Faculty

Dr. Abdelhakim Elganyni is a Consultant Gastroenterologist and Head of the Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Unit at Emirates Specialty Hospital, Dubai Healthcare City. He has extensive clinical experience in gastroenterology, with a particular focus on Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Dr. Elganyni completed his gastroenterology training in Egypt and further subspecialized in IBD in the United Kingdom. His expertise includes advanced endoscopy and modern biologic and small-molecule therapies for complex IBD.

Dr. Abhilash Haridas is a Specialist Gastroenterologist at Ahalia Hospital, Mussafah, Abu Dhabi. He holds qualifications including MBBS, MD, DM, ESEGH (UK) and MRCP (UK), and has approximately 10 years of clinical experience. His expertise includes general gastroenterology, hepatology, liver transplantation, advanced endoscopy, ERCP, EUS and inflammatory bowel disease. He actively contributes to clinical education and multidisciplinary management of complex gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary conditions.

Dr. Abdulla Alnakshabandi is a gastroenterology specialist involved in the diagnosis and management of gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary disorders. His clinical activities include specialist digestive healthcare and multidisciplinary patient management. He contributes to continuing medical education and professional scientific programmes. As a chairperson at Gastro Abu Dhabi, he supports academic discussion and facilitates knowledge exchange between local specialists and international experts in gastroenterology, hepatology and endoscopy.

Dr. Abid Zargar is a medical specialist with professional interests in gastrointestinal and digestive disease care. His clinical work encompasses the diagnosis and management of gastrointestinal conditions and multidisciplinary patient care. He participates in professional medical education and scientific meetings and contributes to knowledge exchange among specialists. As a chairperson at Gastro Abu Dhabi, he supports discussion of contemporary approaches to gastrointestinal disease and facilitates interaction between local and international experts.

Dr. Anand Vadivel is a Specialist Gastroenterologist with more than 11 years of experience in Gastroenterology and Hepatology. Based at NMC Royal Hospital, Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi, his expertise includes interventional endoscopy, colonoscopy, ERCP, EUS, pancreaticobiliary disorders, functional GI diseases and liver disease. He has performed thousands of gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures and has experience supporting patients through complex hepatobiliary and liver-transplant pathways.

Dr. Ali Choukair is a Specialist Gastroenterologist with more than two decades of clinical experience. His expertise encompasses gastrointestinal and liver diseases, motility disorders, GERD, IBD and colorectal cancer screening. He is experienced in gastroscopy, colonoscopy, capsule endoscopy and gastrointestinal physiological investigations. Based in Dubai, Dr. Choukair contributes to specialist digestive healthcare and professional education, with a particular focus on comprehensive, patient-centred gastroenterology.

Dr. Atul Chawla is a Specialist Gastroenterologist based in Abu Dhabi. His clinical practice focuses on the diagnosis and management of gastrointestinal and digestive disorders, supported by expertise in diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy. He contributes to multidisciplinary patient care and continuing medical education in the UAE. His participation in Gastro Abu Dhabi reflects his commitment to professional collaboration, evidence-based gastroenterology and knowledge exchange among regional and international specialists.

Dr. Ayyappan G Pillai is a Specialist Gastroenterologist with extensive experience in Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Internal Medicine. Based in Abu Dhabi, he has expertise in diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy, hepatobiliary disorders and advanced gastrointestinal procedures. His clinical interests include liver disease, inflammatory bowel disease and complex digestive disorders. He is actively involved in clinical education and professional gastroenterology programmes in the UAE.

Dr. Aydamir Alrakawi, MD, is a Staff Physician in Gastroenterology and Hepatology at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s Digestive Disease Institute and serves in a leadership role within the Endoscopy programme. His clinical interests include advanced diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy, gastrointestinal disorders and hepatology. He is actively involved in complex endoscopic care, multidisciplinary management and professional medical education, contributing to the advancement of digestive healthcare in the UAE.

Dr. Azzam Kayyaseh is a Consultant Gastroenterologist with experience in specialist digestive healthcare in the UAE. His clinical interests include gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary disorders, endoscopic evaluation and multidisciplinary management of complex digestive conditions. He has participated in professional gastroenterology programmes and scientific meetings and contributes to continuing medical education. As a chairperson at Gastro Abu Dhabi, he supports academic exchange between local and international faculty.

