Saudi Doctors Who Changed Lives Around the World: 8 Stories of Medical Heritage

Saudi medical pioneers, global humanitarian missions and the legacy of shared medical knowledge

Saudi Medical History: How Doctors Shared Expertise Beyond Borders

What have Saudi doctors contributed to global medicine? From the first heart operation in Mauritius to cataract missions in Nigeria to volunteer pediatric heart initiatives, an internationally known conjoined-twin separation programme and cancer research shared worldwide, Saudi physicians have helped expand access to care. This Avnzor feature explores eight doctors and the people, institutions and communities touched by their work. The profiles distinguish missions abroad, international treatment in Saudi Arabia and research collaboration: different paths to a shared legacy of medical knowledge.

1. Professor Hassan Raffa: The First Heart Surgery in Mauritius

Mauritius | Cardiac surgery

Professor Hassan Raffa, a visiting surgeon from Saudi Arabia, performed the first cardiac surgery in Mauritius in June 1984, according to the Mauritius Cardiac Centre. The early work was directed mostly at patients with rheumatic heart disease, chiefly valve repair or replacement with mechanical valves.

Lasting contribution

• Performed the first heart operation carried out in Mauritius (June 1984).
• His early work focused on rheumatic heart disease and valve surgery.
• Later operations by other visiting surgeons followed, including coronary artery bypass grafts.

Why this story matters: His story shows how a visiting surgeon can open the door to a new kind of medical service for an entire country.

2. Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah: Saudi Conjoined-Twin Surgery for the World

International patients treated in Saudi Arabia | Pediatric surgery

Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah helped develop Saudi Arabia's internationally recognised programme for evaluating and separating conjoined twins. Families from many countries have travelled to the Kingdom for exceptionally complex treatment.

Lasting contribution

• Led and supported multidisciplinary separation teams.
• Contributed to an internationally recognised centre of specialist surgical care.
• Shared the programme's experience with the global medical community.
• Extended his humanitarian leadership through KSrelief.

Why this story matters: His contribution shows that cross-border medical service sometimes means welcoming vulnerable patients to a centre of excellence.

3. Dr. Howaida Al-Qethamy: A Pioneering Woman in Pediatric Cardiac Surgery

Saudi Arabia | Pediatric cardiac surgery

Dr. Howaida Al-Qethamy is a pioneer among women in Saudi cardiac surgery. She has headed the Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Department at the Prince Sultan Cardiac Center for the Armed Forces in Riyadh since 2004, and previously worked at the Children's Hospital at the University of Toronto.

Lasting contribution

• Heads a specialist pediatric cardiac surgery department.
• Combined local and international experience in the field.
• Serves as a model of Saudi women's leadership in specialised medicine.

Why this story matters: Her career represents Saudi women's leadership in one of medicine's most demanding specialities, and shows how expertise gained internationally can benefit child patients at home.

4. Dr. Louai Abdulsamad: Little Hearts and Child Heart Care

Africa | Cardiac intensive care

Dr. Louai Abdulsamad, a cardiac intensive care consultant at King Faisal Specialist Hospital in Jeddah, helped establish the Little Hearts volunteer group in 2007 with a team of about 30 doctors, to treat children with congenital heart disease whose families could not afford surgery.

Lasting contribution

• The volunteer initiative began in 2007.
• Its missions reached countries including Egypt and Tanzania.
• It assembled multidisciplinary teams to serve children in underserved communities.

Why this story matters: The enduring impact belongs to a collaborative team: surgeons, intensive-care specialists, nurses, anaesthetists and local partners.

5. Dr. Saad Al-Enezi: Saudi Cataract Surgery Mission in Nigeria

Nigeria | Ophthalmology

Dr. Saad Al-Enezi joined a Saudi volunteer eye-surgery convoy to Katsina State, Nigeria, in June 2019. The team of six doctors specialised in eye diseases, particularly cataracts, an often-reversible cause of visual impairment.

Lasting contribution

• Took part in the second Saudi medical convoy to Nigeria in 2019.
• The team focused on cataract treatment.
• Combined medical training and practice with humanitarian service.

Why this story matters: A restored ability to see can also restore independence, income opportunities and participation in family life.

6. Dr. Saeed Al-Wadaani: Free Eye Surgery in Nigeria

Nigeria | Ophthalmology

Dr. Saeed Al-Wadaani, an assistant professor at King Saud University's College of Medicine, took part in a Saudi ophthalmology mission in Nigeria. The team raised its number of operations above the initial plan of about 400 as more patients came forward for care.

Lasting contribution

• Took part in an eye-surgery mission in 2018.
• The five-doctor team reported completing 515 free operations in about a week.
• The team worked in cooperation with the World Assembly of Muslim Youth.

Why this story matters: A short medical camp can produce a meaningful local impact when practitioners respond flexibly to patient needs.

7. Dr. Hani Najm: Saudi Innovation in Congenital Heart Surgery

Saudi Arabia and United States | Congenital cardiac surgery

Born in Riyadh, Dr. Hani Najm studied at King Saud University and worked for about 16 years at the National Guard Hospital in Riyadh before joining Cleveland Clinic in the United States, where he now chairs pediatric and congenital heart surgery.

Lasting contribution

• Helped advance pediatric cardiac surgery in Saudi Arabia.
• Performed highly complex congenital heart procedures.
• Leads a specialist department at one of the world's leading medical centres.

Why this story matters: His career illustrates how expertise developed in the Kingdom can travel through clinical practice and teaching.

8. Professor Khawla Al-Kuraya: Saudi Cancer Genomics Research

Saudi Arabia and international research networks | Cancer genomics

Professor Khawla Al-Kuraya is a Saudi physician-scientist who leads human cancer genomics research programmes at King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre. Her work examines the genetic characteristics of cancer and connects Saudi medical research with the international scientific community, as the hospital participates in the International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC).

Lasting contribution

• Advanced cancer genomics and molecular pathology research.
• Contributed to international scientific collaborations.
• Helped develop knowledge relevant to precision oncology.

Why this story matters: The exchange of scientific knowledge can influence patient care far beyond the laboratory or country where a discovery begins.

The Lasting Impact of Saudi Medical Pioneers

From conjoined-twin separation to eye-surgery missions in Nigeria, and from pediatric heart surgery to globally shared cancer research, these doctors demonstrate many forms of medical contribution. Their common thread is not that they performed identical work, but that they used medical skill to advance care beyond their immediate communities.

At Avnzor, we celebrate the people who have made healthcare a shared responsibility, one built on compassion, scientific knowledge, and the determination to improve lives for generations.

Frequently Asked Questions About Saudi Doctors and Global Medical Missions

Which Saudi doctors are known for international humanitarian surgery?

Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah is recognised for the Saudi Conjoined Twins Programme. Drs. Saad Al-Enezi and Saeed Al-Wadaani took part in eye-surgery missions in Nigeria, and Dr. Louai Abdulsamad helped found the Little Hearts initiative for children's heart care.

How has Saudi Arabia shared medical knowledge internationally?

Through humanitarian surgical missions, specialist training, treating overseas patients in Saudi hospitals and participation in international research collaborations. These approaches differ, but all can support the exchange of medical expertise.

What types of Saudi medical missions take place abroad?

Most prominently eye-surgery and cataract missions, and cardiac surgery and catheterisation missions for children and adults, often carried out with organisations such as KSrelief.