Increase in medical tourism cases of patients with special needs from GCC countries

Wednesday, Oct 22, 2014

Saudi toddler who couldn’t walk nor experience sense of touch undergoes rehabilitation at Dubai Healthcare City; case highlights development delay with sensory issues and an underlying medical condition

The volume of patients with special needs seeking treatment at Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC) has surged.

From January to June this year, DHCC-based clinical facilities that provide therapy and treatment for individuals with special needs have reported an increase in patients from GCC and neighboring countries compared to the same period last year.

The most recent patient case is that of a Saudi toddler, Mohsen, who could neither walk nor experience the sense of touch. Today, he can walk and climb stairs, and eat by himself. He shows interest in playing with different toys.

DHCC, a health and wellness destination that brings together a wealth of services in healthcare, medical education and research, has eight facilities that cater to patients with special needs.

Examples include Singhania Children's Clinic that saw an average of 100 foreign patients in the first half of 2014 compared to 89 last year whereas Dr Majdi El Halik Physical and Mental Rehabilitation Centre (MHRC) reported 293 patients from January to June this year up from 262 patients during the same period last year.

The patient case study of the toddler is from the Dr Majdi El Halik Physical and Mental Rehabilitation Centre.

At 11 months, Mohsen presented signs of delayed development when compared to his elder brothers. At a private hospital in Saudi Arabia, he underwent series of diagnostic tests, and therapies involving physical therapy thrice a week and occupational therapy twice a week.

Concerns grew as he showed limited physical development coupled with poor nutrition. He could hop, but couldn't stand or walk. Due to limited motor skills he couldn't play or eat by himself.

During a routine hospital visit, Mohsen's parents heard about the DHCC-based Dr Majdi El Halik Physical and Mental Rehabilitation Centre that specializes in a spectrum of approaches including those that accelerate functional progress, correct patterns of movement, and improve response through drugs.

The parents travelled to Dubai Healthcare City in September, 2013. At the Centre, Mohsen, then a year-and-a-half old, was diagnosed with developmental delay with an underlying chromosomal medical condition. (Development delay is a significant lag in a child's physical and mental development.) The toddler was also diagnosed with sensory issues which resulted in him using only the tips of his fingers.

Mohsen was enrolled in an intensive rehabilitation programme which included physical therapy, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy aimed to help the blood carry more oxygen to the organs and tissues in the body.

Almost a year into rehabilitation, during which the family visited thrice, staying up to three weeks each visit, the toddler has been able to achieve the goal of independent walking and independent stair climbing. He has developed his sensory, motor and mobility skills.

Dr El Halik, Managing Director of the Centre said, "Mohsen and his family have gone through a great deal of hardship; his case was very complex. Our main focus was to improve the muscle strength to attain the developmental milestones." 

Jisha V George, Physical Therapist at MHRC, said: “The focus was on improving muscle strength to attain the developmental milestones. Physical therapy included moist heat packs to lower limb muscles and leg muscle stretching. Mohsen also underwent neuro-developmental techniques to facilitate normal development. Facilitation techniques concentrated on standing, weight bearing, trunk, and lower extremity mobility and control.” 

Maira Umair, Occupational Therapist at MHRC, said: "With the application of sensory integrative approach, we succeeded in getting Mohsen to be able to play with sand and soft textured materials. The parents were also given training to implement a home programme that will further support the development of Mohsen's senses."

Mohsen and his parents have returned to Saudi Arabia.

The parents are grateful. Mohsen's father Ali Al Mubarak said, "We cannot be happier to see our son exhibit developmental growth as children of his age. It gives us a great sense of gratitude to see him able to walk and play without difficulty. We are very grateful to the staff at MHRC in DHCC, who have demonstrated a distinctive level of professionalism and high medical attentiveness that has eased the experience for the entire family."

Dr Fatma Alsharaf, Strategy and Partner Development Senior Manager, who leads medical tourism strategy at Dubai Healthcare City, said, "The treatment of special needs patients requires specialized expertise - early detection, treatment and rehabilitation, that is currently offered through our highly-trained professionals. Given our geographical proximity, patients from GCC countries can easily travel to Dubai to receive medical treatment and follow up."

DHCC has witnessed a 20 per cent rise in the number of patient visits in the first half of 2014; 15 per cent of those were medical tourists from GCC, Arab World, Eastern and Western Europe and Asia.

Medical tourism is approached at a strategic level at DHCC, the world's largest healthcare free-zone located in the heart of the emirate. DHCC was launched in 2002 to meet the demand for high-quality and patient-centered healthcare.

Caption: Medical tourism patient case study: Saudi toddler Mohsen's who couldn't walk nor experience sense of touch underwent intensive rehabilitation at Dr Majdi El Halik Physical and Mental Rehabilitation Centre at Dubai Healthcare City for almost a year, during which the family visited thrice, staying up to three weeks each visit.