Dr. Abed AlLehibi is a leading gastroenterologist and advanced therapeutic endoscopist based at King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh. He serves as Chairman of the Gastroenterology & Hepatology Department and Endoscopy Director, with expertise in advanced endoscopy and therapeutic GI procedures.

Dr. Abdulaziz Al Nuaimi is a Gastroenterologist and Acting Head of the Gastroenterology Department at Sheikh Tahnoon Bin Mohammed Medical City and Tawam Hospital in Al Ain. He has gained clinical experience across several leading healthcare institutions in the UAE, including Tawam Hospital, Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City and Mafraq Hospital. He completed his Gastroenterology Residency Board through the Arab Board of Gastroenterology and has professional interests spanning clinical medicine, healthcare management and medical education.

Dr. Ahmed Almradi is a consultant gastroenterologist with specialized training in the management of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). He has extensive experience treating both complex and non-complex cases of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. In addition to IBD care, he also manages a wide range of general gastrointestinal conditions. His practice focuses on evidence-based, patient-centered care aimed at achieving long-term remission and improving overall digestive health.

Dr.Almradi is dual board certification in internal medicine and gastroenterology from Royal college of Canada, College of medicine South Africa and further advanced training in inflammatory bowel disease at Western University and University hospital London, Canada.

Dr. Ahmed Sultan is a Consultant Gastroenterologist and Head of the Gastroenterology Department at Mediclinic Airport Road Hospital, Abu Dhabi. His clinical expertise encompasses liver and digestive disorders as well as general and advanced diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy, including third-space endoscopic procedures. Dr. Sultan completed his medical education and residency at Mansoura University, Egypt, and was involved in research on inflammatory bowel disease. He also has academic experience and serves as adjunct faculty at Khalifa University.

Dr. Ammar Kheir is a Staff Physician in the Gastroenterology Department at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s Digestive Disease Institute. Previously, he worked as a Consultant Gastroenterologist and Therapeutic Colonoscopist in Australia and served as a Senior Lecturer at the University of Queensland. His areas of expertise include image-enhanced endoscopy, high-quality colonoscopy, colorectal cancer screening, inflammatory bowel disease, colonic polyposis and advanced endoscopic resection techniques. He also has special interests in Barrett’s esophagus and early gastric cancer detection.

Dr. Amer Al Khatib is a gastroenterology specialist with experience in the management of gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary disorders. His clinical interests include digestive disease management, hepatology and endoscopic care. He has participated in professional gastroenterology programmes and scientific meetings in the region. Through his role as a chairperson at Gastro Abu Dhabi, he contributes to multidisciplinary discussion, professional education and the exchange of clinical experience among regional and international specialists.

Dr. Emad Fayyad is a Board-Certified Consultant Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist with extensive experience in digestive and liver diseases. His clinical interests include general gastroenterology, hepatology and diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy. He has contributed to professional education programmes and scientific meetings in the region, sharing clinical experience in the management of complex gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary disorders. He continues to support multidisciplinary and evidence-based digestive healthcare.

Dr. Eyad Alakrad is a Consultant Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist with more than two decades of experience and specialist training in the UK and USA. He has particular expertise in gastrointestinal motility disorders, including esophageal and anorectal manometry and pH-impedance studies. His clinical practice also encompasses general and diagnostic endoscopy. He has contributed extensively to specialist gastroenterology education and the development of advanced digestive disease services in the UAE.

Dr. Gaurav Muktesh is an experienced Gastroenterologist and Advanced Endoscopist based in Dubai. He has expertise in EUS, ERCP, POEM, colonoscopy, capsule endoscopy and endoscopic weight-management procedures. With extensive procedural experience, he has developed particular expertise in advanced therapeutic endoscopy. Dr. Muktesh is also involved in academic teaching, research and professional education and regularly participates in national and international gastroenterology programmes.

Dr. Jamil Mahmoud El Chayeb is a medical specialist associated with NMC Royal Hospital, Mohammed Bin Zayed City, Abu Dhabi. He contributes to specialist healthcare and multidisciplinary clinical practice in the UAE. His professional involvement includes clinical care and continuing medical education. As a chairperson at Gastro Abu Dhabi, he supports scientific exchange and discussion among regional and international specialists, contributing to the conference’s multidisciplinary approach to digestive healthcare.

