Al Jalila Foundation supports the treatment of two-year-old Thea with surgery to correct her hip joint

As part of its ongoing efforts to help children access the medical care they need, Al Jalila Foundation, through its Child Fund, covered the cost of hip surgery for two-year-old Lebanese national Thea Hassan Issa at Dubai Health’s Al Jalila Children’s Hospital. The surgery has helped her regain her ability to move normally.

Thea’s story began when her family noticed that she was having difficulty moving one of her legs. Her parents sought medical advice to understand what was causing the problem. Medical tests revealed an abnormality in her hip joint that required surgery to correct.

Seeking support for his daughter's treatment, Thea's father approached Al Jalila Foundation, which plays a vital role in enabling Dubai Health's vision to advance health for humanity through the integration of Care, Learning, Discovery, and Giving. The Foundation covered the cost of her surgery through the Child Fund, which aims to help children access medical care at Dubai Health facilities.

Al Jalila Foundation referred Thea to Al Jalila Children's Hospital, where she underwent successful surgery that improved her mobility and restored a smile to her face and reassurance to her family.

 The Surgical Intervention

Dr. Ibrar Majid, Chair of Pediatrics at Dubai Health, said Thea was born with a condition medically known as developmental dysplasia of the hip, a condition that affects the growth and stability of the joint and required surgical intervention to correct its position and return the head of the femur to its normal place.

He explained that the surgery was successful, with Thea receiving comprehensive multidisciplinary care that included pediatric orthopedics, physiotherapy, and occupational therapy. She also underwent a six-week rehabilitation program after the operation, with regular follow-up to monitor the stability of the joint and the progress of her recovery.

Dr. Ibrar noted that cases of developmental dysplasia of the hip detected within the first six months of a child's life can be treated with a harness or a special medical brace, while cases diagnosed at later ages may require surgical intervention, depending on their nature.

 Hope and Reassurance

Thea’s family expressed their gratitude for the successful surgery and extended their sincere thanks to Al Jalila Foundation for standing by their side and covering the cost of their daughter's treatment, as well as to the medical team at Al Jalila Children's Hospital for the care and attention provided throughout her journey.

They affirmed that this support gave them hope and reassurance and restored their joy as they watched their daughter regain the ability to move normally.