After living with a congenital heart condition for many years, 38-year-old Filipina Lenilyn Arsega is starting a new chapter in her life. With support from Al Jalila Foundation through the Nabadat campaign, she recently underwent surgery at Dubai Hospital to reconstruct her pulmonary valve.
Al Jalila Foundation plays a vital role in enabling Dubai Health’s vision to advance health for humanity through the integration of Care, Learning, Discovery, and Giving. In collaboration with the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Charitable Establishment, the Foundation delivers the Nabadat campaign, which provides specialized medical care for patients with congenital heart defects and chronic heart conditions.
Lenilyn was diagnosed during a routine check-up at Dubai Health’s Rashid Hospital when she was eight weeks pregnant. She was found to have a congenital heart defect involving pulmonary valve stenosis that had gone undiagnosed for years. As her condition progressed, she experienced persistent fatigue and shortness of breath, affecting her ability to carry out daily activities during pregnancy.
Further tests at Dubai Health’s Dubai Hospital showed a significant decline in blood flow from the heart to the lungs. Based on these results, the Nabadat medical team, led by Professor Zuhair Al Helis, Consultant Cardiovascular Surgeon, decided to perform surgery to reconstruct Lenilyn’s pulmonary valve and improve its function.
Professor Zuhair Al Helis said: “Lenilyn was born with pulmonary valve stenosis, but the condition went undiagnosed and untreated for many years. Over time, it progressed and began to cause symptoms such as fatigue and shortness of breath, making everyday activities increasingly difficult. By the time she came to us, the valve was no longer suitable for repair. Our team therefore performed a specialized procedure to reconstruct the pulmonary valve using Lenilyn’s own tissue from the right atrium, helping restore the valve’s function and improve blood flow from the heart to the lungs. Follow-up tests showed that the reconstruction was successful, with the valve now functioning at near-normal levels. Lenilyn has recovered well and is able to return to her daily life”.
Dr. Obaid Mohammed Al Jassim, Consultant and Head of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Dubai Hospital and Medical Director of the “Nabadat” initiative, said: “Lenilyn’s journey reflects what the Nabadat campaign is about: ensuring patients receive the care they need at every stage, from diagnosis and surgery to recovery and follow-up. We are grateful to the medical teams at Dubai Health for their dedication, and to Al Jalila Foundation and the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Charitable Establishment for their continued support of the campaign, helping us reach more patients and provide them with access to the care they need”.
Lenilyn expressed her gratitude to Al Jalila Foundation for covering the cost of her treatment through the Nabadat campaign, and to the medical team who performed her surgery, which marked a turning point in her health journey. The treatment enabled her to regain her wellbeing, return to her daily life, continue her work, and care for her family. She also extended her thanks to the team at Dubai Hospital for the care she received throughout her treatment.
