Health

Dr. Firas Husban: Leading Spine Care Innovation beyond the Middle East

MENA’s First OLIF Surgeon Transforms Lives and Medical Practices

Amman, Jordan – When Dr. Firas Husban first introduced OLIF surgery in the MENA region, back in 2022, he didn’t just make medical history – He fundamentally transformed the practice in the Middle East, setting the benchmark for minimally invasive spinal care procedures and surgeries across the wider Africa and Asia regions.

Dr. Husban has been pioneering the unchartered spinal surgery territories in the Middle long before he became the first surgeon in the MENA region to perform the Oblique Lumbar Interbody Fusion (OLIF) surgery 3 years ago. So far, Dr. Husban has completed dozens of successful OLIF procedures and is pushing the boundaries for greater incorporation of new minimally invasive techniques and surgeries, to further revolutionize spine care in the region.

Dr. Firas Husban: A Living Legacy of Excellence and Innovation

With over 28 years of experience as a consultant orthopedic surgeon specializing in spine surgery, Dr. Husban has dedicated his career to advancing spine care and improving post-treatment recovery with new techniques.

Three decades into his practice, Dr. Husban is today the Regional Chief Officer of Spine Centers & Fellowships with AOspine Middle East and an international lecturer for both AOTrauma and AOspine. He is also the leading spine surgeon at the Emirates Specialty Hospital, one of the most prominent medical institutions in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

With expertise spanning a wide range of spine conditions, Dr. Husban’s distinct specialization is treating complex spinal deformities, including scoliosis (idiopathic, congenital, and neuromuscular) in both adults and children. His commitment to adopting cutting-edge surgical techniques has positioned him at the forefront of spine surgery innovation in the region, OLIF procedures notwithstanding.

What is OLIF and what makes it a minimally invasive spine surgery

Oblique Lumbar Interbody Fusion (OLIF) procedures are an advanced, highly specialized type of minimally invasive spine surgery. This advanced technique allows surgeons to access the spine through a lateral approach, resulting in:

Minimal surgical incisions
Reduced blood loss
Shorter recovery times
Lower risk of complications
Improved patient outcomes

The procedure is particularly effective for treating degenerative disc disease, spinal instability, and certain types of spinal deformities.

Success Stories: Why are OLIF Surgeries Preferred by Dr. Firas Husban

Since 2022, when Dr. Husban brought OLIF to the Middle East, he has performed dozens of minimally invasive surgeries, especially OLIF procedures, with an outstanding success rate. He has treated patients from all age and gender groups, including adolescents and elderlies with simple to complex and advanced spinal deformities and illnesses. In fact, out of Dr. Husban’s many success stories, there are three that specifically demonstrate the remarkable long-term durability of the technique.

Case 1: Mohammad Al-Shammari – Age is No Barrier to Advanced Spinal Care

Mohammad Al-Shammari, an 81-year-old patient from Saudi Arabia, exemplifies how OLIF surgery can safely benefit even elderly patients who might not be candidates for traditional spine surgery.

OLIF Patient (81 years old) Mohammad Al-Shammari (Center Left) poses for a photo with Dr. Firas Husban (Center Right) during a follow-up visit at the doctor’s clinc after recovering from procedure – (Source: Dr. Firas Husban / Checkers Inc.)

Dr. Husban performed a minimally invasive endoscopic procedure to stabilize vertebrae L2 through L5. The surgery was completed through small skin incisions with no bleeding or complications – a testament to the safety profile of this advanced technique.

The X-Ray image above shows a part of 81-years-old) Mohammad Al-Shammari’s spine from the back and side after undergoing the OLIF procedure – (Source: Dr. Firas Husban / Checkers Inc.)

Mohammad Al-Shammari’s is living, walking proof that age need not be a contraindication when cutting-edge minimally invasive approaches are employed by skilled hands. If anything, procedures like OLIF can significantly enhance the life quality of patients of all ages, making life easier for people who otherwise would have to go through their lives limited by pain and constrained mobility.

Case 2: Dalia – Complete Return to Active Life

Dalia, a 26-year-old patient from Iraq, represents an entirely different case, compared to contraindication. Her case highlights the transformative potential of OLIF surgery for young adults facing debilitating spine conditions. She underwent minimally invasive endoscopic surgery to remove a herniated disc and stabilize vertebrae L5 to S1.

Young 26-year-old Dalia from Iraq speaks in this video about her experience with OLIF and treatment by Dr. Firas Husban – (Source: Dr. Firas Husban / Checkers Inc.)

