Committee

Dr. Basim AI-Khafaji

Chair of the Organization Committee

Consultant laparoscopic and Bariatric Surgeon
Canadian Specialist Hospital
Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Dr. Basim AI-Khafaji

Chair of the Organization Committee

Dr AI-Khafaji is a consultant laparoscopic and Bariatric Surgeon serving as the head of surgery department in the Canadian Specialist Hospital. He has more than 30 years experience in Surgical Practice. Has been chairing the organization committee of multiple Bariatric and Laparoscopic Surgical conferences in UAE since 2010. He also an instructor and organizer for many laparoscopic Surgical and Bariatric Workshops in UAE since 2004. He is a Board member Of Emirate Society Of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeons and the Vice President of Emirate Society Of laparoscopic and Endoscopic Surgeons Vice president of Asia Pacific Hernia Society – GCC Chapter.

Dr. Essa El Essa

MD , MSc, FAHPBA, FASMBS

Consultant Hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) and Abdominal Transplant Surgeon
Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi
United Arab Emirates

Dr. Essa El Essa

MD , MSc, FAHPBA, FASMBS

Dr El Eassa is an academic surgeon interested in Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) with a focus in Hepato-Pancreato- Biliary (HPB) diseases and Solid Organ Transplantation. Dr Al Eassa is a graduate of the United Arab Emirates University School of Medicine. He complete his residency in general surgery in University of Manitoba followed by his fellowship training at the Cleveland Clinic (Cleveland, OH, USA) in MIS, Metabolic and Bariatric, HPB, and Abdominal Transplant Surgery under the mentorship of world-renowned experts such as Drs. Philip R. Schauer, R. Matthew Walsh, Charles Miller, Bijan Eghtesad, and C.H. David Kwon. His research interest revolves around surgical outcomes and health services research. He strives to transfer the knowledge and skills he acquired from North America to the Middle East and North African region.

Dr. Hayder Makki

MB,Ch.B, CABS, (F.I.C.M), FACS

Consultant Surgical Oncology & Bariatric Surgery

Dr. Hayder Makki

MB,Ch.B, CABS, (F.I.C.M), FACS

Dr. Khalid is a double board certified general surgeon currently serving as a specialist in hepatobiliary & surgical oncology in Sheikh Shakbout Medical City (SSMC). He received his Medical Bachelor Degree of Medicine and Surgery from UAE university, subsequently underwent his surgical residency in Tawam hospital surgical training program . Dr.Khalid's field of interest are principally directed towards Hepato-biliary surgery and Abdominal Transplantation. He worked in Sheikh Khalifa Medical city since 2019 in HPB surgery and Renal transplantation Department prior to accepting his new position in SSMC .

Dr. Muhammad Badar uz Zaman

MBBS, FRCSI, MCh, MSC-HCM, FEBS-Transplantation

Consultant Hepatobiliary & Transplant Surgery
Sheikh Khalifa Medical City
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirate

Dr. Muhammad Badar uz Zaman

MBBS, FRCSI, MCh, MSC-HCM, FEBS-Transplantation

Dr Zaman is the Division Chief Transplant & HPB Surgery & the Director of Transplantation Service in Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC). He is also a member of SEHA Nephrology & Transplantation Council. He also serves as a core faculty in the General Surgery Residency program and as a Quality Champion for the NSQIP & TransQIP at SKMC. Dr Zaman graduated from Sindh Medical College in Pakistan in 1992 and completed his FRCSI in 1998. Subsequently obtained a diploma in laparoscopic surgery from Universite Louis Pasteur Strasbourg and a Master of Surgery in Transplantation from the University College Dublin. He is a Fellow of the European Board of Surgery in Transplantation since 2010.

Dr. Omar Bekdache

Member

MD, MSc,FRCS, FACS, EBSQ

Dr. Omar Bekdache

Member

Omar A. Bekdache, MD, MSc, FRCS, FACS, EBSQ is a Consultant General Surgeon at Tawam Hospital – former Johns Hopkins affiliate, currently in charge of Trauma & Acute Care Services and Chairman of the Trauma Committee with over 20 years experience in Surgery.

Dr Bekdache obtained his medical degree from the Lebanese University School of Medicine and residency training in General Surgery at the American University of Beirut Medical Center and Makassed General Hospital. Dr Bekdache pursued a clinical fellowship in Minimal Invasive Surgery and a University Diploma in Hepatobiliary Surgery from the Universities of Lille & Paris–France and obtained the European Board of Surgical Oncology.

Dr Bekdache completed a Clinical fellowship in Trauma & Acute Care Surgery from the University of McGill – Canada. He holds the Fellowship of the American College of Surgeons 'FACS', the Fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons of Glasgow 'FRCS’ in addition to a Masters Degree of Science & Experimental Surgery from McGill University - Canada.

