EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW IN MUSCAT
In an exclusive tete-à-tete with Mohammad Tarique Saleem, Editor, Arabian Times, Dr. Taimoor Al Bulushi, Head of the Craniofacial Unit at Khoula Hospital, Muscat, offers a compelling look into one of the Middle East’s most advanced medical specialties. As the leader of the region’s only dedicated craniofacial surgery centre, Dr. Al Bulushi explains how Oman has revolutionized access to highly complex surgical care, bringing procedures that once required travel abroad directly to its people. From life-saving interventions for craniosynostosis and severe facial trauma to pioneering advancements such as endoscopic techniques and locally manufactured cranioplasty materials, the department stands as a symbol of national innovation and pride. Supported by a fully integrated multidisciplinary team and a strong culture of early diagnosis, Khoula Hospital is transforming outcomes for countless children and adults, often preventing blindness, disability, and even loss of life. This exclusive interview sheds light on the remarkable progress shaping Oman’s healthcare excellence.
As the head of the craniofacial unit at Khoula Hospital, how do you define the core mission of your department in serving patients across Oman?
The Ministry of Health Division here in Oman, in general, and especially related to the plastic and craniofacial surgeries, to provide the best service. The complex surgical procedure which used to be done abroad in the past, and Ministry, and our Director General, and Ministry of Health is very keenly interested to bring all the services which has been done in the past in other countries, should be available here at the doorstep of the patient.
I am really proud and honoured to say that we did that, and now all kinds of complex craniofacial and plastic surgical procedures are being done here at Khoula Hospital as a dedicated craniofacial centre, which is a unique centre in the whole Middle East. Such kind of dedicated craniofacial surgery unit is not available in any other part of the Middle East, as well as in the GCC country. We are a dedicated team of craniofacial surgeons, other speciality availability like neurosurgeons, ENT, ophthalmologists, so everything is available under one roof.
What are the most common craniofacial conditions you treat, and how has the treatment landscape evolved in recent years?
The most common craniofacial procedures what we are doing here in Khoula Hospital under craniofacial unit are the craniosynostosis surgery, which could be syndromic and non-syndromic, correction of the cranial vault deformity, correction of the facial deformity, and another big workhorse for us as a craniofacial surgeon is the craniofacial trauma. As you know that the high-speed traffic and high-speed drive here in Oman is giving very, very bad and severe craniofacial injury. So these are the main workhorse for us, plus we do a lot of complex craniofacial cleft surgery as well. Khoula Hospital is known for its advanced surgical capabilities.
What cutting-edge technologies or techniques have recently been introduced in the craniofacial unit?
Craniofacial unit is highly advanced surgery, and our unit is one of the best craniofacial unit in the region. And we use all kind of advanced technology like endoscope for the craniofacial surgery, and we are using the resolvable plates and screws, which is readily and freely available, and as well as any other type of craniofacial implant. And we have homemade cranioplasty material, peak material is being made here in the Sultanate of Oman, which is again one of the innovation done by the craniofacial unit. We thought that rather than bringing the material from abroad, we have to build up all these kind of material itself here. And plus I must say that the establishment of the craniofacial team itself is the biggest innovation.
How do you view the support extended to Khoula Hospital under the leadership of H.E. Dr. Hilal Al Sabti, Minister of Health, and Dr. Rashid Al Alawi, Director General of Khoula Hospital ?
Under the visionary leadership of H.E. Dr. Hilal Al Sabti and the dedicated guidance of Dr. Rashid Al Alawi, Khoula Hospital has received exceptional support that has truly elevated our capabilities. Their commitment has enabled the craniofacial unit to adopt advanced technologies, strengthen multidisciplinary teamwork, and expand access to highly specialized surgeries within Oman. This backing has allowed us to treat complex conditions locally, enhance early-diagnosis pathways, and achieve outcomes that were once possible only abroad. Their leadership fosters a culture of innovation, compassion, and excellence, ensuring that every patient receives world-class care rooted in national pride and medical advancement.
How does your team approach complex cases that require multidisciplinary collaborations?
First of all, such cases are being referred from other hospital or other region, and they were seen in the craniofacial clinic by the craniofacial team member or by a consultant. Then based on that we start investigating the case, and same time we make several referral to other speciality department like a neurosurgeon, ENT, and ophthalmologist. Once all the investigations, all the diagnostic tools are gathered together, then we plan a craniofacial planning meeting with the different speciality people.
Based on the planning meeting, we plan a surgical intervention. And in these planning meetings, not only the multidisciplinary team members are present, as well as the patients, their parents, and distant relatives are also gathering in the same venue. So we discuss and explain all kind of pros and cons of the surgery, as well as explain to them about the surgical procedure and post-operative care.
What role does early diagnosis play in improving outcomes for children born with craniofacial abnormalities?
This is a very good question. Actually, early diagnosis is the main factor of treating such kind of anomaly patients, because if you treat them early, the results could be much, much better. And complications related to the syndrome or the anomaly itself can be minimised. So we always emphasise on the early diagnosis.
So how do you do the early diagnosis?
We need to create awareness among the population and awareness to the other specialists, so they know that these kind of anomalies are treatable and should be referred to the craniofacial unit in Khola Hospital, which is the highest craniofacial centre in the whole country, as well as in the Middle East.
Could you share an impactful case or experience that highlights the transformative nature of craniofacial surgery?
This is actually, we always, every week, one or two cases are being done in our centre, but there are several cases which we operated, that if we don’t intervene, the child will get blind, our child can die anytime. So there were a few cases which were referred to us, and we noticed that there is a severely raised intracranial pressure. So we planned all the meeting, all the investigation within a few days’ time, and the child was operated immediately, and we could save their vision.
How has Oman’s healthcare system supported advancement in craniofacial surgery and reconstructive care?
This was a vision, actually, of Ministry of Health and our higher authority in the Ministry of Health, as well as the Khoula Hospital Directorate General. So this vision started long back in 2005, when Ministry decided to train Omani surgeons to take up this speciality, because previously these cases used to go to Australia, America, and the United Kingdom, which was costing a big amount of money to the government of Oman, as well as suffering for the patient and their parents.
So in 2005, this vision came up, and then I was the first candidate which could avail this opportunity, and I was trained in Australia in one of the best craniofacial centres, which is called Australian Craniofacial Centre. And once I completed my training, I returned back so that all doors were open, and I’m thankful to the Ministry, Ministry of Health, and Directorate General of Khoula Hospital for all the support.
Whatever was required to establish the craniofacial centre was provided to us by the Ministry of Health without any hesitation. And now I can say that we have all kinds of resources and the facility available to treat not only the Omani patients, but we have treated the patients from other countries, like we have treated the kids from Gaza with the severe craniofacial anomalies.
What is your long-term vision for the craniofacial unit at Khoula Hospital in terms of expansion, innovation, and patient care?
The craniofacial speciality is very unique and highly specialised. So my vision is that there should be one central unit for the whole GCC country, as well as for the Middle East, where all kinds of craniofacial anomalies are being referred and sent to our centre with a multi-disciplinary team approach. And it should be accepting the cases from all the GCC countries, as well as from other areas if the facilities are not available, like in the neighbouring countries.
I’m happy to say that, you know, because of our work, our craniofacial unit and myself were invited in other GCC countries to conduct craniofacial surgery. So I wish that in the long term, with the help of the Ministry of Health, we should be able to organise or make a regional craniofacial centre in Oman, which can treat patients from other countries.