This case powerfully demonstrates the new technique’s ability to deliver complete functional restoration, as Dalia has fully regained her movement and activity level. She returned to her normal life without the chronic pain that had previously constrained her. For young patients like Dalia, OLIF doesn’t just alleviate symptoms; it restores the promise of an active, unrestricted future.

Case 3: Zainab – A Decade of Sustained Success

Perhaps the most compelling case treated by Dr. Firas Husban is Zainab’s, having undergone spinal fusion from L5 to S1 vertebras, using the OLIF technique with bone cage and anterior fixation.

The above X-Ray image shows the complexity of the OLIF procedure conducted by Dr. Firas Husban on Zainab more than 10 years ago – (Source: Dr. Firas Husban / Checkers Inc.)

One of the most intricate and composite procedures, Zainab’s post-operative imaging at the time (above) shows clear vertebral alignment and stability achieved through minimal intervention.

Today, a full decade later, Zainab continues to enjoy good health with a stable spine – living proof that OLIF delivers not just immediate relief, but lasting results.

Young 26-year-old Dalia from Iraq speaks in this video about her experience with OLIF and treatment by Dr. Firas Husban – (Source: Dr. Firas Husban / Checkers Inc.)

This case provides powerful evidence of the technique’s reliability and Dr. Husban’s surgical precision, with benefits that endure year after year.

Beyond Cases: Dr. Husban is Transforming Practices as well as Lives

Clearly, Dr. Husban’s impact extends far beyond the OR (Operating Room). As Regional Chief Officer of Spine Centers & Fellowships for AOspine Middle East, he has been instrumental in elevating spine surgery standards across the entire region. His introduction of OLIF regionally has created a ripple effect – training programs have been established, local surgeons have been mentored in this specific technique, and patients who once needed to travel abroad for OLIF procedures can now receive world-class treatment closer to home.

The dozens of successful OLIF procedures Dr. Husban has performed since that first pioneering surgery represent more than individual medical achievements. He has made an advanced surgical option accessible all throughout the region – bringing a technique that offers superior outcomes with faster recovery times to patients who previously had limited access to such innovations.

Dr. Firas Husban is Committed to Patient-Centered Care and Excellence

“Our clinic focuses on achieving the best possible outcomes to improve patients’ quality of life,” says Dr. Husban. “Whether dealing with spine problems, joints, discs, back, or neck issues, we ensure every procedure is performed with precision and exceptional care.”

The dozens of successful OLIF procedures Dr. Husban has performed – with an outstanding success rate – demonstrate his unwavering commitment to excellence. Over the years, Dr. Husban has consistently delivered Optimal Surgical Outcomes, leveraging minimally invasive techniques for superior results, all while focusing on reduced Patient Discomfort, with minimal pain and complications, shorter Recovery Periods, and personalized Treatment Plans.

This patient-centered philosophy, combined with cutting-edge surgical expertise, explains why patients from across the MENA region seek Dr. Husban’s care for complex spine conditions.

The Broader Impact of Dr. Firas Husban – The Pioneer

Dr. Husban’s pioneering introduction of OLIF surgery to the MENA region has catalyzed systemic changes in spine surgery practice as well as the medical and healthcare sectors region-wide. From Advancing Clinical Standards to Building Regional Capacity and Localizing Medical Tourism, the impact of Dr. Firas Husban’s innovations is multifaceted.

Setting New Benchmarks for Spinal Care, Surgery

By demonstrating the superior outcomes achievable with minimally invasive approaches, Dr. Husban has raised the bar for what patients can expect from spine surgery. Traditional open procedures, once the standard of care, are increasingly giving way to techniques that prioritize patient recovery and quality of life.

Boosting Spinal Care Capacities across the Region

As Regional Chief Officer of Spine Centers & Fellowships of AOspine Middle East, Dr. Husban is actively engaged in training surgeons across the region in advanced minimally invasive surgical techniques. This knowledge transfer ensures that OLIF and other minimally invasive procedures become standard practice, not exceptional care.

Boosting Medical Tourism Economies Region-wide

Patients from Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and across the MENA region who once traveled to Europe or North America for advanced spine surgery can now receive world-class care locally. This represents not just convenience, but a fundamental shift in regional healthcare capability, paving the way for significant economic benefits as well as social and medical. The possible outcomes of a localized, world-class surgical capacity such as this, while quantifiable, can only be speculated at this point.

Dr. Husban’s resounding success with OLIF has created momentum for adopting other advanced techniques across the region, fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement in spine surgery practice.

Dr. Firas Husban’s Continued Leadership and Innovation

Dr. Husban’s journey from being the first to perform OLIF in the MENA region to becoming a leading voice in spine surgery transformation continues to evolve.