Dr. Filippos Georgopoulos is a graduate of University of Crete in Greece since 1990. He completed his Gastroenterology training in 2000 in Athens and he subsequently subspecialized in Interventional and advanced Therapeutic Endoscopy (ERCP) at Glasgow Royal Infirmary in United Kingdom where he also worked as a Consultant up to mid-2003. He became a Fellow of the European Board of Gastroenterology and Hepatology (FEBGH) in 2008. Prior to joining Al Zahra Hospital Dr. Georgopoulos worked as a Consultant Gastroenterologist in a tertiary Hospital in Athens, Greece which was a regional IBD center. He has a special interest in IBD, GI motility as well as therapeutic endoscopy.

Dr. Ibrahim Al Hosani is a Consultant Gastroenterologist with over 22 years of extensive experience in Gastroenterology and Hepatology. He earned his Medical Degree in Medicine and Surgery from the University of Damascus, Syria, in 2003. Dr. Ibrahim also received his German Board (Facharzt) in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology in 2014, as well as a Diploma in Evolving Hepatitis C Management from the University of Pennsylvania, USA. Dr. Ibrahim specializes in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), Celiac Disease, Liver Disease, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Gastroparesis, Motility Disorders, Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency, SIBO, Lactose Intolerance, Bile Acid Malabsorption, GERD, and H. pylori treatment.

Dr. Mounier Alwaw is a gastroenterology specialist involved in the diagnosis and management of gastrointestinal and digestive disorders. His professional activities include specialist clinical care, multidisciplinary collaboration and participation in medical education. Through his role as a chairperson at Gastro Abu Dhabi, he contributes to scientific discussion and knowledge exchange among gastroenterologists, hepatologists and endoscopy specialists. His participation supports the conference’s focus on contemporary evidence-based digestive healthcare.

Dr. Makki Fayadh is a Consultant Gastroenterologist with extensive experience in gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary medicine. His clinical interests include inflammatory bowel disease, diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy and complex gastrointestinal disorders. He has participated in numerous regional and international gastroenterology meetings as a speaker, moderator and chairperson. His involvement in professional education reflects his commitment to advancing evidence-based gastroenterology practice and multidisciplinary digestive healthcare.

Dr. Jenan Ghaith is a Staff Physician in Gastroenterology at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s Digestive Disease Institute. She is a board-certified gastroenterologist with advanced training in interventional and therapeutic endoscopy. Dr. Ghaith completed Gastroenterology and Hepatology fellowship training at the University of Toronto and subsequently pursued advanced endoscopy training at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. Her clinical interests include pancreaticobiliary disorders, interventional EUS, colorectal cancer screening, reflux disease and advanced endoscopic therapies.

Dr. Linette Achecar Justo is a Gastroenterologist at NMC Royal Hospital in Abu Dhabi, with more than 16 years of experience in gastroenterology, hepatology and endoscopy. She completed her medical training in the Dominican Republic, followed by specialist gastroenterology training in Spain and a PhD focused on liver disease from the University of Alcalá de Henares. Her areas of interest include liver and pancreatic diseases, bowel disorders, reflux disease, advanced endoscopy, motility disorders and intragastric balloon procedures.

Dr. Mohammed Aldashan is an experienced Gastroenterologist with specialist expertise in advanced endoscopy, hepatology and inflammatory bowel disease. His clinical interests include gastrointestinal malignancies, EUS-guided procedures, GI cancer staging, liver disease and endoscopic management of obesity. He has undertaken specialist training internationally and has participated in regional and international scientific meetings. His practice combines advanced procedural expertise with comprehensive management of complex digestive disorders.

Dr. Mohammad Badre Alam, MD, is a Staff Physician within the Gastroenterology Department of Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s Digestive Disease Institute.

Prior to joining Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Dr. Alam was a Consultant Gastroenterologist at Burjeel Hospital and Mafraq Hospital, both in Abu Dhabi.

Dr. Alam received his medical degree from Kolkata University, India. He completed his Internal Medicine residency at Liverpool Hospital, New South Wales, Australia. He also completed his Gastroenterology and Hepatology fellowship at Westmead Hospital, New South Wales, Australia.

