Born in Dubai in 1942, Dr Sayed Jaafar Mohamed had received his pre-university education in the emirate, ultimately obtaining the High School Certificate in 1963. He them headed for Egypt where he studied medicine. In 1970 he obtained his MBBS. Two years later, he had completed the internship year and a diploma.

 

Upon returning home in 1972, Dr. Sayed started his career at the Al-Maktoum Hospital's General Surgery Department. When Rashid Hospital was opened he moved there to establish a new surgery department in conjunction with other colleagues.

In 1977 he was the first UAE doctor to gain specialization in general surgery from the Royal College of Surgeons in Edinburgh, Britain.

Work at the Al-Maktoum Hospital was very hard indeed. Surgical tools were hardly adequate; nor were medical equipment and facilities any better.

Nevertheless, achievements were remarkable considering such difficult conditions.

With limited human resources the department used to conduct operations totaling twenty hours a day.

 

Armed with patience and determination, and acting as a team, the department's staff were able to meet all such challenges.

In 1979, Dr. Sayed became even more specialized earning a degree in urosurgery, thus becoming the first UAE doctor to specialize in this vital field. The majority of patients suffering from urological disorders were not completely aware of the nature of their ailments. Moreover, medical treatment abroad was costly. The  establishment of a urosurgery department within the context of the Health and Medical Services Department was a significant addition, thanks to Dr. Sayed, who also introduced the first device for the fragmentation and removal of prostate stones by means of endoscope.

 

 

Side by side with his medical endeavors, Dr. Sayed has significantly contributed to medical management, In 1982, he was appointed Director of the modern Dubai Hospital, and continued to run it efficiently for twenty years He has also established vital departments such as the Gynecology and Obstetrics Department, the Special Care Baby Unit, the Cardiac Diseases and Cardiac urgery Department, and the Oncology Department. The latter has greatly improved cancer care.

Meanwhile, Dr. Sayed has, in collaboration with officials of the Health and Medical Services Department, set forth the Department's current laws and regulations. He has also contributed to the establishment of the Emirates Medical Association. Furthermore, he is a member of the teaching staff of the Dubai Medical College for Girls, and a member of several local, Arab and international organizations. He has several scientific contributions and published articles, and has attended numerous specialized conferences and symposiums.

For all these considerations, Dr. Sayed Jaafar Mohamed deserves the Hamdan Award for honouring individuals working in the field of medicine and health.