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Gulf Diabetic Foot Working Group

Empowering Health Professionals and Communities in the Fight Against Diabetic Foot Complications

 

About Us

About Us

Regional Leaders in Foot Health

The Gulf Diabetic Foot Working Group (GDFWG) is a non-profit, independent group of clinicians and researchers from the GCC (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman), committed to improving diabetic foot care across the region.

Founded in 2012 and officially launched in 2013, GDFWG serves as a regional hub for scientific collaboration, clinical education, and community engagement. Through conferences, training courses, and regional partnerships, the group advances evidence-based strategies to prevent and manage diabetic foot complications.

Impact in Numbers

Over a Decade of Empowering Healthcare Professionals Across the Gulf to Prevent and Manage Diabetic Foot Complications Through Science, Training, and Collaboration.

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International conferences & course

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Medical Professionals Trained

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GCC Countries Represented

Why Choose GDFWG

Trusted by Experts Across the Gulf

Since 2012, GDFWG has united top healthcare professionals from six GCC countries to tackle diabetic foot complications with science, training, and innovation.

Non-Profit, Mission-Led

Non-Profit, Mission-Led

100% focused on patient outcomes, not commercial gain.

Evidence-Based Practice

Evidence-Based Practice

All initiatives are grounded in current research and global clinical standards.

Education-Driven Impact

Education-Driven Impact

Hundreds of professionals trained through conferences and certified courses.

Our Members

Meet the Leaders Behind GDFWG’s Mission

Our team is composed of experienced diabetologists, vascular surgeons, podiatrists, wound care specialists, and researchers from across the GCC. Together, they shape the scientific direction of our programs and ensure the highest standards of care and education.

Dr. Talal Khader Talal

CO Founder ,GDFWG President

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Mrs. Aisha Saif Al Mahrizi

CO Founder ,GDFWG Vice President

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Dr. Saud M. Al Harthi

GDFWG CO Founder

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Dr Nashat Ali Ghandoura

GDFWG CO Founder

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Dr. Muneera Ben-Nakhi

GDFWG Executive Member

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Mrs. Samira Jumah Abdulla

GDFWG Executive Member

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Dr. Noor Janahi

GDFWG Executive Member

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Dr.Maram Taha ALKhatieb

GDFWG Executive Member

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Dr. KHALIFA AL-WAHAIBI

GDFWG Executive Member

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Dr. Fatima Khajah

GDFWG Executive Member

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Upcoming Events

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Bahrain Diabetes Conference & Global Diabetic Foot Course

2025/11/12

Blue Hotel

UPCOMING
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Bahrain Diabetes Conference & Global Diabetic Foot Course

2025/11/12

Blue Hotel

UPCOMING

Advancing Care Through Research

Our Publications

Access our latest publications in the Middle East Diabetic Foot Journal and global collaborations.

Testimonials

What faculties & Attendees say about us

Shabib Said Al Kalbani Ministry of Health, Oman

The GDFWG has been instrumental in delivering scientific evidence-based information in management of diabetic foot, plus it has incorporated other health care professionals, making this management a multidisciplinary approach rather than one-sided

Dr (Prof) Amit Jain Founding Father of Modern & Super-Modern Diabetic Foot Surgery

The gulf diabetic foot conferences and courses are undoubtedly state of art events conducted by the gulf diabetic foot working group, setting a benchmark. Right from the quality of it’s speakers to its content and event organisation , the gulf Diabetic foot group has always maintained its high standards.

Mr. Kartik Hariharan Aneurin Bevan University Health Board

I am truly privileged to work with such an amazing group of clinicians who work with no personal material gain except to teach, learn and create knowledge about diabetic feet. As we enter the arena of creating diabetic algorithms and guidelines for the population of the Middle East region, I am awestruck by the zeal and steadfastness of the amazing GDFWG group and consider myself truly blessed to be part of it! Long live GDFWG!

