Interview with Dr Hecham Harb Consultant Endocrinologist and Medical Director of Endocare Dubai

A Global Medical Journey Across Multiple Healthcare Systems

Dr. Hecham Harb is originally from Syria but has lived and worked in many countries since completing his undergraduate medical training. After working in Saudi Arabia, he went to the UK where he passed the MRCP examination and worked for one year before relocating back to the Middle East due to family circumstances. He then worked as a consultant in Endocrinology and Internal Medicine in Bahrain and Kuwait.

In 2016, he moved to Australia, where he worked as a Consultant Endocrinologist at the Albury Wodonga Health and MedAlliance Physicians Group. He completed an honorary fellowship in Endocrinology and Obesity Management in Melbourne, Australia. He also taught at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) as an adjunct senior medical lecturer.

While moving to different countries comes with challenges, Dr. Harb feels that his experience has been beneficial in many ways. He has been able to learn from experts in his speciality and get to know different cultures and health systems. He still keeps in touch with colleagues in Australia and other places where he has worked.

Academic and Teaching Contributions

Teaching is one of Dr. Harb’s passions, and he particularly enjoyed his time at the medical school in Melbourne. He used to tell the undergraduates, “At the end of this lecture, you will be a junior diabetologist.” Some of the students, when they graduated, came back to tell him that he had inspired them to learn more and was a role model for them. He also learned a lot from the students.

Why Dubai Became the Ideal Destination

Dr. Harb and his family enjoyed their time in Australia, but it was also hard being so far away from extended family. They missed the Middle Eastern culture, and there was no Arabic-speaking community where they lived. Their children could understand Arabic but did not speak it, if they spoke to the children in Arabic, they would reply in English.

After consideration, they decided that Dubai was the ideal place, as it has a great mix of both Arabic and international cultures. They wanted their children to be exposed to different cultures and grow up to be international citizens.

Building a Career in Dubai’s Private Healthcare Sector

It always takes some adjustment when you relocate to a new country, but having worked in other GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries with similar health systems before was an advantage for Dr. Harb. The healthcare sector in Dubai is competitive, as there are many private hospitals and clinics, so patients have a lot of choice. You need to attract patients and make them aware of your expertise.

In this region, patients have come to expect a closer relationship with their doctor. There is often an expectation that their specific doctor will be contactable out of office hours, which may not always be the case in other countries. While this may mean dealing with calls after hours, it also has benefits. Patients may even come to view you as a part of their family once you establish a good rapport with them.

Building a Patient Base

Dr. Harb has been a Consultant Endocrinologist at Emirates Hospital Group since April 2022. It took some time at the beginning to build up a patient base and establish his professional reputation, but after this he has been very busy. Most hospitals have marketing departments, but he has found that word of mouth and personal recommendations are the most effective way to recruit patients.

He also started using social media to inform and educate about topics such as weight loss or diabetes. As an Arabic speaker, he is able to make videos in both Arabic and English, which is beneficial in this region. Working in the private sector, especially, it is important to find your niche, or what makes you unique.

How He Became Interested in Obesity and Weight Loss Management

Dr. Harb saw a need for a more holistic and scientific approach to the management of patients with obesity and co-morbidities such as type 2 diabetes. He believes we are at the crossroads to a revolution in obesity management, with breakthroughs in research, new medications and treatment approaches. However, there are still many challenges to be overcome.

Obesity is a chronic disease with a complex aetiology. There are no quick fixes, or one solution that suits everyone. Unfortunately, there can be a social stigma associated with obesity. As doctors, we should not blame or judge individuals for being overweight or obese. Patients who are obese are often already frustrated as they have tried different treatments and strategies, such as dieting or even bariatric surgery, without long-term success. It is not simply a matter of willpower. Patients deserve to be treated respectfully, to be supported, and to be worked with.

Training and Mentorship

Dr. Harb has recognised a need for improved training in obesity management, which can be challenging for busy physicians. He tries to support colleagues, he recently gave a talk about Obesity at the 10th International Family Medicine Conference in Dubai.

