|
A Canadian Orthopaedic Oasis in the Arabian Desert |
|
|
|
|
A Canadian Orthopaedic Oasis in the Arabian Desert
R. Merv Letts, M.D., FRCSC
Abu Dhabi
United Arab Emirates
Halfway around the world from Canada is a group of Canadian orthopaedic surgeons delivering high quality health care to the citizens of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The UAE is a very young country, a federation of seven sheikdoms known prior to 1971 as the Trucial States: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Fujairah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Sharjah (Figure 1). The capital is the very modern city of Abu Dhabi often referred to as ‘the Manhattan of the Middle East’ (Figure 2) in which the Shaikh Khalifa Medical Centre (SKMC) is located. A modern 300-bed hospital built four years ago under the auspices of Inter Health Canada and staffed largely by Canadian professionals (Figure 3).
The Division of Orthopaedic Surgery at SKMC is headed by Dr. Chris Whately, a graduate of the McMaster University orthopaedic training programme. Chris joined the hospital shortly after it opened and has built up the division to its current six member team including: Drs. David M. Wickham, University of British Columbia, an upper extremity specialist; Desmond Kwok, McGill University/McMaster University, a spine and pelvic trauma specialist; Douglas MacMichael, Dalhousie University/University of Toronto, a foot and reconstructive joint specialist; Barry McKillop, a knee and sports medicine specialist trained at University of Western Ontario and Merv Letts, University of Manitoba/Ottawa, a paediatric orthopaedic specialist (Figure 4).
The group sees 8000-9000 out-patients per year and performs over 5000 surgeries annually. Trauma is a major orthopaedic industry in the UAE due to the many high-end fast cars, infrequent use of seatbelts and super highways. The small gene pool also contributes to a high incidence of congenital malformations. The practice of swaddling (Figure 5) infants predisposes to a higher prevalence of developmental dislocation of the hip in infancy. With 26% of the Emerati population being under 15, the volume of paediatric orthopaedics is significant.
Orthopaedics is one of the busiest and most needed specialties in the UAE - as well as the most appreciated and respected. Under Dr. Chris Whately’s direction, the correction of major musculoskeletal deformities using the Taylor Spatial frame has been a major advance for orthopaedic surgery in the UAE (Figure 6). Although SKMC is not a ’university‘ hospital, many of the medical staff have appointments at Al Ain University which has a modern medical school and rotates interns through the various departments. The orthopaedic division is very active in continuing education in the UAE and adjacent Gulf countries. In the past year, members have participated in CME events in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Turkey as well as sponsoring a trauma symposium and an Inter-Emirates Orthopaedic Association meeting in Abu Dhabi. Orthopaedic grand rounds are held weekly and a journal club is organized on a monthly basis at the homes of orthopaedic staff. Four house officers assigned to the division function in a resident/fellow capacity. Clinical research is carried out by all of the staff orthopaedic surgeons. The Orthopaedic Unit at SKMC functions on the same basis as an Orthopaedic Division at any teaching hospital in Canada.
Although at the present time much of the Middle East is in turmoil, the UAE is a thriving oasis of peace, progress and phenomenal development. The crime rate is lower than in virtually any Canadian city and there is an almost unbelievable rate of growth, both economically and structurally. The UAE is currently building what is planned to be the tallest skyscraper in the world and the largest shopping centre in the Middle East.
Should you ever find yourself close to the Arabian Gulf in your travels, call in to visit this Canadian orthopaedic oasis in the UAE!
(National Geographic July 1956 features article giving an historical perspective)
|
|
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 21 March 2007 )
|
Member Services 