Dr. Mazen Taha is a Senior Consultant in Gastroenterology and Hepatology and Chief of Gastroenterology at Tawam Hospital, Al Ain. He also serves as Chairman of Internal Medicine and Clinical Associate Professor at UAE University. Dr. Taha has held senior clinical and academic responsibilities within the UAE and has contributed to the advancement of gastroenterology and hepatology services. His leadership combines clinical expertise, medical education and departmental development within one of the UAE’s major tertiary healthcare institutions.

Dr. Mahesh Rama Varma is Head of Gastroenterology at NMC Royal Hospital DIP, Dubai. He is an experienced Gastroenterologist, Interventional Gastroenterologist and Endoscopic Ultrasound specialist with expertise in digestive and liver disorders. Dr. Varma completed his MBBS from Government Medical College Thrissur, followed by MD in General Medicine from JIPMER and DM in Gastroenterology from Medical College Trivandrum. His clinical practice focuses on advanced gastroenterological diagnosis and therapeutic endoscopic care.

Dr. Ahmed Mudkoor is a Consultant and Lecturer in Gastroenterology and Hepatology based in Cairo, Egypt. His clinical and academic interests span gastroenterology, hepatology and the advancement of evidence-based digestive disease management.

Dr. Amol Bapaye is a renowned interventional GI endoscopist from Pune, India, specializing in advanced ERCP, EUS and third-space endoscopy, including ESD, POEM, STER and EFTR. He is an internationally recognized educator and one of India’s prominent experts in advanced endoscopy.

Dr. Mohammed Nabil Quraishi is a Consultant Gastroenterologist and Director of the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Centre at Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City, Abu Dhabi. His clinical expertise focuses on inflammatory bowel disease and complex gastrointestinal disorders. He is actively involved in advancing IBD care through evidence-based treatment, research and professional education. His experience in specialist digestive medicine makes him a valuable contributor to multidisciplinary gastroenterology programmes in the UAE.

Dr. Mohammed Banama is a gastroenterology specialist involved in the management of gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary disorders. His professional interests include digestive disease management, endoscopy and multidisciplinary patient care. He contributes to continuing medical education through participation in professional scientific programmes. As a chairperson at Gastro Abu Dhabi, he supports academic discussion and knowledge exchange among gastroenterologists, hepatologists, surgeons and other healthcare professionals.

Dr. Ashik Sainu Mohiyadeen is a Senior Consultant Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist in Oman, specializing in advanced therapeutic endoscopy. He has held significant clinical leadership roles and established advanced endoscopy and 24-hour GI bleeding services in Oman’s private healthcare sector

Dr. Hisham Aldhabab is a Senior Consultant Gastroenterologist and Advanced Therapeutic Endoscopist in Oman. He also heads an endoscopy unit and serves as President of the Oman Gastroenterology Society, contributing to the development of advanced GI endoscopy and gastroenterology in the region.

Dr. Mohammed Thoufeeq is a Consultant Gastroenterologist based in Sheffield, UK. His clinical expertise encompasses general gastroenterology, hepatology and endoscopic management of gastrointestinal disorders.

Dr. Mridul Das is a Gastroenterology specialist involved in the diagnosis and management of gastrointestinal and digestive disorders. His clinical practice includes multidisciplinary management of patients with complex gastrointestinal conditions and participation in professional medical education. As a chairperson at Gastro Abu Dhabi, he contributes to scientific dialogue and knowledge sharing among gastroenterologists, hepatologists, surgeons and endoscopy specialists from the UAE and internationally.

Dr. Mohammed Shareef Tholoor is a medical specialist with professional interests in gastrointestinal and digestive disease management. His clinical practice involves the evaluation and management of patients with gastrointestinal disorders and multidisciplinary care. He contributes to professional education and scientific discussion through participation in medical meetings. As a chairperson at Gastro Abu Dhabi, he supports knowledge exchange and interaction between local and international experts across gastroenterology and related specialties.

Dr. Matthew Vadukoot is a medical specialist involved in gastrointestinal and digestive disease care. His professional activities include specialist clinical practice, multidisciplinary patient management and medical education. He contributes to scientific meetings and professional discussions that support the advancement of evidence-based healthcare. As a chairperson at Gastro Abu Dhabi, he will facilitate interaction between delegates and faculty and contribute to the exchange of contemporary knowledge in digestive medicine.

