Dr Raja Al Gurg, Chairperson & Managing Director of ESAG, Member of the Dubai Health Board of Directors and Chairperson of the Al Jalila Foundation Board of Directors, welcomed renowned heart surgeon Professor Sir Magdi Yacoub during his visit to the Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences and Al Jalila Foundation.

The 90-year-old Egyptian-British cardiothoracic surgeon is celebrated for pioneering innovations in cardiac surgery, including establishing the UK’s first heart transplant centre at Harefield Hospital and performing the country’s first combined heart and lung transplant. He has received numerous international honours, including a knighthood and the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation Lifetime Achievement Award.

During his visit, Professor Yacoub toured Dubai Health’s research centres and learned about programmes and projects within the integrated academic health system. Senior Dubai Health leaders, including Professor Alawi Alsheikh-Ali, Issam Galadari and Dr Amer Sharif, attended the visit.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Raja Al Gurg said, “We are honoured to welcome Professor Sir Magdi Yacoub, a world-renowned heart surgeon and distinguished humanitarian. His visit strengthens Dubai Health’s role in the medical and academic fields and reaffirms our mission to advance health for humanity. It also highlights our commitment to fostering partnerships that drive innovation and elevate quality of life, in line with the vision of our leadership, which places people at the heart of development and growth.”