UAE, ABU DHABI— In a remarkable medical feat, a team of doctors in Abu Dhabi successfully performed a series of complex operations to save the life of a newborn, Baby Awad, diagnosed with a severe heart defect. The baby was treated at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC), where a multidisciplinary team of cardiologists and surgeons worked together to carry out life-saving surgeries during his first few weeks of life.
Led by Dr Benedict Rajkumar, a paediatric and neonatal cardiac surgeon, the team performed several critical procedures, including an arterial switch operation, intraventricular tunnel repair, and right ventricular muscle bundle resection. The baby's small size made these surgeries even more challenging, but they proved successful.
After the Initial Surgeries, Baby Awad was discharged in June, but complications later arose, requiring readmission due to desaturation—dangerously low blood oxygen levels. The medical team quickly adapted and implemented a comprehensive care plan that included tracking the baby's weight gain and scheduling regular follow-up visits to the paediatric cardiology clinic.
Baby Awad has Now Fully Recovered, a testament to the collaborative efforts of the medical professionals at SKMC. Dr. Rajkumar emphasised the importance of teamwork in the successful treatment of complex congenital heart disease, which affects about 1% of newborns, with one in four cases being critical and requiring early surgery.
SKMC, part of the SEHA network and recognised as a Centre of Excellence for Paediatric Cardiac Surgery, remains a leader in specialised care for congenital heart defects.