Dr. Nikhil Gupta is a Specialist in Gastroenterology at NMC Specialty Hospital, Abu Dhabi, with more than a decade of clinical experience. His practice encompasses gastroenterology, hepatology and advanced diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy. His clinical interests include gastrointestinal and liver disorders, endoscopic evaluation and management of complex digestive disease. He is also involved in professional education and scientific programmes, contributing to the development of gastroenterology services in the UAE.

Dr. Rami Moucari is a Gastroenterologist based in Abu Dhabi with broad expertise in digestive and liver disorders. His procedural experience includes gastroscopy, colonoscopy, EUS, ERCP, capsule endoscopy, FibroScan and gastrointestinal motility studies. His clinical interests encompass inflammatory bowel disease, hepatobiliary disorders, pancreatic disease, GERD and functional gastrointestinal conditions. He contributes to multidisciplinary digestive disease management and continuing professional education.

Dr. Ranjeet Rao is a gastroenterology specialist with clinical experience in the diagnosis and management of gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary disorders. His professional interests encompass digestive disease management, endoscopy and multidisciplinary patient care. He contributes to continuing medical education and scientific discussion through participation in professional gastroenterology programmes. As a chairperson, he supports meaningful interaction between regional experts and international faculty at Gastro Abu Dhabi.

Dr. Suvadip Chatterjee is a gastroenterology specialist with experience in gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary disease, including complex pancreaticobiliary conditions. He has undertaken clinical and academic work in the United Kingdom and contributed to research and peer-reviewed medical literature. His professional interests include advanced gastrointestinal care, endoscopy and multidisciplinary management. He participates in scientific meetings and educational programmes, contributing an international perspective to contemporary gastroenterology discussions.

Dr. Sathish Mogan is a Consultant Gastroenterologist with clinical experience in the United Kingdom and the UAE. His expertise encompasses general gastroenterology and the management of gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary disorders. He has participated in scientific and academic programmes addressing complex gastrointestinal and pancreaticobiliary conditions. His involvement in professional education and multidisciplinary discussions reflects his commitment to evidence-based practice and continuous advancement in gastroenterology.

Dr. Mohan Ramchandan is a Consultant Gastroenterologist at the Asian Institute of Gastroenterology in Hyderabad, India. His clinical interests include gastroenterology, hepatology and advanced diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy.

Dr. D. Nageshwar Reddy is a globally recognized gastroenterologist and the founder and Chairman of the Asian Institute of Gastroenterology in Hyderabad. A recipient of the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan, he has made major contributions to therapeutic endoscopy and gastroenterology and has received prestigious international honors, including the Rudolf V. Schindler Award.

Dr. Noor Mohammed is a Consultant Gastroenterologist and Interventional Endoscopist at St James’s University Hospital NHS Trust in Leeds, UK. His clinical practice focuses on gastroenterology and advanced endoscopic interventions.

Dr. Saeed Salem Shaikh is a Consultant Gastroenterologist with experience in the diagnosis and management of gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary disorders. His clinical interests encompass specialist digestive disease management and endoscopic care. He has participated in professional gastroenterology programmes as a speaker, moderator and chairperson, contributing to continuing medical education and multidisciplinary discussion. His involvement in Gastro Abu Dhabi supports the exchange of regional expertise with leading international faculty.

Dr. Sreehari Pillai is a gastroenterology specialist with experience in the assessment and management of gastrointestinal and digestive disorders. His professional interests include medical gastroenterology, hepatobiliary conditions and endoscopic care. He participates in multidisciplinary clinical practice and professional education. Through his role as a chairperson at Gastro Abu Dhabi, he contributes to scientific discussion, clinical knowledge sharing and interaction between regional and international specialists.

Dr. Salem Awadh is a Consultant Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist with experience in specialist digestive healthcare in Abu Dhabi. His clinical interests include gastrointestinal and liver disorders, diagnostic evaluation and endoscopic management. He has participated in regional gastroenterology programmes and professional scientific meetings as a speaker, moderator and chairperson. His contribution to Gastro Abu Dhabi reflects his commitment to continuing medical education and multidisciplinary collaboration in digestive healthcare.

