Dubai doctor’s successful surgery saves life of 11-year-old Filipino girl

In a groundbreaking medical achievement, Jessica Cruz, an 11-year-old girl travelled from the Philippines to undergo a life changing Scoliosis correction surgery at the Adam Vital Hospital in Dubai.

The complex procedure was successfully performed by renowned Spinal Deformity expert Prof. Dr. Hany Abdel Gawwad, who corrected Jessica’s severe spinal curvature and, against the odds, avoided the paralysis doctors had long warned her family to expect.

Jessica was born with a spinal deformity and later diagnosed with congenital neuromuscular scoliosis—a progressive condition that over time severely compromised her mobility and lung function. Compounded by chronic asthma, Jessica’s health was rapidly deteriorating. Despite consulting multiple specialists in the Philippines, the family was repeatedly met with uncertainty. One recommendation involved a high-risk 10 to 12-hour surgery using magnetic rods, with no guarantee of success and a very real threat of permanent paralysis. Refusing to give up, Jessica’s parents expanded their search globally—and found renewed hope at Adam Vital Hospital, one of the region’s leading institutions for Advanced Orthopaedics & Spine care.

Despite the significant risks, including restricted lung capacity and the looming danger of paralysis, Jessica underwent a successful surgery by Prof. Dr. Hany. Jessica regained full mobility and began walking shortly after surgery.

“Jessica’s surgery was truly a race against time as her case was one of the most complex he had encountered due to the combination of several risks,” said Prof. Dr. Hany Abdel Gawwad. “Her spinal curvature was severely compressing her lungs to a dangerous degree. Additionally, her spinal cord was exposed along its entire length due to previous surgeries, and hydatid cysts had developed on the spinal cord, extending from the cervical vertebrae to the sacrum.”

He added, “Jessica's severe weight loss further complicated the surgery, and conventional methods posed enormous risks. However, through customized surgical planning and the utilization of advanced 3D simulation techniques, and intensive coordination with the anesthesia team and the intensive care unit, we were able to correct her deformity safely and successfully. Seeing her walk again—without paralysis—is the greatest reward.”

Jessica’s story is more than just a medical success—it’s a powerful reminder of what’s possible with the right care and determination. What once seemed like an impossible situation turned into a life-changing breakthrough. Thanks to the world class care and unmatchable expertise at Adam Vital Hospital, Jessica now has a second chance at life—a chance to grow up, walk freely, and breathe easier.

Jessica’s transformational surgery was one amongst 9 other complex Scoliosis cases, that were successfully operated within three days at Adam Vital Hospital by Spinal Deformities expert Prof. Dr. Hany Abdel Gawwad on patients from the UAE, Egypt, Bahrain, Syria, Jordan, and Palestine. This extraordinary achievement is the testament for the par excellence Scoliosis Program at Adam Vital Hospital and its unwavering commitment to treating the most complex cases in patients from across the world.