According to the Emirates News Agency, the programme at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City forms part of efforts to address spasticity, which causes abnormal muscle tone and is commonly linked to cerebral palsy. The initiative assembles experts from multiple fields to create individualized treatment plans for young patients. This approach is expected to reduce the need for families to seek care abroad.
The team comprises paediatric neurologists, neurosurgeons, orthopaedic surgeons, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists and rehabilitation specialists working in concert. Joint evaluations allow for more effective diagnosis and therapy coordination than siloed approaches. Such integration represents a key step in advancing local paediatric neurology services.
Among the services offered are botulinum toxin injections, intrathecal baclofen therapy, selective dorsal rhizotomy, orthopaedic interventions and advanced rehabilitation including robotic assistance and 3D gait analysis. These modalities target both the symptoms and underlying causes to improve function and comfort. The full spectrum of options ensures patients receive the most appropriate intervention at each stage of their care.
A systematic review of studies across Arabic-speaking countries determined that cerebral palsy occurs at a rate of 1.8 per 1,000 live births, with spastic type comprising about 60 percent of cases. Research at a Dubai specialist hospital placed the point prevalence among admissions at 2.8 per 1,000, indicating a substantial patient base for such programmes. These figures highlight the importance of developing dedicated treatment pathways in the region.
Sheikh Khalifa Medical City has also forged a partnership with Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center to bolster its paediatric offerings across several specialties. The collaboration facilitates knowledge transfer and adoption of global best practices in complex care areas. This aligns with the spasticity programme by enhancing overall expertise in child health services.
The launch underscores SEHA’s commitment to building centers of excellence within Abu Dhabi’s healthcare network. By combining medical, surgical and rehabilitative elements under one roof, the programme seeks to optimize outcomes for children and support their families. Ongoing monitoring will assess its impact on patient mobility and quality of life metrics.
