Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 19 October 2015: A new gain in Dubai’s vital medical tourism sector has contributed in promoting the emirate’s position on both regional and international levels, as a healthcare destination providing advanced therapeutic and surgical solutions for obesity. This progress was made by adopting the renewable concept of “Weight Management”.
Over the last few years, the number of visitors seeking therapeutic solutions in Dubai has significantly increased, while a total of 170 thousand visitors per year are expected to visit the emirate by the end of this year and the beginning of next year.
Catering to all customers’ needs, Al Zahra Hospital in Dubai provides integrated packages for visitors seeking treatment in its medical centers. In addition to its modern infrastructure and premium location in Sheikh Zayed Road, the hospital provides cutting-edge services that include transportation from and to the airport, visa issuance assistance, flight tickets and accommodation booking.
Dr. Girish Juneja, Director Bariatric Center AZHD clarifies the “Weight Management” concept saying: “Dubai’s massive investments in its healthcare sector, reaching to 15 billion Dirhams per year, have had a great impact on the enhancement of therapeutic approaches in general and obesity treatments and weight loss surgeries in particular”. Dr. Girish stressed that weight loss is no longer related to having a slim and nicely shaped body only; it has rather a more important approach to health issues related to the body’s ability to continue performing its vital functions properly.
It has become known to everyone that obesity lead to many medical complications, like Diabetes type 2 , hypertension , cardiovascular diseases , sleep apnoea some of which are fatal, in the least dangerous cases, it leads to joint problems in walking and movement in general caused by the accumulated negative effect of the knee functions. Studies have also shown that cancer is one of the other serious illnesses added to the endless list of diseases related to obesity.
“The cumulative experience of the local medical staff as well as the qualified expertise imported from all around the world has resulted in developing the renewable concept of “weight management”. This concept represents an integrated system that addresses all causes and therapeutic components to find out the optimal solution for each patient based on his individual case.” Added Dr. Girish Juneja
Dr. Girish pointed out that “weight management” based upon BMI (body mass index )calculated by dividing the weight in Kilograms over the height squared in meters in order to identify the patient’s category: overweight, first level obesity, second level (morbid) obesity, and finally the excessive (super) obesity. The main causes are then studied, taking into consideration that not all obesity cases are a result of today’s lifestyle; some are the result of genetic, hormonal and dietary factors.
Dr Girish clarified that the previous factors combined should represent the road map for the doctor, through which he can determine the treatment direction based on individual case requirements, either to go for a surgical procedure or prescribe a dietary treatment and some medicines. Dr Girish also stressed that “weight management” determines the surgery type required for the patient especially that the spectrum of weight loss operations is expanding, including Gastric bypass surgery, sleeve gastrectomy and gastric band. In all cases, the right procedure should be selected to give the best results. The more proper the procedure is, the greater body ability for reducing excess weight will become (from 50% to 80% based on the procedure). Also for overweight & not so obese people Gastric balloon (non-surgical) can be a good choice to kick start weight loss process.
Bariatric (weight loss) surgery involves multidisciplinary approach to the patient. It takes into consideration the other specialties including cardiac, endocrine, the digestive system, psychiatry, nutrition etc. to ensure highest accuracy level for the body to perform its functions during and the after the operation.
