Dr. Haider Abbas Al-Qaisi

Dr. Haider Abbas Al-Qaisi is a dermatologist at Medical City Hospital in Baghdad — Iraq's largest academic medical complex and the principal tertiary care referral centre for the country. With 14 years of specialist practice, he manages the full range of dermatological conditions in the Iraqi population, from endemic tropical skin diseases through to cosmetic dermatology and skin cancer screening.

Iraq carries a significant burden of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), a parasitic disease spread by sandfly bites that produces chronic non-healing skin ulcers. Baghdad and surrounding provinces have seen significant leishmaniasis transmission, and Dr. Al-Qaisi's clinical experience in CL diagnosis (by smear, culture, or molecular testing) and management with intralesional antimoniate or systemic therapy is particularly relevant.

He obtained his FICMS (Fellowship of the Iraqi Commission for Medical Specializations) — the highest postgraduate specialist qualification in Iraq — and has participated in Arab League of Dermatology educational programmes. He consults in Arabic and English.

Dr. Al-Qaisi completed his MBChB at the University of Baghdad Faculty of Medicine and his dermatology residency at Medical City Hospital, obtaining the FICMS (Fellowship of the Iraqi Commission for Medical Specializations) in Dermatology — the highest postgraduate specialty qualification in Iraq. He has participated in Arab League of Dermatology annual scientific meetings, dermatoscopy training workshops, and laser dermatology courses. He has undertaken observership training in cosmetic dermatology at centres in Jordan and Turkey. His FICMS, awarded by the Iraqi Commission for Medical Specializations, represents the gold standard of postgraduate specialist certification in Iraq and requires demonstrated competence across the full breadth of dermatological practice.

Dr. Al-Qaisi's dermatological practice covers the breadth of medical and procedural dermatology. In tropical and infectious dermatology, he diagnoses and manages cutaneous leishmaniasis using dermoscopy, slit-skin smear, and tissue sampling, treating with intralesional sodium stibogluconate or miltefosine for widespread lesions. He manages fungal infections, scabies, and cutaneous bacterial infections common in Iraq's post-conflict environment.

For common chronic dermatoses, he manages psoriasis with topical and systemic therapies including biologics for severe cases, eczema and contact dermatitis, vitiligo with topical and narrowband UVB phototherapy where available, and acne with topical and oral regimens. Procedurally, he performs skin biopsy, cryotherapy, chemical peels, dermoscopy for pigmented lesion assessment, and laser therapy.

Medical City Hospital receives patients from across Iraq, including internally displaced persons and referrals from conflict-affected provinces with limited local dermatological services. It also serves Iraqi diaspora communities visiting from Jordan, the Gulf states, Europe, and the United States. Dr. Al-Qaisi consults in Arabic and has working knowledge of English. Video consultations are available for initial dermatological assessment and second opinions, with patients submitting clinical photographs and history remotely before deciding whether to travel to Baghdad. For Iraqi diaspora patients planning visits home, pre-arrival video consultation allows preliminary assessment and treatment planning to be completed in advance. He also provides written referral letters and clinical summaries in Arabic and English for patients requiring specialist care in Jordan or Turkey.

Dr. Al-Qaisi holds the FICMS (Fellowship of the Iraqi Commission for Medical Specializations) in Dermatology and is a member of the Iraqi Dermatology Society and the Arab League of Dermatology. He has presented clinical data on cutaneous leishmaniasis management at Iraqi and Arab dermatology conferences, contributing to the evidence base for managing this endemic condition. He contributes to dermatology training for medical students and residents at the University of Baghdad. He was commended by Medical City Hospital for his clinical excellence in managing cutaneous leishmaniasis during an outbreak period in Baghdad's displaced population.