Maram Saad

It was a great privilege and a tremendous pleasure to be part of the local organizing committee of the 7th GDFC 2024. The conference was a unique symposium that gathered over 300 medical professionals with its multidisciplinary talks and workshops in hope to prevent, diagnose and treat lower extremities diseases in diabetic patients. I was honored to have such an opportunity and to meet a variety of brilliant specialists in this very successful meeting. Wishing to meet again in the near future and upcoming conferences.

We are dedicated to improving diabetic foot care in the Gulf region by empowering healthcare professionals with the knowledge, skills, and support they need to make a difference in their communities.

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Dr. Talal Khader Talal

CO Founder ,GDFWG President

Dr. Talal Khader Talal is a Podiatric Consultant and Head of Podiatry at Hamad Medical Corporation, specializing in comprehensive foot and ankle surgery and reconstruction. Dr Talal is a diplomate of the American Board of Multiple Specialties in Podiatry. He is certified in the Prevention and Treatment of Diabetic Foot Wounds, Limb Preservation and Salvage, Diabetic Footwear and Charcot Reconstruction, and Board Certified in Minimal Invasive Foot and Ankle Surgery. Dr Talal is an Executive Member of the Gulf Diabetic Foot Working Group. He has presented at many international and regional conferences and courses and is also active in the research field. Qatar Foundation Annual Research Conference 2018 Best Innovation Award.

Mrs. Aisha Saif Al Mahrizi

CO Founder ,GDFWG Vice President

Mrs. Aisha Al Mahrizi is a leading Diabetic Foot and Wound Care Specialist with over 20 years of clinical and educational experience in the management of diabetic foot complications and chronic wounds. She began her nursing career after graduating in 1997, and has since specialized in wound care, completing the International Interprofessional Wound Care Course (IIWCC) from the University of Toronto in 2009, and earning her MSc in Skin Integrity Skills and Management from the University of Hertfordshire in 2014.

She is an active member of the Oman Diabetic Foot Committee, Vice President of the Gulf Diabetic Foot Working Group (GDFWG), and the Sultanate of Oman’s representative in the International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot (IWGDF). Mrs. Al Mahrizi has served as a speaker and organizer in numerous national and international conferences, including the Gulf Diabetic Foot Conference and Global Diabetic Foot Courses.

Dr. Saud M. Al Harthi

GDFWG CO Founder

Dr. Al Harthi graduated from College of Medicine (Sultan Qaboos University) in 1998. He underwent training in internal medicine and was awarded membership of the royal college of physician (MRCP) in 2003. He joined the department of endocrine and metabolism at royal hospital in 2004. Following that, he underwent higher specialty training in adult endocrinology and metabolism at King Faisal Specialty Hospital and Research Center Riyadh, KSA from 1/1/2007 to 31/12/2008 and he was awarded the Advanced Training Certificate in Adult Endocrinology and Metabolism.
After his return to Oman in 2009, he joined department of medicine at al Nahdha/Khaula hospitals, taking care of patients with general medical and endocrine problems, and diabetes. He is also running diabetic/Endocrine clinics in Muscat region. He was the head of department of internal medicine from April 2014 till 2018.

Dr Nashat Ali Ghandoura

GDFWG CO Founder

Establish 1St Diabetic Foot Unit in Ministry of Health- KSA

Speaker & Attendance in National & International Diabetic Foot Conference

Founder&Member in Gulf Diabetic Foot Working Group

Member in  European Wound Management Association (EWMA)

Dr. Muneera Eissa Ben-Nakhi

GDFWG Executive Member

Dr. Muneera Eissa Ben-Nakhi is a highly accomplished Consultant Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon and the Head of the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Unit at Al-Adan Hospital in Kuwait. With a medical career spanning over two decades, she is recognized as a pioneer in the field of reconstructive microsurgery and super-microsurgery in the Gulf region.

