The Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Minister of Finance, Head of Dubai Health Authority, and Patron of Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Medical Sciences, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum has honored His Excellency the Minister of Health, Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Rabeeah for winning Hamdan’s Award for prominent medical figures in the Arab World, along with twenty one physicians winning the seventh round of Hamdan’s Award with its three categories; international, Arab and Dubai Awards. The honoring ceremony was held yesterday evening at “Rashid” Hall annexed to Dubai international Convention and Exhibition Center.
The Patron of Hamdan’s Award has received from Dr. Al-Rabeeah his book “My Expertise with Conjoined Twins” as a souvenir, in which he documented his expertise in conjoined twins separation surgeries during the past 22 years.
In a press release following the ceremony, Dr. Al-Rabeeah has lauded the brotherly relationship between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, stressing on the constant interrelationship, cooperation and coordination between both countries, with regard to all that promotes the level of Health services.
Dr Al-Rabeeah pointed out that there are several mutual health projects and programs unifying the visions and objectives of concern to GCC, especially of the health issues. “The Council of GCC Ministers of Health represents a link between all GCC countries in this regard,” Al-Rabeeah noted.
His Excellency the Minister of Health expressed his pleasure of visiting his second country, UAE, meanwhile commending the warm reception and generous hospitality he received therein. In addition, Dr. Al-Rabeeah said that this year’s nomination and honoring of him from UAE, represented by “Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award” for Medical Sciences, offered to the eminent medical figures in the Arab World, is not only an honoring to him personally but an honoring and appreciation to the noble humanitarian profession of Medicine and all employees in the health domain as well. Moreover, Dr. Al-Rabeeah has lauded this Award which carries great meanings, significant implications and several messages aiming at encouraging and motivating researchers, scientists and physicians who have presented outstanding achievements in the medicine, research and different public health domains. Afterwards, Dr. Al Rabeeah extended his thanks to all those responsible for the Award, led by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
His Excellency Dr. Al-Rabeeah has prayed for Allah to preserve both countries and their leaderships, perpetuate their safety and prosperity, and make the relationship between them achieve their leaderships’ aspirations and the wishes of their peoples.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Al Rabeeah is the head of the medical team conducting the conjoined twins separation surgeries since its inception in 1990. The number of cases received by the Kingdom has reached about 69 cases of conjoined twins from 17 countries, of which 30 cases have been successfully separated. Dr. Al- Rabeeah is marked by conducting such difficult and complex operations, that is to be added to his long expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of pancreas diseases among infants; considering the fact that he oversaw 65 cases of this type. Besides, he presented more than 60 scientific researches published in the international medical journals and participated with more than 68 abstracts in the conferences, symposia and specialized medical local and international workshops, aside from overtaking his tasks and responsibilities as a Minister of Health since February 2009 and up to now.