Dr. Samer Al Awadhi is a gastroenterology specialist with experience in digestive and hepatobiliary disease management. His clinical interests encompass gastrointestinal disorders and specialist digestive care. He participates in professional gastroenterology programmes and scientific discussions, contributing to continuing medical education. As a chairperson at Gastro Abu Dhabi, he facilitates multidisciplinary interaction and helps connect regional clinical experience with the latest developments presented by international faculty.

Dr. Sandeep Nair is a Gastroenterologist associated with NMC Specialty Hospital, Al Ain. His clinical practice focuses on the diagnosis and management of gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary disorders, supported by experience in medical gastroenterology and endoscopic evaluation. He participates in multidisciplinary patient care and continuing medical education. As a chairperson at Gastro Abu Dhabi, Dr. Nair contributes to scientific discussion and knowledge exchange across the regional gastroenterology community.

Dr. Thomas Cherukara is a Consultant Gastroenterologist and Head of the Endoscopy Unit at Kuwait Hospital, Sharjah. He has extensive experience in gastroenterology and advanced endoscopic procedures and has contributed to the development of specialist endoscopy services in the UAE. His clinical interests include gastrointestinal disorders, diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy and complex digestive disease management. He is also actively involved in professional education and scientific gastroenterology programmes.

Dr. Noriya Uedo is Vice-Director of the Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology at the Osaka International Cancer Institute, Japan. He is internationally recognized for his expertise in gastrointestinal oncology and advanced endoscopic diagnosis and treatment of early GI cancers.

Dr. Pankaj Desai is Director and Head of Endoscopy & EUS at SIDS Hospital & Research Centre, Surat. With 27 years of clinical experience, he is highly experienced in ERCP, EUS and third-space endoscopy, and has contributed extensively to research, training and international education in advanced endoscopy.

Dr. Rajesh Puri is an Interventional Gastroenterologist at Medanta, Gurugram, India. He is recognized for his expertise in advanced therapeutic endoscopy and interventional gastroenterology, with a focus on complex GI and pancreatobiliary disorders.

Dr. Rakesh Kalapana is a Senior Consultant Gastroenterologist and Therapeutic Endoscopist at AIG Hospitals, Hyderabad. He leads the Center for Obesity & Metabolic Therapy and the Center for Artificial Intelligence & Innovation, with expertise in advanced endoscopy, bariatric endoscopy and emerging technologies in gastroenterology.

Dr. Rupa Banerjee is a Senior Consultant Gastroenterologist and Director of the Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Clinic at the Asian Institute of Gastroenterology, Hyderabad. She is also involved in research and academic activities and has a particular focus on IBD and complex gastrointestinal disorders.

Dr. Sanjay Rajput is a Gastroenterologist, Hepatologist and Endoscopist based in Ahmedabad, India. His clinical practice encompasses digestive and liver diseases, with expertise in diagnostic and therapeutic gastrointestinal endoscopy.

Dr. Yaser El-Gazzar is a UK-trained Senior Consultant Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist at King’s College Hospital London, Dubai Hills, with more than 30 years of clinical and academic experience.
He is the Lead and Director of the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Service, with extensive expertise in Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, hepatology, bowel cancer screening, and advanced endoscopy. Dr. El-Gazzar has performed more than 30,000 diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic procedures and holds UK accreditation in bowel cancer screening, interventional endoscopy, and whole-bowel capsule endoscopy.
He previously served as Chief of Endoscopy Services and Deputy Director of the NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme in East London. Alongside his clinical practice, he has held senior academic positions at Queen Mary University of London and currently serves as an Adjunct Clinical Associate Professor at Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences and Gulf Medical University.

Dr. Xavier Arturo Garcia Aguilera is Head of Department and Consultant in Gastroenterology and Hepatology at NMC Royal Hospital, Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi. With more than 18 years of experience, he has extensive expertise in diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy and has performed thousands of gastrointestinal procedures. His clinical interests include advanced endoscopy, hepatology and complex gastrointestinal disorders. He is actively involved in medical education and professional gastroenterology meetings.

Dr. Zaheer Koutoubi is a Consultant Gastroenterologist with extensive experience in specialist digestive healthcare in the UAE. He has been associated with the Digestive Disease Institute at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi and has contributed to the development of gastroenterology services in the region. His clinical interests include gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary disorders, endoscopy and multidisciplinary management of complex digestive disease. He has also contributed to regional professional education and consensus initiatives.

