Baby Alyazia was born extremely premature and required prolonged medical support, including assistance with breathing and feeding. When she arrived at SEHA’s Salma Rehabilitation Hospital, she faced respiratory and feeding challenges, alongside delays in key developmental skills.
Through a multidisciplinary rehabilitation plan involving paediatrics, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, and recreational support, Alyazia began making gradual progress in breathing, feeding, movement, and interaction with her surroundings.
Over months of rehabilitation, Alyazia moved from respiratory support and tube feeding to breathing independently, feeding orally, and showing clear improvement in motor and communication skills appropriate to her developmental stage.
Dr Ali Rishwan Ali Zalat, Specialist in Paediatrics at SEHA’s Salma Rehabilitation Hospital, said:
“Alyazia arrived as a fragile premature baby who needed support with breathing and feeding. Today, she is breathing independently, feeding orally, and growing more steadily. Her journey reflects the importance of early intervention and coordinated rehabilitation for children facing complex medical challenges.”
Rosanna Pelayo, Physiotherapist at SEHA’s Salma Rehabilitation Hospital, said: “Early hysiotherapy included play-based therapy focused on supporting Alyazia’s gross and fine motor development in line with her corrected age, while also improving postural stability and general movement responses. These interventions supported her gradual functional progress.”
This story highlights how early, integrated rehabilitation can help children with medically complex beginnings achieve better growth and a safer return home. It also reflects the role of SEHA’s Salma Rehabilitation Hospital in providing compassionate, specialised care for children and families.