A holistic, evidence-based approach involves assessing not only physical parameters, but also psychological, social, emotional, lifestyle and environmental factors. He had a great mentor at the University of Melbourne, Professor Joseph Proietto, who has done a lot of research on the genetic and biochemical causes of obesity and type 2 diabetes. Professor Proietto has also pioneered Obesity Clinics in Australia. Dr. Harb learnt so much from his example, not only about obesity management but also how to communicate with patients, building trust and rapport.

The Vision Behind Endocare

As an Endocrinology Consultant working in Emirates Hospital Jumeirah, Dr. Harb already had a focus on obesity management. When the opportunity to join Endocare as Medical Director arose, he felt that this was the ideal setting to further develop the holistic approach he had been working towards. However, he still wanted to continue as a hospital consultant managing a full range of endocrinology diseases.

At first, it was not clear how he could take this forward, but the management at Emirates Hospital Group were very supportive. They allowed him to work part-time at Emirates Hospital. He still sees almost the same number of patients, as his clinics are always full. They also came to an agreement that patients who come to Endocare are sent to the hospital for imaging and lab tests, or other specialist consultations when required.

Endocare’s Hybrid Model

Endocare opened in Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC) in September 2023. The vision of Endocare is to improve obesity management through a holistic, individualised, scientific approach. While Endocare focuses on the treatment of obesity, it also offers a full range of endocrinology services.

Endocare is a hybrid clinic, which means that patients are consulted with and supported both virtually and in-clinic. This gives greater flexibility for those who are busy, are unable to travel to the clinic, or prefer the convenience of video consultations and home delivery for medications.

How Endocare’s Weight Loss Programme Works

Dr. Harb and the team at Endocare, including nurses, dieticians, health and lifestyle coaches, all work together to empower patients to reach their goals. They recognise that each individual is unique, and therefore the programme starts with getting to know patients and carrying out metabolic, dietary and psychological assessments. They also consider many factors such as lifestyle, physical activity, sleep patterns, and stress. A personalised plan is created for each patient.

They do prescribe the latest GLP-1 weight loss medications such as Mounjaro, Saxenda, Wegovy, and others, but this is done as part of the overall weight loss programme. There are no quick fixes. They recognise that it takes time to learn new skills and change habits. Therefore, they offer ongoing support to help patients make incremental changes in order to achieve lasting results.

Balancing a Busy Career with Personal Interests

Dr. Harb’s work, between the hospital and Endocare, is very busy. But he does try to find time for his music. He has played the violin and Oud (a Middle-Eastern stringed instrument) since he was a young teenager. Music helps him to relax after a busy or stressful day, and he feels it has also benefited his communication and empathy skills.

When he was in Australia, he hosted an Oriental music concert, including serving homemade traditional food. This was a great event which brought people from different cultures closer together.

Vision for the Future of Obesity Management

Dr. Harb’s vision is for the impact of obesity in the region to be reduced by improved care, as well as prevention. Endocare was established fairly recently but is already growing. There are plans to expand into Saudi Arabia in the future.

There is a need for more education and awareness, both among the medical profession and in the wider society. Partnerships are needed with different stakeholders such as schools, communities and restaurants. Dr. Harb believes that, by working together, we can reduce the prevalence of obesity in the Middle East region.

How Allocation Assist Supports Doctors Relocating to the UAE

Relocating internationally as a medical professional involves navigating multiple stages, from licensing and job placement to integrating into a new healthcare system and settling your family. Allocation Assist streamlines this process by providing structured support at each phase.

Key Areas of Assistance

1. Licensing and regulatory navigation, guiding physicians through credentialing requirements specific to the UAE.
2. Role identification and placement, matching specialists with positions aligned to their clinical expertise and career objectives.
3. Relocation and family logistics, coordinating practical elements to ensure a seamless move for the entire family.
4. Ongoing support, keeping in touch with relocated doctors, following their experiences and achievements in their new roles.

For internationally trained specialists like Dr. Harb, this structured support ensures a smoother transition into the UAE healthcare system, allowing them to focus on delivering high-quality patient care.