Dr. Zeshan Riaz is a Consultant in Gastroenterology and Hepatology with more than 15 years of clinical experience. UK-trained, he has worked across leading NHS institutions before establishing his practice in Abu Dhabi. His areas of expertise include hepatology, fatty liver disease, end-stage liver disease, viral hepatitis, pancreatic disorders and gastrointestinal conditions. He has also held senior leadership responsibilities in medicine and gastroenterology within the UAE.

Dr. Nigel Beejay is a Consultant Gastroenterologist at Emirates Hospital, Abu Dhabi. He is part of the UAE’s specialist gastroenterology community and contributes clinical expertise in the diagnosis and management of gastrointestinal and digestive disorders. His role as a Consultant Gastroenterologist reflects extensive experience in specialist gastroenterology care and multidisciplinary management of patients with digestive diseases. He joins the faculty alongside leading gastroenterologists from major hospitals across Abu Dhabi and the UAE.

Dr. Shiva Kumar is Chair of Gastroenterology and Hepatology and Medical Director of Liver Transplantation at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. He completed fellowship training in Gastroenterology and Hepatology at Mayo Clinic and advanced clinical and research training in Hepatology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. He has extensive experience in liver transplantation and hepatology and previously served in senior transplant leadership roles at major US transplant centers. He was also part of the team behind the UAE’s first full liver transplant.

Dr. Rajneesh Rajan is a Gastroenterologist and Head of the Gastroenterology Department at NMC Specialty Hospital, Al Nahda, Dubai. He completed his medical graduation in Kerala, followed by MD in Internal Medicine from PGI Chandigarh and DM in Gastroenterology from Government Medical College, Calicut. He spent the first decade of his professional career at Aster MIMS before moving to his current role in Dubai. His principal clinical area of expertise is inflammatory bowel disease.

Dr. Shamsheer Kote is a Consultant Gastroenterologist with extensive UK and UAE experience. He currently practices at Medcare Hospital, Al Safa and Medcare Dr. Saeed Al Shaikh Gastro and Obesity Centre in Dubai. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of London and holds UK specialist certification. Dr. Kote spent many years working within the NHS, including as a Consultant Gastroenterologist and Physician, before moving to the UAE. His expertise covers gastroenterology, hepatology, IBD, IBS, GERD and liver disease.

Dr. Veeraraghavan Krishnamurthy is Head of Gastroenterology at NMC Specialty Hospital, Al Ain. He has 16 years of medical experience, including eight years specializing in gastroenterology. His clinical expertise includes advanced endoscopic procedures and early diagnosis of gastrointestinal cancers. Dr. Veeraraghavan has undertaken specialized training in India and Japan and has held academic positions alongside his clinical practice. He has led the Gastroenterology Department at NMC Specialty Hospital, Al Ain, since 2021.

Dr. Vikas Gupta has over two decades of experience in Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery in Gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary-pancreatic surgery. He was last associated with the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India, as a Professor in the Department of Surgical Gastroenterology. He had been an Executive Member of the International Hepato Pancreatic Biliary Association, Indian Chapter. Dr Vikas is an MBBS Gold Medallist from Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla. He holds multiple post-doctoral Fellowships in Liver Transplantation and HPB Surgery from Kings College Hospital London, Asan Medical Centre Seoul, Universitat Klinikum Heidelberg, and Medanta Institute. He has nearly 150 peer-reviewed research publications and book chapters to his name.

Dr. Yogesh Manohar Shastri is a highly experienced gastroenterologist in Abu Dhabi, known for his expertise in advanced endoscopic procedures and hepatology. Dr. Yogesh obtained his MBBS from the Government Medical College, Jabalpur, India, followed by MD (Internal Medicine) from the University of Mumbai. In 2004, he obtained his super-speciality DNB in Medical Gastroenterology from the prestigious Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai. He has over 16 years of experience in medical gastroenterology, therapeutic endoscopy and Hepatology. He acquired advanced training at Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany, and a Clinical Fellowship in Endoscopic Ultrasound at Institute Paoli-Calmettes, Marseille, France, under Prof. Marc Giovannini. Dr. Yogesh joined NMC Specialty Hospital, Abu Dhabi, in 2012. He heads the Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology and chairs the Endoscopic Ultrasound program. He has published about 100 articles.