Dr. Yalda Ziaei

Member

MBBCh, Certified General Surgeon (Arab Board), MRCS (England), Certificate Surgical Gastroenterology (SA)
Sharjah, Al Qasimi hospital

Dr. Yalda Ziaei

Member

Dr. Yalda Ziaei is a consultant general, gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary surgeon at NMC Royal Sharjah hospital. Dr. Ziaei obtained her undergraduate medical degree from Dubai medical college in 2011, then underwent her surgical residency in Tawam hospital surgical training program. She worked in Mafraq hospital as specialist general surgeon for two years before obtaining fellowship of the college of surgeon of South Africa. Dr. Ziaei was appointed as consultant in acute care unit in Groote Schuur Hospital and did a three year fellowship in HPB/GI surgery and was awarded a subspeciality certificate in Surgical Gastroenterology of South Africa in October 2022.

Dr. Rehan Saif

Member

Director & Clinical Lead – HPB Surgery & Transplantation
Burjeel Medical City, Abu Dhabi
United Arab Emirates

Dr. Rehan Saif

Member

Dr Rehan Saif is the Director and Clinical Lead of the HPB & Transplant Surgery Division (Liver/Pancreas/Kidney) at Burjeel Medical City, Abu Dhabi. He is a UK and European board certified HPB & Abdominal Multi-Organ Transplant Surgeon having completed his CCT (UK), FEBS (European Board of Surgery) & European Diploma in Transplantation. He has a special interest in MIS (both laparoscopic & robotic) HPB Surgery having completed further fellowships from UIC, Chicago (Robotic fellowship) and Kaohsiung, Taiwan (Transplantation fellowship) gaining further experience in Complex Liver Surgery & Transplantation.

In his previous appointment, Dr Rehan was an integral part of a large multi-centre HPB and Multi-Organ Transplant Program (live & deceased donor, adult & paediatric) that completed close to 400 liver transplants, 50 pancreas transplants and 300 kidney transplants including multi-organ transplants (liver+kidney, pancreas+kidney) in addition to numerous complex HPB resections (open, laparoscopic & robotic). His experience in HPB & Transplantation spans over 18 years. His areas of expertise include management of hepatocellular carcinoma, complex gallbladder & biliary cancers, benign and malignant pancreatic disease, surgery for portal hypertension and transplantation (liver, pancreas, kidney). He has undergone comprehensive training in all aspects of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary disease and Transplantation. A fellow of The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, Dr Rehan also has an active research interest with a research degree from Newcastle University, UK and has published over 40 scientific articles in leading peer reviewed international journals.

Dr. Nooreen Al Balushi

Head of Scientific Committee

Consultant HPB & Liver Transplant Surgeon
The Royal Hospital
President of Oman Transplantation Society

Dr. Nooreen Al Balushi

Head of Scientific Committee

I am an enthusiastic and dedicated surgeon who readily accepts new challenges with an ability to acquire new skills. I have an honest, optimistic and patient personality that allows me to thrive in both individual and group projects and activities. I set myself high standards and have the drive to succeed in this demanding specialty. Did my Canadian & American fellowship in McGill University & University of British Columbia in Canada, joined the hepatobiliary & liver transplant team in Royal Hospital in Muscat in 2021 after which was part of the scientific committee of national liver transplant unit in ministry of health & the president of Oman transplantation society in 2023.

Prof. Mohammad Abu Hilal

MD PhD DocEur FRCS FACS ESBQ (HPB)

Chair of the Department of Surgery and the Head of Hepatobilary - Pancreatic and Minimally invasive Surgery
Poliambulanza Hospital
Brescia, Italy

Prof. Mohammad Abu Hilal

MD PhD DocEur FRCS FACS ESBQ (HPB)

Professor Mohammad Abu Hilal is the Director of the Surgical Department at the Fondazione Poliambulanza Hospital Institute in Brescia. He is also a Professor of Hepato-biliary-pancreatic Surgery and Minimally Invasive Surgery at the University of Southampton.

He has a particular interest in minimally invasive or laparoscopic surgery and is considered one of the world’s experts in Minimally Invasive Surgery.

Prof Abu Hilal has conducted numerous studies in this field and in the last 17 years has accumulated a vast experience at the international level. He has played an active role in the publication of many scientific articles and in the elaboration and description of many innovative surgical techniques. In addition, Prof has participated in the specialized training of more than 450 surgeons worldwide. 