As an international lecturer for AOspine and AOTrauma, he shares his expertise with surgeons worldwide while continuously advancing spine care in his home region. His role as Educational Officer for AOspine Jordan Chapter ensures that each new generation of spine surgeons learns not just techniques, but the philosophy of patient-centered, minimally invasive care.

With nearly three decades of experience, over 30 published papers and conference presentations, and dozens of successful OLIF procedures alongside countless other spine surgeries, Dr. Husban represents the synthesis of surgical excellence, innovation, patient care, and dedication to advancing the field. His work demonstrates that true pioneering achievement isn’t just about being first – it’s about transforming practices, elevating others, and consistently delivering outstanding outcomes that change lives.

About Dr. Firas Mohammad Husban

Dr. Firas Husban is a consultant spine and orthopedic surgeon with over 28 years of experience. He specializes in disc problems, back and neck conditions, complex spinal deformities, minimally invasive endoscopic spine surgery, spinal correction procedures, and spinal tumor treatment. He serves as Regional Chief Officer of Spine Centers & Fellowships of AOspine Middle East and is recognized internationally as a lecturer and educator in spine surgery.

For more information about advanced spine surgery options, please contact Dr. Husban’s clinic.

Health

Emirates Specialty Hospital Expands Cancer Care Services in Dubai with Opening of Dedicated Chemotherapy Unit

New facility at Dubai Healthcare City aims to improve access to specialised cancer treatment, bringing personalised oncology care and medical expertise together under one roof

Dubai, UAE: Emirates Specialty Hospital in Dubai Healthcare City has announced the opening of a dedicated chemotherapy unit within its Emirates Oncology Centre, marking a significant expansion of its cancer care services and strengthening access to specialised oncology treatment for patients in Dubai.

The newly established unit has been designed to provide chemotherapy treatments in a dedicated clinical setting, with an emphasis on patient safety, individualised treatment plans and continuous medical support throughout the cancer care journey.

The opening comes as healthcare providers increasingly recognise the importance of delivering cancer treatment through a coordinated, multidisciplinary approach that addresses not only the disease itself but also the physical and emotional challenges patients may experience during treatment.

For many cancer patients, chemotherapy involves repeated hospital visits, ongoing medical assessments and careful monitoring of treatment responses and potential side effects. Access to a specialised facility supported by experienced oncology professionals can play an important role in ensuring continuity of care and helping patients navigate what is often a complex and demanding treatment journey.

Bringing specialised cancer treatment closer to patients

The Emirates Oncology Centre brings together medical expertise and patient-focused services to support individuals undergoing cancer treatment.

The oncology services are supervised by Prof. Dr. Marwan Ghosn, Consultant Medical Oncologist, and Dr. Mohamed Elbassyouny Alawy, Specialist Medical Oncology, who oversee the delivery of specialised oncology care.

Treatment plans are developed according to each patient’s diagnosis, medical condition and individual clinical needs, with an emphasis on evidence-based medical practice, careful monitoring and appropriate supportive care.

The dedicated chemotherapy unit forms part of the hospital’s broader strategy to strengthen its specialised medical services while maintaining high standards of clinical quality and patient safety.

Cancer care goes beyond chemotherapy

While chemotherapy remains an important treatment option for many types of cancer, oncology care increasingly requires a comprehensive approach that considers each patient’s overall health, treatment tolerance and quality of life.

Patients receiving chemotherapy may experience a range of challenges, including fatigue, nausea, changes in appetite and other treatment-related effects that require ongoing medical attention.

The Emirates Oncology Centre places particular emphasis on supporting patients throughout these challenges, with treatment decisions guided by clinical assessment and individual patient needs.

The approach reflects a growing shift in cancer care towards personalised treatment, where medical teams consider the characteristics of the disease alongside the patient’s health, circumstances and treatment goals.

Equally important is the need for clear communication between doctors, patients and their families, particularly when discussing treatment options, expected outcomes and possible side effects.

By placing patients at the centre of clinical decision-making, the hospital aims to provide a treatment experience built around medical expertise, informed choices and compassionate care.

Strengthening Dubai’s specialised healthcare services

The opening of the chemotherapy unit represents another step in Emirates Specialty Hospital’s ongoing efforts to expand its clinical capabilities and provide comprehensive healthcare services within Dubai Healthcare City.

As demand for specialised healthcare continues to evolve, the availability of dedicated oncology facilities is increasingly important in supporting timely access to treatment and ensuring patients can receive appropriate care within an established hospital environment.

The hospital said the new unit reflects its commitment to investing in specialised medical services and improving the overall patient experience through coordinated care, experienced healthcare professionals and a strong focus on clinical safety.

