King Faisal Specialist Hospital, Riyadh – United Arab Emirates
About Dr. Zakaria Habib, MD
Dr. Zakaria Habib, MD (Zakaria Sobhy Habib) is a senior Consultant Pediatric Surgeon in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with 35+ years of clinical experience and a distinguished record of paediatric surgical leadership and humanitarian medical missions. As one of the most experienced pediatric surgeons in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, he is McMaster University-trained, has served as Director of Pediatric Surgery and Chairman of departmental morbidity and mortality, and leads the Albalsam International humanitarian surgical missions.Senior Consultant Pediatric Surgeon with 35+ years of clinical experienceMD — King Saud University (1989); MSc in Pediatric Surgery — McMaster University, Canada (2004)Consultant Pediatric Surgeon since 2002; former Director of Pediatric Surgery (2002–2005)Chairman, Departmental Morbidity and Mortality Committee since 2004Lead Specialist for Albalsam International humanitarian paediatric surgery missionsQualifications & Credentials
Medical Degrees
- MD (Doctor of Medicine) — King Saud University, Riyadh, 1989
- MSc in Pediatric Surgery — McMaster University, Ontario, Canada, 2004
Fellowships & Special Training
- Pediatric Surgery Fellowship — King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center (1997–2007)
- Training in Laparoscopic Pediatric Surgery
Certifications & Accreditations
- Saudi Commission for Health Specialties Registration
- Saudi Pediatric Association — Member
Areas of Expertise
Major Conditions Treated
- Neonatal Surgical Conditions
- Paediatric Solid Tumours
- Pediatric Adrenal Tumours
- Persistent Hyperinsulinemic Hypoglycemia of Infancy (PHHI)
- Hirschsprung's Disease
- Esophageal Atresia & TEF
- Pediatric Foreign Body Ingestion / Trauma
- Pediatric Surgical Oncology
Sub-specialties
- Paediatric Surgical Oncology: Surgical resection of paediatric solid tumours and rare malignancies — one of the most experienced pediatric surgeons in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
- Neonatal Surgery: Complex neonatal and infant surgical care including hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia and esophageal atresia.
- Laparoscopic Pediatric Surgery: Pioneer of laparoscopic pediatric adrenalectomy and minimally invasive paediatric surgery.
Advanced Procedures & Treatments
- Laparoscopic Pediatric Adrenalectomy
- Pancreatectomy for PHHI
- Pediatric Tumour Resection
- Esophageal Atresia / TEF Repair
- Pediatric Foreign Body Removal
- Pediatric Laparoscopic & Thoracoscopic Surgery
Professional Experience
Current Affiliation
- Consultant, Pediatric Surgery — King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre (KFSHRC), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (Since 2002)
Past Affiliations
- King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre (KFSHRC), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — Resident General Surgeon, 1990–1996
- King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre (KFSHRC), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — Pediatric Surgery Fellow, 1997–2007
- King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre (KFSHRC), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — Associate Consultant Pediatric Surgeon, 2001–2002
- Albalsam International — Lead Surgical Specialist (Humanitarian Missions, Tanzania and others)
Academic & Research Roles
- Director of Pediatric Surgery — King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre (KFSHRC), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (2002–2005)
- Chairman — Departmental Morbidity and Mortality Committee (2004–Present)
- Lead Specialist — Albalsam International Humanitarian Surgical Missions
Key Achievements
- 35+ years of clinical experience in surgery and paediatric surgery
- Lead Specialist — Albalsam International humanitarian paediatric surgery missions to Tanzania (2018–2019)
- Pioneer of laparoscopic paediatric adrenalectomy in Saudi Arabia
- Multiple peer-reviewed publications across paediatric surgery and surgical oncology
Awards & Recognitions
National & International Awards
- Recognised by Arab News for leadership of Albalsam International humanitarian paediatric surgery missions
Professional Memberships
- Saudi Pediatric Surgery Association
- Saudi Surgical Society
- American Pediatric Surgical Association (Affiliation)
- International Pediatric Endosurgery Group (Affiliation)
Research & Publications
Published Papers (Selected)
- Habib Z, et al. Laparoscopic adrenalectomy in the pediatric age group: A retrospective analysis (KFSHRC, June 1997 – March 2003).
- Isbister WH, Murad M, Habib Z. Rectal cancer in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: the King Faisal Specialist Hospital experience. Aust NZ J Surg. 2000;70:269–274.
- Habib Z et al. Foreign body ingestion in pediatric patients: clinical presentations and outcomes.
- Habib Z et al. Management of Aspergillus pleural empyema with combined systemic and intrapleural antifungal therapy in a pediatric patient: case report.
- Habib Z et al. Persistent hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia of infancy (PHHI): surgical experience.
- Habib Z et al. Sewing-needle abdominal foreign body in a child: case report on child abuse presentation.
Ongoing Research & Clinical Interests
- Pediatric surgical oncology and rare paediatric malignancies
- Persistent hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia of infancy (PHHI)
- Pediatric foreign body ingestion outcomes
- Humanitarian paediatric surgery
Estimated Treatment Costs
| Procedure / Consultation | Estimated Cost (INR) | Estimated Cost (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Pediatric Surgery Consultation | ₹1,500 – ₹3,500 | $18 – $42 |
| Pediatric Inguinal Hernia Repair | ₹50,000 – ₹1,50,000 | $600 – $1,800 |
| Pediatric Appendicectomy | ₹60,000 – ₹1,80,000 | $720 – $2,160 |
| Pediatric Pyloromyotomy | ₹80,000 – ₹2,00,000 | $960 – $2,400 |
| Pediatric Laparoscopic Surgery (Major) | ₹1,50,000 – ₹4,00,000 | $1,800 – $4,800 |
| Pediatric Surgical Oncology Procedure | ₹2,50,000 – ₹6,00,000 | $3,000 – $7,200 |
*Indicative estimates only. Actual costs subject to hospital pricing, case complexity, and insurance. Contact Cancer Rounds for a personalised quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What advanced technologies does Dr. Zakaria Habib, MD use in Pediatric Surgery treatment?
Dr. Zakaria Habib performs advanced paediatric surgery including laparoscopic paediatric adrenalectomy, pancreatectomy for PHHI, paediatric surgical oncology, esophageal atresia repair, and minimally invasive paediatric surgery. Virtual consultations and remote second opinions are available to international families.
2. What conditions does Dr. Zakaria Habib, MD specialize in treating?
Dr. Zakaria Habib specialises in neonatal surgical conditions, paediatric solid tumours, paediatric adrenal tumours, persistent hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia of infancy, Hirschsprung's disease, esophageal atresia, paediatric trauma, and paediatric surgical oncology in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
3. How do I book an appointment with Dr. Zakaria Habib, MD?
Appointments with Dr. Zakaria Habib, MD can be booked directly through the Cancer Rounds website or by contacting their international patient department for priority scheduling.
4. Can international patients receive treatment from Dr. Zakaria Habib, MD?
Yes. Cancer Rounds provides full assistance for international patients seeking treatment from Dr. Zakaria Habib, MD, including medical visa invitation letters, airport transfers, and local accommodation coordination.
5. What support is available for international patients?
International patients benefit from a dedicated concierge service provided by Cancer Rounds, including language interpretation, financial counseling, and pre-travel virtual consultations to review medical records before arrival.
6. Does Dr. Zakaria Habib, MD offer second opinions for pediatric surgery cases?
Yes. Second opinion consultations can be arranged via Cancer Rounds for paediatric families who wish to review their child's diagnosis or surgical plan with an expert pediatric surgery specialist in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