Dr. Hamad Al Bahili

MD, PhD

Consultant Hepatobiliary & Transplant Surgery
Director of Multi-Organ Transplant Center at Prince Sultan Military Medical City
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Dr. Hamad Al Bahili

MD, PhD

Dr Hamad Albahili is the Director of Multi-Organ Transplant Center at Prince Sultan Military Medical City, Riyadh Saudi Arabia with over 25 years of Surgical experience. He attended King Saud University (1997) and finished his residency training in General Surgery at King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre, Riyadh (2004, this was followed by a fellowship training at Multi Organ Transplantation &Hepatobiliary Surgery at the Toronto General Hospital in Toronto, Canada (2010). Albahili clinical interests include adult and pediatric liver transplants, innovative approaches in donor surgery (liver & kidney) in addition to Liver, kidney and pancreases recipient transplants, and hepatobiliary oncology surgeries. Over the years, Dr Albahili has become known for his impressive ability to resurrect and establish transplant centers. His skillful performance in the operating room was recognized, and he has trained and shouldered many young transplant fellows to become outstanding independent surgeons. His research and academic work focus on organ preservation and clinical outcomes. He is an active member of many associations nationally and internationally as well as the American Society of Transplantation, a founding member of the MENA chapter of the IHPBA. In September 2018, Dr Al Bahili received the award of King Fahad Leopold in medical achievement.

Dr. Hani Al Saati

MD,MRCSI, AFRCSI, CABS

Consultant General Surgeon, MIS, Surgical Oncology and HPB Surgeon at
King Hamad University Hospital, Bahrain Oncology Centre
Royal Medical Services.

Dr. Hani Al Saati

MD,MRCSI, AFRCSI, CABS

Dr. Alsaati is currently the Head of Surgical Oncology Unit at The King Hamad University Hospital, and Royal Medical Services and he is a Clinical Lead and Head of HPB and Surgical oncology at Bahrain Oncology Centre (Kingdim of Bahrain).

He is a senior lecturer at The Royal College of Surgeons- Medical University Of Bahrain (RCSI-MUB).

Dr. Alsaati underwent fellowships of MIS, General Surgical Oncology training at University of Toronto (Canada) and Laparoscopic HPB surgery at Southampton University Hospital NHS Trust (UK) where he obtained a vast experience in Medical and Surgical managment of Oncology patients and Minimal invasive Upper GIT and Hepatobiliary Surgery.

He was working at Salmanyia Medical Complex, MOH, kingdom of Bahrain where he was the former Director of the Theater, Day case surgical unit and endoscopy unit till November 2022 before being appointed as a member of Parliament in The Shura council (Kingdom Of Bahrain 🇧🇭).

He is also a well trained and expert in Upper GIT and Bariatric surgery Where Run Bariatric and General Surgery services at Bahrain Specialist hospitals and Alsalam Specialist hispital in the private sector in Bahrain.

Since 2016 he was Cross appointed to King Hamad Univesoty Hospital - Bahrain Oncology Center (KHUH - BOC) to run the Surgical oncology program as a part of collaborations between MOH and KHUH.

Dr. Alsaati has several publications and special interests in MIS HPB Surgery. He is one of the expert panel member at EGUMIPS 2022 and The coming IEGUMILS in Apiril 2024.

Dr. Aydah Al Awadi

Consultant Oncologist
Sheikh Shakhbout medical City
(SSMC) , Abu Dhabi

Dr. Aydah Al Awadi

Aydah AlAwadhi, consultant medical Oncologist, from UAE. Scientific chairperson of Emirates Oncology Society. Completed Hematology and Oncology fellowship from the MD Anderson Cancer center with American Board of Internal medicine, Hematology and Medical Oncology. Chairperson of Breast cancer working group EOS.

Dr. Amal Suhool

MD, MBBCh, DES, DESC, MSc

Consultant in Hepatopancreatobiliary Endocrine Surgery Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC) in Abu Dhabi.

Dr. Amal Suhool

MD, MBBCh, DES, DESC, MSc

Dr. Amal Suhool, MD, MBBCh, DES, DESC, MSc is a Consultant in Hepatopancreaticobiliary and Endocrine Surgery at Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC) in Abu Dhabi.

A graduate of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland . Double board certified in General Surgery & Gastrointestinal Surgery at the University of Sorbonne, Paris. Subsequently trained in Endocrine and Hepatobiliary Surgery in France and Advanced Minimally Invasive Hepatopancreaticobiliary Surgery in the UK. Currently serving as a Consultant in Hepatopancreaticobiliary and Endocrine Surgery at Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC) , Mayo Clinic in Abu Dhabi and the head of the Hepatopancreaticobiliary unit. Dr Suhool is focusing on minimally invasive hepatopancreaticobiliary surgery in the United Arab Emirates. In addition to that she has multiple academic roles where she serves as an adjunct faculty in Khalifa University Medical school and as the Surgical co-ordinator of internship in her institute.

Dr Suhool is a published author and in addition to that she is member of multiple scientific societies including the International Laparoscopic Liver Society (ILLS), E-AHPBA and the International Association of Surgeons, Gastroenterologists and Oncologists (IASGO) and the Association de Chirurgie Hépato-Bilio-Pancréatique et Transplantation Hépatique (ACHBT).