Interview

Dr. Ihab Al Jizi

Consultant Pulmonologist at Dubai London Clinics & Hospitals

Redefining Respiratory Care Through Precision Diagnosis and Integrated Medicine

Dubai London Clinics & Hospitals are setting new benchmarks in respiratory and chest care, supported by advanced medical technologies and a team of senior consultants. As respiratory diseases continue to rise in complexity, driven by lifestyle factors, environmental challenges, and aging populations, the need for precise diagnosis and integrated, multidisciplinary care has never been greater. Hospitals Magazine met with Dr. Ihab Al Jizi, Consultant Pulmonologist at Dubai London Clinics & Hospitals, to discuss the institution’s comprehensive care model, the role of early and accurate diagnosis, and how coordinated teamwork across specialties is transforming the lives of patients suffering from respiratory diseases.

Dubai London Clinics & Hospitals has built a strong reputation in chest and respiratory care. What, in your view, truly distinguishes your approach from other centers in the region?

Since its establishment, Dubai London Clinics & Hospitals have been committed to adopting a fully integrated respiratory care model that brings together advanced diagnostic technologies, specialized clinical expertise,
and meticulous long-term follow-up for every patient.

This ensures not only an accurate assessment of each condition, but also safe, stable, and sustainable improvement over time. Today, we operate within a highly advanced diagnostic ecosystem that includes pulmonary function testing, high-resolution medical imaging, and modern assessment tools for respiratory diseases.

This allows us to diagnose a wide spectrum of chest conditions. whether acute or chronic, at an early and highly precise stage. But our role does not stop at diagnosis. We take a holistic view of each patient, considering medical history, lifestyle factors, and associated conditions to build a comprehensive understanding of their health.

Equally important is our commitment to close and continuous follow-up. We monitor disease progression carefully, detect early changes, and adjust treatment plans proactively whenever needed. This forward-looking approach helps stabilize conditions, reduce complications, and achieve safe and lasting improvement in both the short and long term.

This model is further strengthened by multidisciplinary teamwork, especially in complex cases where respiratory disease overlaps with other medical conditions.

In an environment where patient safety and treatment effectiveness are top priorities, Dubai London Clinics & Hospitals remains committed to delivering respiratory care that meets the highest international standards and best clinical practices.

Many respiratory conditions, especially chronic ones, are complex and involve more than one system in the body. How do you manage such cases in practice?

Complex pulmonary diseases, particularly chronic and long-standing conditions, are managed at Dubai London Clinics & Hospitals through a fully integrated care model based on close coordination between pulmonologists and consultants from multiple specialties.

This collaborative approach allows us to provide a comprehensive and precise evaluation of each patient, taking into account respiratory, cardiac, and other contributing factors. Based on this holistic assessment, we develop a clear diagnostic pathway and a personalized treatment plan that reflects both the nature of the disease and the stage it has reached.

Because respiratory conditions span a wide spectrum, from acute to chronic and progressive illnesses, we place great emphasis on continuous and structured follow-up, with regular reviews of treatment plans and timely adjustments whenever necessary.

This team-based, integrated approach significantly improves treatment effectiveness, reduces complications, and enhances patients’ quality of life in both the short and long term.

Modern pulmonology has become increasingly technology-driven. What diagnostic tools form the backbone of your respiratory program today?

The respiratory care program at Dubai London Clinics & Hospitals is built around a comprehensive, advanced diagnostic platform that is tailored to each patient’s specific needs. Today, modern diagnostic tools are the cornerstone of pulmonology, as they play a critical role in establishing accurate diagnoses, assessing disease severity, and designing effective treatment strategies.Among the most important investigations we rely on are:

  • Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs) to assess lung performance and evaluate conditions such as asthma, COPD, and restrictive lung diseases.
  • Advanced asthma testing, including Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide (FeNO), to assess allergic airway inflammation and monitor response to treatment.
  • Allergy skin prick testing to identify triggers that may worsen respiratory conditions.
  • Blood tests and laboratory investigations to evaluate inflammatory and allergic markers and help differentiate between various causes of chest symptoms.
  • Conventional and advanced imaging, including CT scans, to assess lung structure and detect subtle changes not visible on standard X-rays.
  • CT pulmonary angiography, to evaluate pulmonary circulation and diagnose conditions such as pulmonary embolism.
  • Fiberoptic bronchoscopy, which allows direct visualization of the airways and sampling when needed.
  • Endobronchial ultrasound-guided procedures (EBUS), an advanced technique used to diagnose lymph node and mediastinal diseases with high precision, particularly in suspected tumors or deep infections.

What truly distinguishes our approach is that these tests are never used in isolation. Their results are integrated into a comprehensive clinical assessment, and complex cases are discussed within multidisciplinary teams to ensure the highest possible diagnostic accuracy and the most effective treatment strategy.

Sleep apnea is receiving increasing attention worldwide. How do you approach its diagnosis at Dubai London Clinics & Hospitals?

Sleep apnea is a common disorder characterized by repeated pauses in breathing during sleep, leading to poor sleep quality and reduced oxygen levels in the blood. Patients typically present with loud snoring, excessive daytime fatigue and sleepiness, morning headaches, and poor concentration.

At Dubai London Clinics & Hospitals, we follow a precise and structured diagnostic pathway. It begins with a thorough clinical assessment of symptoms and medical history, followed by a sleep study (Polysomnography), which remains the gold standard for diagnosing sleep apnea.

This comprehensive test measures several vital parameters during sleep, including breathing patterns, oxygen levels, brain activity, heart rate, and muscle movements. It allows us to determine the type and severity of the condition and to design the most appropriate, individualized treatment plan for each patient. This integrated, technology-driven approach enables us not only to reach an accurate diagnosis, but also to significantly improve patients’ sleep quality and overall health.

Early and accurate diagnosis often changes the entire course of lung disease. How do you ensure this happens in daily practice?

At Dubai London Clinics & Hospitals, early and accurate diagnosis is the foundation of respiratory care. It starts with a thorough clinical evaluation by a pulmonology consultant, with particular attention to warning symptoms and risk factors, especially in smokers and patients with chronic respiratory conditions.

When conditions such as poorly controlled asthma or other lung diseases are suspected, we move early to request the necessary investigations, including pulmonary function tests, laboratory workups, and appropriate imaging. Our goal is always to reach a precise diagnosis in the shortest possible time.

Just as important is strict and regular follow-up. If results are concerning or symptoms do not improve as expected, we reassess the case and adjust the treatment plan without delay. This proactive strategy allows for timely intervention, better long-term outcomes, and a significant reduction in disease progression and complications, all within a care model that places the patient at the center and adheres to the highest standards of quality and safety.

Dr. Ihab Al Jizi’s approach reflects a broader transformation in respiratory medicine, from reactive, symptom-based treatment to a proactive, precision-driven, and fully integrated model of care. By combining advanced diagnostics, multidisciplinary collaboration, and continuous follow-up, Dubai London Clinics & Hospitals are not only raising the standard of chest and lung care, but also building a more sustainable, patient-centered future for respiratory health in the region, one where early diagnosis, intelligent intervention, and coordinated expertise make a tangible difference in patients’ lives.

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