Dr. Ben-Nakhi established the plastic surgery unit at Al-Adan Hospital from the ground up, serving a population of over two million people—nearly half of Kuwait’s population—and managing the country’s highest trauma caseload. She completed advanced surgical fellowships at Asan Medical Center and the University of Ulsan in South Korea, and holds the prestigious title of Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS).

Mrs. Samira Jumah Abdulla

GDFWG Executive Member

Ms. Samira Jumah Abdulla is the first Qatari Director of Nursing in the Department of Surgery, Podiatry Section at Hamad Medical Corporation. She holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing science and in 2016 she completed the International Inter-Professional Wound Care Course from the University of Toronto. Ms. Samira has also completed her master’s degree in University of Hertfordshire in 2017, with a focus on skin integrity skills and management 

Dr. Noor Janahi

GDFWG Executive Member

Noor Janahi is a Consultant Podiatrist practicing Podiatry in the Kingdom of Bahrain. She is the first Bahraini to achieve this degree and the first Bahraini to practice the profession of Podiatry in the country. Obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Podiatric Medicine from Edinburgh in 2005, followed by Masters in Podiatric Surgery and Doctorate in Diabetic Foot disease from Edinburgh in 2014. Noor's work experience included practical rotations in different hospitals within the United Kingdom as well as working full time as a Senior Podiatrist in Bahrain. She has worked individually to develop the profession of Podiatry in her country, and established the first Podiatry clinic (public and private) in Bahrain. Noor has been focusing on expanding the services of Podiatry to the Middle East region starting from Bahrain and the United Arabs Emirates, in order to provide the best treatments for the Podiatry patients and to further promote and advance the profession within the Middle East.

Dr.Maram Taha ALKhatieb

GDFWG Executive Member

Associate Professor in General Surgery at King Abdulaziz University , Jeddah , KSA - General Surgery and Diabetic foot Consultant at King Abdulaziz University Hospital - Diabetic foot fellowship from Complutense University , Madrid , Spain 2017 - European Fellowship in Wound Healing 2022
Administrative positions:

  • Internship supervisor 2018-2020
  • Director of HHC (Home Health care) department at KAUH 2020 -2022
  • Director of outpatient department (Clinics) at KAUH 2022-2024
  • Deputy Medical Director at KAUH from 2021-2024
  • Team leader in several national and international accreditation surveys 2020-2024
  • Team leader in the transformation phase of the hospital electronic information system (HIS) 2022
  • Deputy director of Breast Cancer Center of Excellence 2024
  • Member of GDFC 2025

Dr. KHALIFA AL-WAHAIBI

GDFWG Executive Member

Senior Consultant – General and Vascular Surgery, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital. Head – Vascular Surgery Unit, Department of Surgery, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital.  Trainer – General Surgery Training Program – Oman Medical Specialty Board Course Director – Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS), American Board of Surgery – Oman Chapter Director General - Sultan Qaboos University Hospital: 6th April 2016 – 27th April 2022. Assistant HoD Department of Surgery 2013 – 5th April 2016 Hospital Board Member – Sultan Qaboos University Hospital. 2008-2012 Member and establishing group for Oman Vascular Society. President of Gulf Vascular Society (March 2013 – March 2015). Treasurer of Oman Medical Association (April 2010 – May 2013). Founder and First elected president of Oman Surgical Society (2009 – 2012), currently a member. Member of Oman Society for Lipids and Atherosclerosis. Board member - Gulf Diabetic Foot Working Group Chairman of Surgical Team - Accreditation Canada International, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital.

Dr. Fatima Khajah

GDFWG Executive Member

Dedicated surgeon focused on diabetic foot surgery and care. Highly motivated to gain knowledge and build up experience that would allow valuable contributions to Kuwait’s diabetic foot care. Eager to get exposed to the latest techniques in the field to enable their introduction in Kuwait. My fellowship training at your program will be a monumental step towards achieving the best possible treatment for each and every patient.