Emirati patient grateful for support after 20 years of treatment in Germany for spinal condition

A 32-year-old Emirati woman named Nouf Al Naqbi has undergone 20 years of advanced medical treatment in Germany for a severe spinal condition called scoliosis. The condition causes the spine to curve, and Al Naqbi developed it as a child. She has traveled regularly from the UAE to Germany to receive complex medical procedures aimed at improving her mobility.

Al Naqbi is one of 117 Emirati patients receiving critical care in Germany, highlighting the strength of the bilateral ties between the two countries. Their care in Germany is funded by several UAE government bodies, including Abu Dhabi's Department of Health. Despite her gratitude for the support she has received, Al Naqbi says she is exhausted and no longer wishes to undergo any more surgeries.

Her father, Ali Al Naqbi, expressed deep appreciation to President Sheikh Mohamed and the UAE government for their continuous support throughout his daughter's treatment. He urged his daughter to stay strong and continue the journey towards a better quality of life. Born without any apparent medical issues, Al Naqbi was diagnosed with early-onset scoliosis at the age of eight.

She received her first treatment in Germany when she was about 11 years old, undergoing a thoracolumbar fusion surgery at the University Hospital of Cologne in 2006. The operation involved fixing a part of her spine using screws and hooks. However, the curvature worsened again as she grew older, leading to multiple additional surgeries on her legs and a lifetime of physiotherapy.

Despite the challenges, Al Naqbi remains in pain and limps due to nerve tightness and sensitivity. She underwent another major spinal operation in June of this year, marking the latest chapter in her extensive medical journey that has shaped her childhood and adult life. Al Naqbi hopes for a life free of hospitals, surgeries, and constant physiotherapy.