Prof. Safwan A Taha, MD, FACS, CABS, FRCSGlasg, MSMBS, SOEMBS, Director of the Program

Prof. Safwan Taha is a Professor of Surgery and Director of the Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery Center at Mediclinic Abu Dhabi. He graduated from Basrah College of Medicine, Iraq in 1983 with honors and went on to become Professor of Surgery in 2000, then founding Dean of Thi-Qar College of Medicine in 2003. He holds fellowships from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow and the American College of Surgeons, along with specialized training in laparoscopic surgery from Louis Pasteur University in France.

Prof. Taha specializes in weight-loss surgery (gastric sleeve, mini-bypass, and gastric bypass) as well as managing weight regain and complications after obesity surgery. He is also highly experienced in advanced keyhole surgery for hernia repair and reflux disease, including single-incision laparoscopic techniques. He has performed thousands of bariatric procedures and is recognized as a Master Surgeon in Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery by the Surgical Review Corporation in the USA.

Prof. Taha is an international leader in his field, having won the prestigious SAGES Travelling Fellowship Award twice (2006 and 2007) — the first surgeon to receive this honor twice. He currently serves as Governor of the UAE Chapter of the American College of Surgeons and is a founding member of the Emirates Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. He is a sought-after international speaker and has published over 37 peer-reviewed papers.