is no longer limited to ‘treating illness’ alone, but has evolved to encompass the broader goal of ‘restoring quality of life.’ At Quttainah Specialized Hospital, we believe that every medical intervention—whether surgical or therapeutic—aims fundamentally to restore the balance between physical health and psychological wellbeing.

Through our daily medical practice, we strive to empower individuals to regain their confidence and vitality. The relationship between external appearance and internal satisfaction is deeply interconnected. This is where the importance of scientific and technological advancements in the UAE’s healthcare sector becomes evident, as it increasingly focuses on delivering precise medical solutions that ensure ‘safety and sustainability,’ while preserving each patient’s individuality.

At Quttainah, we believe that the true success of any medical team is not measured solely by the technical success of a procedure, but by the positive impact it leaves on a person’s life—its ability to open a ‘new chapter’ of confidence and optimism. Medicine, at its core, is a message of hope, and our mission is to harness knowledge and expertise to be partners in every patient’s journey toward recovery and wellbeing.”

The Frontline Heroes Office concluded by reaffirming that celebrating World Doctors’ Day reflects the UAE’s vision of placing people at the center of its priorities and fostering a culture of appreciation for all those who serve the community. Doctors will always remain a symbol of humanitarian giving and a model of dedication and sincerity in the service of life.

Dubai, UAE – 25 March 2026

Saudi German Hospital Dubai has successfully performed a highly complex minimally invasive cardiothoracic procedure using advanced 3D endoscopic technology, marking a significant milestone in the UAE’s healthcare landscape.

The procedure involved the removal of a large posterior mediastinal tumor measuring approximately 10 cm in a 37-year-old female patient. The mass was intricately positioned and closely associated with critical structures, including the left atrium, pulmonary artery, azygos vein, and thoracic descending aorta, while causing near-total compression of the esophagus.

Given the tumor’s size and proximity to major cardiovascular structures, such cases are widely considered among the most challenging in thoracic surgery and are typically managed through open surgical approaches in many leading international centers.

Despite these complexities, the surgical team at Saudi German Hospital Dubai successfully performed the operation using Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS), supported by a cutting-edge 3D endoscopy system.

The procedure was led by Dr. Bassil Al-Zamkan, Consultant and Head of Cardiothoracic Surgery, alongside a highly specialized multidisciplinary team. The surgery was completed within two hours, achieving complete tumor resection with minimal blood loss and no reported complications.

“This case demonstrates how far minimally invasive cardiothoracic surgery has advanced,” said Dr. Bassil Al-Zamkan. “Managing a tumor of this size and complexity—particularly with its proximity to major vascular structures—would traditionally require open surgery. With 3D visualization, we are able to operate with enhanced precision and depth perception, allowing us to achieve excellent outcomes while minimizing risk to the patient.”

The use of 3D endoscopic technology provided superior anatomical clarity and depth perception, enabling the surgical team to navigate safely around vital structures in a highly confined operative field.

The patient experienced a smooth postoperative recovery and was discharged in stable condition after five days. The minimally invasive approach contributed to reduced postoperative pain, smaller incisions, faster recovery, and improved overall patient experience.

Commenting on the achievement, Dr. Ahmed Eissa, CEO of Saudi German Health UAE, said:

“This milestone reflects our commitment to advancing surgical innovation in the UAE. By integrating 3D endoscopic technology into complex procedures, we enhance precision, reduce risk, and deliver better outcomes for our patients.”

Saudi German Hospital Dubai extended its appreciation to the multidisciplinary team, including anesthesiology, intensive care, nursing, and surgical support staff, whose coordination and expertise were critical to the success of this case.

This achievement underscores Saudi German Hospital Dubai’s position as a leading center for advanced cardiothoracic surgery in the region, continuing to push the boundaries of minimally invasive techniques in line with global best practices.

About Saudi German Hospital Dubai

Saudi German Hospital Dubai is part of Saudi German Health, one of the largest private healthcare groups in the Middle East, committed to delivering international standards of care through innovation, advanced technology, and clinical excellence.

