Five decades of commitment

Dr George Matthew’s involvement with the UAE’s medical field since 1967 is a story of perseverance when faced with challenges

No electricity, no advanced medical equipment, not even proper roads. Those were the challenges Dr George Matthew faced when he came to the UAE in 1967 to serve as Al Ain’s first government doctor.

“You can imagine how challenging it was,” said Dr Matthew, a UAE citizen of Indian origin.

“To work in those conditions, you had to be innovative. If I had a patient who had a fractured hand, for example, I didn’t have access to X-ray machines or laboratories and so to diagnose and treat them was a challenge,” he added.

Recollecting his experiences, Dr Matthew spoke about the first case of pregnancy he handled at the clinic, which at the time had no running water.

“A lady came into the clinic at about 2pm as she was about to deliver. We had no water at the hospital, we had taps but they were not working, and so we had to send some people to a wadi in the city that had fresh running water.

“By the time they brought the water to the clinic, she had already delivered the baby,” he said.

Dr Matthew says the unorthodox approach was the norm at the time. “There was a man who was wounded in the face and required 14 stitches. I remember it was around 11.30pm when I went to the clinic to attend to him, but there were no lights and so I made him sit in front of the car and in the glare of its headlights, I worked on his wound, stemmed the bleeding and stitched him up.

“To this day, I say that was the best piece of plastic surgery I ever did,” he said, with a laugh.

Dr Matthew also spoke proudly of his interactions with Shaikh Zayed.

“I had many meetings with Shaikh Zayed. I remember one day he told me how the country would become one of the most developed and advanced. He had a clear vision of what he wanted for the country, and not just for the medical sector alone. “All the advancements in the country’s medical services — from the humble beginnings with a small clinic to where we are now — is thanks to Shaikh Zayed and the foundation he laid,” he added.

Dr Matthew to this day continues to be involved with the country’s medical sector, and serves as an official medical adviser to the Diwan of the Ruler’s Representative in Al Ain.

“I still visit hospitals, coordinate with doctors and see patients. I don’t treat patients anymore, but I consult and discuss with doctors about the treatment plan.

“I’m very proud of my long association with the country’s health services. It’s been a privilege for me to dedicate five decades of my life to its health sector; it’s something that I want to continue doing.”

I had many meetings with Shaikh Zayed. I remember one day he told me how the country would become one of the most developed.”

Dr George Matthew | The first government doctor in Al Ain