Dr. Hakam Al-Balas

Core Competencies

• Diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy: upper GI endoscopy (EGD),colonoscopy, flexible sigmoidoscopy, capsule endoscopy, and deep enteroscopy
• Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG) placement
• Advanced resection techniques: endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR)endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) and Endoscopic Full-Thickness Resection(eFTRD)
• Abdominal ultrasound for gastrointestinal and liver evaluation,including biopsy and interventional procedures (e.g., liver abscess drainage)
• Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with biliarystenting and tumor biopsy
• Cholangioscopy for direct visualization of biliary pathology
• Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes(e.g., pancreatic FNB, liver biopsy, pancreatic necrosectomy)
• Management of GI bleeding via endoscopic hemostasis techniques
• Nutritional counseling and lifestyle intervention for gastrointestinalhealth
• Obesity management: intragastric balloon therapy, endoscopic sleevegastroplasty (ESG), and transoral outlet reduction (TORe)
• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), Barrett’s esophagus, andesophageal cancer screening
• Eosinophilic esophagitis and functional esophageal disorders (includingpH-metry and manometry)
• Gastritis, dyspepsia, and Helicobacter pylori infection
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), chronic constipation, chronic diarrhea,and other functional bowel disorders
• Food intolerances and allergies (e.g., lactose, gluten), celiacdisease, and malabsorption syndromes
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) – including Crohn’s disease andulcerative colitis: advanced diagnostics, therapy planning, and long-termsurveillance
• Colorectal cancer screening and post-polypectomy surveillance
• Diagnosis and management of hemorrhoidal disease
• Liver disease: fatty liver (MASLD), fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatictumors; comprehensive hepatology assessment and treatment planning
• Pancreatic enzyme deficiency and chronic pancreatitis
• Oncological screening and multidisciplinary care coordination forgastrointestinal cancers

Brief Profile:

Dr. Hakam Al-Balas is a highly experienced and board-certified Consultant Gastroenterologist with over 13 years of clinical practice, including more than 8 years of specialized training and work in gastroenterology across renowned medical institutions in Germany.

Before relocating to the UAE, Dr. Al-Balas served as Head of the Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at Helios Frankenwaldklinik in Bavaria, Germany. He has extensive expertise in diagnosing and treating a wide range of gastrointestinal and liver diseases, with proficiency in managing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), chronic liver diseases, and nutritional optimization in gastroenterology.

Dr. Al-Balas is an expert interventional endoscopist. He is proficient in advanced diagnostic and therapeutic procedures including upper and lower GI endoscopy, video capsule endoscopy, and bariatric endoscopic techniques such as intragastric balloon placement, endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG), and transoral outlet reduction (TORe).

He completed his residency and fellowship in internal medicine and gastroenterology at St. Josefs Hospital in Dortmund, a teaching hospital affiliated with the University of Münster. He later worked as a Consultant at Wilhelm-Anton Hospital in Goch, a teaching affiliate of the University of Düsseldorf, where he further advanced his skills in complex procedures such as ERCP and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) with interventions, alongside mentoring medical students and residents.

Throughout his career, Dr. Al-Balas has consistently shown a deep commitment to clinical excellence, pioneering advancements in endoscopic techniques, fostering multidisciplinary collaboration, and compassionate patient and family centered care.

Qualification:

• MBBS, Jordan University of Science and Technology, 2011
• Emergency Medicine, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, 2014
• German License and Board Certification in Internal Medicine andGastroenterology, Germany, 2020
• Certified by the German Society for Gastroenterology (DGVS) inHepatology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)