Anxiety is a word that’s often tossed around lightly and used as if it’s just another synonym for stress — something mildly bothersome, but relatable, since hey, don’t we all feel that way from time to time? True anxiety, however, goes way beyond that. Anxiety disorder is a serious, debilitating mental health issue, one that the Anxiety and Depression Association of America says affects some 40 million people in the U.S. every year. That’s 18.1 percent of the population, or nearly 1 out of 5 of us. (These statistics are only tracking adults aged 18 and up and don’t take into account child and teen anxiety.) 

While anxiety may stem from any number of causes — genetics, brain chemistry, traumatic life events — it is still considered to be very responsive to treatment, although only 36.9 percent of those suffering from anxiety disorder ever seek professional help. Dr. Meghan Marcum, chief psychologist at mental health treatment center A Mission for Michael, offers some hope even for those who don’t want to (or cannot) access therapy. She says that “just a few changes to your daily routine could make a significant difference.”

Stay in the moment

According to Marcum, “when we are anxious there is essentially too much worry going on in our minds, usually about the future.” She suggests that the first step towards managing anxiety lies in paying close attention to where our thoughts are going. She says that it is just a waste of time and energy to occupy your mind with brooding or fretting over anything you can’t control, and there’s a lot you can’t control — the weather, the state of the nation, your team’s chances of winning the Super Bowl, the list goes on and on. Marcum advises instead: “Refocus your thoughts on the present moment and attend to what you DO have control over throughout the day.”

Take deep breaths

Marcum says that anxiety affects not only our minds but also our bodies. Some of the ways in which it can manifest itself, she says, are as muscle tension, an upset stomach, a feeling of being “on edge,” a rapid heart rate, or shortness of breath. In order to ramp down the anxiety instead of having the physical symptoms spiral you into feelings of panic, she says to be aware of what’s going on in your body.

One quick trick she swears by for calming down is diaphragmatic breathing. All you need to do, says Marcum, is to “take a slow, deep breath in through your nose and slowly release it through your mouth.” Repeat, focusing on each breath, until you start to feel less tense. Marcus says that this type of breathing “helps decrease heart rate and blood pressure,’ and adds that it “can quickly help alleviate symptoms of anxiety.”

Take time to relax

In order to prevent anxious feelings from building up, Marcum says it’s important to take a proactive approach and build in time for relaxing activities throughout the week. She particularly advises trying to wean yourself off technology and media, at least for short intervals, since the world is already enough of a stressful place and being “plugged in” at all times doesn’t really help.

Instead, Marcum suggests activities such as meditation, exercise, gardening, massage, or a hot bath. She says you should “set aside some time each day to relax and unwind… chose an activity that works for you and make sure you plan on 20 minutes a day.”

Don’t give up on finding help

Don’t discount the idea of seeking professional help if self-management techniques aren’t sufficient to alleviate your anxiety. As Marcum says, ‘If anxiety symptoms are causing disruption to your work or relationships it’s probably a good idea to seek professional help,” and goes on to add that “you may be surprised at how quickly you can make progress in managing anxiety with a mental health professional.” As to how you go about finding professional help, Marcum advises calling your insurance carrier (or you could also try navigating their website) or maybe getting a referral from your primary care physician. 

If you do not have adequate health insurance and funds are tight, that doesn’t mean there’s no help available. The Anxiety and Depression Association of America has a tool that will help you locate a therapist in your area and says that many mental health professionals will offer a sliding-scale fee based on your income if you don’t have the insurance to cover the treatment you need. They also suggest seeking low-cost treatment from federally funded health centers or even from colleges and universities where graduate students may offer counseling services at a discounted rate in order to gain experience in the field. Should you be in need of anti-anxiety medication, check into the patient assistance programs offered by many major pharmaceutical companies. If you qualify, you may be able to receive your meds for cheap or even free.

The List