In this sizzling issue, Grazia’s International Beauty Editor Kaniz Ali interviews DR ZUBAIR CAJEE THE HEALING ALCHEMIST Inside the World of Dr Zubair Cajee, the GP Reimagining Modern Wellness in Dubai
He speaks in calm, measured tones. There’s an undeniable steadiness to his presence. Dr Zubair Cajee isn’t just a doctor. He’s the kind of doctor who listens a little longer, thinks a little deeper and dares to look at healing through a broader, more intuitive lens.
From Johannesburg’s storied “City of Gold” to the gleaming towers of Dubai, his story is one of personal conviction and professional evolution. Now, as the founder of one of the region’s most forward-thinking regenerative clinics, Dr Cajee is redefining what modern medicine can look and feel like—rooted in science, elevated by soul.
Kaniz: Tell us more about your background:
Dr Zubair: I was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, which was once affectionately called the City of Gold. In 2005, I moved to the UAE for my undergraduate studies in medicine. I then spent two and a half years in Mumbai completing my clinical rotations, and graduated in 2011.
After returning to South Africa, I completed my internship at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, followed by community service at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital. I then joined my father’s private medical practice. In January 2020, my family and I made
the decision to move to Dubai. Although I was thriving professionally in Johannesburg, safety concerns prompted us to consider a new chapter. We arrived on a three-month tourist visa with no guarantees—just faith. Thankfully, everything aligned from there.
Kaniz: What inspired you to become a GP?
Dr Zubair: My father has always been my greatest inspiration. Watching him build his own group of clinics over the course of his career made a deep impact on me. I’ve always admired him—not just for his medical skill but for the way he cared for his patients. Becoming a doctor and continuing his legacy was a natural choice.
Kaniz: What do you specialize in?
Dr Zubair: My practice focuses on alternative, preventative, and therapeutic treatments—now recognized under the umbrella of regenerative and longevity medicine. It’s a highly individualized approach that moves beyond conventional care and looks at how to restore, rejuvenate and sustain long-term health.
Kaniz: What would you say are your greatest strengths as a doctor?
Dr Zubair: My career has given me the opportunity to work in some of the most respected hospitals in South Africa, which gave me a strong clinical foundation. I also continue to draw on my father’s 45 years of experience, which has been invaluable. But above all, I take time with my patients. I believe in truly listening, building trust, and crafting a path toward healing that’s tailored to each person. My consultations are intentionally thorough, and that time and care often lead to better outcomes.
Kaniz: Tell us about the services and treatments your clinic offers:
Dr Zubair: We provide a wide range of integrative and advanced treatments that support healing, optimize health and promote longevity. These include:
• IV Drip Therapy
This treatment replenishes essential vitamins, minerals, trace elements, coenzymes, amino acids and antioxidants directly into the bloodstream. It was first popularised in the 1960s by Dr John Myers, a pioneering physician who developed the original nutrient infusion protocols.
• Ozone Major Autohemotherapy
Commonly referred to as the “Ozone Ten Pass,” this therapy involves delivering medical-grade ozone into the bloodstream. Developed by Austrian physician Dr Johann Lahodny, it functions similarly to a mini dialysis. Once an intravenous line is secured, the machine draws approximately 200ml of blood, infuses it with ozone gas, and returns it to the circulation. This process is repeated ten times, resulting
in two liters of ozonated blood being circulated and filtered.
• Peptide Therapy
The human body produces over 7,000 peptides, with collagen being one of the most well-known. Peptides are short chains of amino acids that are highly specific in action and receptor targeting. This therapy can support anti-ageing, reduce inflammation, accelerate wound healing, improve sleep, enhance libido, build muscle, promote fat loss and boost immunity. Peptides are widely considered the future frontier of medicine.
• Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)
This non-invasive treatment involves sitting or lying in a pressurized chamber while breathing oxygen at up to four times the normal atmospheric concentration. Sessions typically last an hour or more. The benefits include improved breathing, reduced stress, better sleep, enhanced physical performance and recovery, wound healing, improved cognition, hair growth, and the activation of natural stem cells, contributing to anti-ageing effects.
• Advanced Laboratory Diagnostic Testing
We offer a variety of cutting-edge diagnostic tools to personalize and monitor treatment strategies:
o Telomere Length Testing: Assesses cellular ageing and can be repeated every six months to track biological improvements.
o Genomic DNA Testing: Evaluates lifetime risk for a wide range of health conditions. This is typically done once in a lifetime.
o DNA Cancer Risk Assessment: Screens for 50 genes associated with an increased risk of cancer. Like genomic testing, it only needs to be performed once.
• Microbiome Testing
This analysis evaluates gut flora and is essential for identifying imbalances such as intestinal dysbiosis, which may be linked to a variety of health issues.
• Food Intolerance Testing
We test for sensitivities to 228 different foods. Reactions to these foods can manifest as a wide range of clinical symptoms, often overlooked in conventional care.
• Heavy Metal Testing
We assess the presence of heavy metals in the body using both blood and hair samples, helping to detect and address hidden toxicities.
Kaniz: What motivates you?
Dr Zubair: Healing is my passion. There’s something deeply fulfilling about seeing patients progress, step by step. I’m also inspired by the people I work with-my department team and the entire clinic staff. We’ve built a space that operates smoothly and feels good to be in.
Kaniz: What do you enjoy most about being a doctor?
Dr Zubair: It’s the patient journey—seeing lives improve, gradually and meaningfully. Being part of that transformation is incredibly rewarding.
Kaniz: Where do you see yourself in five years?
Dr Zubair: We currently have our head office in Dubai and two clinics in Mauritius. In five years, I’d love to see us expand across the GCC region. The demand for integrated, preventative healthcare is growing, and we’re ready to meet it.
Kaniz: How do you balance home life and work life?
Dr Zubair: It’s not easy. I work around 80 hours a week. But no matter how busy it gets, I always carve out time for my family. You have to make the energy for it.
Kaniz: What sets you apart from other doctors?
Dr Zubair: I think it’s our openness. Many practitioners stay within the confines of traditional, guideline-based medicine, which often limits innovation. We’re constantly evolving, learning and applying new philosophies that put the patient first. That flexibility allows us to offer more individualized and effective care.
Kaniz: What advice would you give someone considering a career in medicine?
Dr Zubair: If you choose this career path, the decision must come from you and
not from anyone else. It is a demanding journey that begins with years of rigorous undergraduate study, followed by an intense and often daunting internship. But in hindsight, you come to value the struggles, the discomfort and the challenges. They shape who you become, both professionally and personally. What does not break you makes you stronger, and much of my resilience was built during those early years of my medical career.
Kaniz: What do you do in your spare time to switch off?
Dr Zubair: Honestly, I don’t have much spare time. It’s a luxury I haven’t quite afforded myself yet.
Kaniz: If you could disappear for a month, where would you go?
Dr Zubair: I’d divide the time between Makkah and Madinah for spiritual grounding, then recharge in the Amalfi Coast, Bali and Bora Bora. That combination would be my dream reset.
CEO : Zahra Saifullah
Managing Editor: Nashmia Amir Butt
Creative Director: Kaniz Ali
Photography: Javed Mohammed
Location: Dubai, UAE
Interview: Kaniz Ali
Editorial Associate: Sibgha Batool
Location: Atelier Clinic, Dubai, UAE