With the opening of the dedicated chemotherapy unit, Emirates Specialty Hospital aims to further strengthen its role in providing specialised cancer care in Dubai, offering patients and their families access to personalised treatment and medical support at every stage of their journey.

For more information please visit our website : Emirates Hospitals Dubai – Best Hospital in Dubai, Top Rated

About Emirates Specialty Hospital

Located in Dubai Healthcare City, Emirates Specialty Hospital is a multidisciplinary healthcare facility providing a range of specialised medical and surgical services. The hospital continues to expand its clinical capabilities, with a focus on medical expertise, patient-centred care and high standards of healthcare quality and safety.

Health

When Rheumatoid Arthritis Threatened Her Independence: How the Right Diagnosis Helped Her Get Her Life Back

For a 45-year-old UAE resident, persistent pain and swelling turned out to be rheumatoid arthritis. Early recognition and treatment helped her return to work, driving and the family life she feared she might lose.

For Dilini Ayesha, driving is much more than a job.

For the 45-year-old mother of two, who has lived in the UAE for 16 years, driving is a profession she has built her independence around. For the past eight years, she has worked as a driving instructor at Emirates Driving Institute, including as a VIP instructor training people to drive larger vehicles and four-wheel drives.

She is also a mother to an adopted daughter and a five-year-old son.

So when unexplained pain and swelling suddenly began affecting her hands, her greatest fear was not simply the pain itself. It was the possibility that rheumatoid arthritis might prevent her from continuing to work and caring for her family independently.

Her journey began with what appeared to be an unrelated injury.

In December 2024, Dilini fell and injured her knee while helping a recovery truck load her vehicle. Several months later, she suffered another fall at home, causing a more significant knee injury. Following an MRI, she underwent ACL reconstruction and meniscal repair and spent around two and a half months recovering.

She was looking forward to returning to her normal routine.

But shortly after returning to work, she developed severe swelling and pain in both hands.

“At first, I thought it might be connected to my surgery or that it would settle down,” Dilini recalls. “But the pain kept getting worse.”

She was prescribed different painkillers, but the symptoms continued to progress. She eventually found herself struggling to grip a steering wheel or use her hands normally.

“For me, the pain felt like 15 out of 10,” she says. “I know that isn’t a normal pain scale, but that is honestly how it felt.”

The physical pain was accompanied by something else: fear.

“What if I can’t drive anymore? What if I can’t work anymore? How will I take care of my children?”

It was at this point that Dilini was referred to Dr Muhammad Azhar Abdullah, Consultant Rheumatologist at NMC Royal Hospital Sharjah.

Rather than assuming that the symptoms were simply part of her recovery from the knee injury, Dr Azhar investigated the underlying cause.

Clinical assessment and blood investigations pointed towards rheumatoid arthritis (RA) — a chronic autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the lining of the joints, causing inflammation, pain and swelling.

“Rheumatoid arthritis is not simply wear and tear of the joints,” explains Dr Azhar. “It is an inflammatory autoimmune disease, and if the inflammation remains uncontrolled, it can progressively damage the joints. It can also be associated with problems affecting other parts of the body.”

For Dilini, receiving a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis finally provided an explanation for what was happening to her body.

“Having an answer was important to me,” she says. “When you don’t know what is happening to your own body, the fear becomes even bigger.”

Why recognising rheumatoid arthritis early matters

Rheumatoid arthritis can present differently from person to person, but persistent joint swelling, prolonged morning stiffness, pain and difficulty moving the affected joints should not simply be dismissed as ageing, overuse or ordinary aches and pains.

One important distinction is that not all arthritis is rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis, gout, psoriatic arthritis and other inflammatory rheumatic diseases can produce joint symptoms, but their causes and treatments are different.

That is why identifying the underlying condition matters.

In Dilini’s case, identifying rheumatoid arthritis allowed treatment to be started without waiting for further progression.

“Once we identified that she was dealing with rheumatoid arthritis, the priority was to control the inflammation and prevent further problems,” says Dr Azhar. “The aim of treatment in rheumatoid arthritis is not simply to reduce pain temporarily. It is to control the underlying disease, protect joint function and help the patient maintain her quality of life and independence.”

Her improvement was gradual rather than an overnight transformation.

Over the following weeks, the inflammation and pain began to settle. Her hand function and mobility improved, and by around the third week, Dilini was able to return to work.

She could once again hold the steering wheel.

She could work.

And she could return home and care for her children independently.

“I felt like I had been given my life back,” she says.

When treating rheumatoid arthritis means protecting a person’s dreams

This year’s World Arthritis Day campaign theme, “Achieve Your Dreams,” highlights the aspirations and goals of people living with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases. For Dilini, her dream was not complicated.

