- Three surgeries successfully performed at Burjeel Medical City under AED 4 million humanitarian initiative announced by Dr. Shamsheer Vayalil.
Abu Dhabi, UAE: Within three months of announcing the 10 Journeys Initiative, a tribute to the courage of Sham and Omar, two children who survived the 2022 Syrian earthquake, the medical team at Burjeel Medical City (BMC) has successfully performed the first free, life-changing surgeries.
Three young men from Palestine, the United States, and India, each of whom suffered devastating accidents, were the first beneficiaries of the AED 4 million program launched by Dr. Shamsheer Vayalil, Founder and Chairman of Burjeel Holdings. The surgeries were led by internationally renowned orthopedic surgeon Prof. Dr. Munjed Al Muderis at the Al Muderis Osseointegration Clinic in BMC. Beneficiaries were selected based on their medical needs and financial situations, with seven more individuals set to undergo the procedure in the coming months.
Osseointegration is a breakthrough surgical technique that anchors prosthetic limbs directly to the skeleton, offering patients greater stability, improved comfort, and enhanced quality of life. Unlike traditional socket prosthetics, osseointegration eliminates discomfort and skin complications, while also providing osseoperception — the ability to sense surfaces through the prosthetic.
A Childhood Shattered, A Future Rebuilt
At the age of 12, Anas Jebeihi lost his left leg and right eye when a grenade exploded in his hands in the West Bank. Now 30, he described his surgery in Abu Dhabi as a turning point in his life. “When I got a call from Dr. Munjed’s team, I started dancing in the street. I knew it was going to be a life-changing moment,” he said. Raised in the Tulkarm refugee camp, Anas endured years of hardship but pursued his education and is completing a master’s degree in electrical engineering. “My first prosthetic was in the UAE with the support of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation, and now my first osseointegration is also here. This country has become a place of healing for me,” he added.
From the US to the UAE for a New Beginning
Joshua Arnold, 29, lost his right arm and vision in his left eye in a motorcycle accident in 2024. He traveled from Louisiana to Abu Dhabi with his fiancée, Alyssa, to undergo surgery. “This opportunity is truly life-changing. I knew I had to make this journey because it meant I would finally have a chance to live again,” Joshua said. With socket prosthetics proving painful and limiting, osseointegration has given him renewed independence.
He praised the UAE’s healthcare and compassion, “From the moment I arrived, I was treated with respect and care. The hospitality here is unlike anything I have ever experienced.” Joshua will continue rehabilitation at the Paley Orthopedic & Spine Institute in Florida and plans to return to the UAE next year to celebrate his honeymoon.
A Decade of Struggle Ends in Hope
Sharon Cheriyan, 33, lost his right leg in a road accident in 2013. For more than a decade he relied on a walking stick and struggled to find acceptance. He learned about osseointegration three years ago but could not afford it until he learned about the 10 Journeys Initiative. “When I saw Dr. Shamsheer’s name, I knew this was my chance,” Sharon recalled. Accompanied by his mother and cousin, he underwent surgery at BMC. “When I got here, I felt a sense of dignity. The care and compassion I experienced were unlike anything I have seen before,” he said. Sharon, who helps run his family’s catering business in Kerala, hopes to rebuild his career and explore opportunities in the UAE.
Prof. Dr. Munjed Al Muderis has been at the forefront of osseointegration since performing his first independent surgery in 2009. Since then, he has successfully treated more than 1,200 amputees at his clinics in Australia.
“From the first day I met Dr. Shamsheer, I realized he is a true visionary who devotes his time and resources to helping others. These are unique cases, and we are proud to support them. Anas, Joshua, and Sharon were the best matches for the surgery. They are recovering well and will begin rehabilitation with their prosthetics in the coming weeks,” said Prof. Dr. Munjed.
The selection committee for the initiative is reviewing additional applications, and the remaining surgeries will be conducted at BMC in the months ahead.
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