It was to continue working, driving and being there for her children.

Her experience demonstrates why early recognition of rheumatoid arthritis matters. The disease can cause permanent joint damage if inflammation remains uncontrolled, while it may also have effects beyond the joints.

“Patients sometimes wait because they think joint pain is something they simply have to live with,” says Dr Azhar. “Persistent swelling, prolonged morning stiffness or unexplained joint pain deserve medical assessment, particularly when symptoms are affecting everyday activities. The earlier we identify rheumatoid arthritis, the earlier we can discuss appropriate treatment and work towards controlling the disease.”

Today, Dilini is back behind the wheel and back to the life she feared she might lose.

“I am driving. I am working. I am taking care of my children,” she says. “I don’t take any of those things for granted anymore.”

Her message to others is simple:

“If you are experiencing unexplained pain, swelling or stiffness, please don’t ignore it. Get yourself checked. Sometimes, getting the right answer can be the beginning of getting your life back.”

For Dilini, that diagnosis did more than explain her symptoms.

It helped protect the life she had worked so hard to build.

Dr Muhammad Azhar Abdullah is Consultant Rheumatologist at NMC Royal Hospital Sharjah.

Health

Saudi German Hospital Dubai Launches Mental Health and Wellness Center for Children and Adolescents

Saudi German Hospital Dubai Launches Mental Health and Wellness Center for Children and Adolescents

A comprehensive care system aligned with the Dubai Mental Wealth Framework

Dubai, United Arab Emirates – 10 October 2026

Saudi German Hospital Dubai has launched the Saudi German Mental Health & Wellness Hub, unveiled at an evening event at Raffles The Palm on 9 October 2026. The Hub is designed to end the fragmented experience many families face when navigating mental healthcare by bringing psychiatrists, psychologists and relevant hospital specialties together around a single, shared plan for each patient.

The Hub is designed as an ecosystem of comprehensive care, connecting prevention, early identification, specialist assessment, treatment, family support and ongoing follow-up through one coordinated plan for each patient. The model aligns with Dubai’s Mental Wealth Framework and its emphasis on prevention, early intervention, access to care and community wellbeing.

Child and adolescent mental health sits at the centre of the model. The Hub operates on the conviction that a child’s difficulties cannot be understood in isolation from their home, classroom and development, and that care should reflect all three.

Supporting children and families from the start

Services available at launch for children and adolescents include comprehensive psychiatric and psychological assessment; support for emotional, behavioural and developmental concerns; psychoeducational assessments for learning difficulties; ADHD assessment and management; and ASD assessment with individualised support across communication, social interaction and behaviour. Parent guidance and, where appropriate and with consent, collaboration with schools are built into the pathway — not offered as an afterthought.

Mental health care across every stage of life

Adult and older adult services include psychiatric assessment, medication management and individual therapy; treatment for depression, anxiety, OCD and related conditions; trauma-informed care for PTSD; geriatric psychiatry; couples and family counselling; addiction assessment and treatment; and community mental health education.

Speech and language therapy, occupational therapy and further developmental programmes are in development and will be confirmed once clinical staffing and readiness are in place.

Dr Ahmed Eissa, Group CEO of Saudi German Health UAE, said: “Many families come to us after years of seeing different specialists who never spoke to each other. A child gets one diagnosis here, a referral there, and the parents are left to hold it all together. We designed this Hub as an ecosystem of comprehensive care, bringing psychiatry, psychology and related specialties together around one plan, from early identification to treatment, follow-up and family support. This approach supports the objectives of Dubai’s Mental Wealth Framework and helps more people access coordinated mental healthcare at every stage of life.”

The Hub’s clinical team brings expertise in adult, child and adolescent, and addiction psychiatry; clinical psychology; psychoeducational and neurodevelopmental assessment; psychotherapy; and couples and family counselling. Team members carry international experience from the UAE, Australia, Saudi Arabia and Egypt, with a specific commitment to culturally and linguistically responsive care.

As part of Saudi German Hospital Dubai, the Hub has direct access to other medical specialties when physical and mental health needs intersect — an advantage that standalone clinics cannot easily replicate.

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About Saudi German Health UAE

Saudi German Health UAE is part of the regional Saudi German Health network, providing hospital, multidisciplinary and specialist medical services through its facilities in Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman. Guided by its Caring Like Family philosophy, the group places people and their needs at the centre of the healthcare experience.

For more information or to book an appointment

www.saudigerman.com/psychiatry-mental-health-clinics/

Call: 800 2211

Media Contact

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Mourad Alsayed

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