Emphasizing the importance of inculcating family values in the young generation, Dr. Thumbay Moideen – Founder President of Thumbay Group spoke about how the values acquired from his father and grandfather continue to guide him to this day. He was delivering the keynote speech at the ‘Family Get-together & Harvest Festival 2018’ organized by the St. Thomas Orthodox Cathedral, Oud Mehta, Dubai on 9^th November 2018.

Dr. Thumbay Moideen was the chief guest of the event, conducted as part of the church’s 50^th anniversary celebrations. Also present at the event were the special guest Mr. Abdullah Al Suwaidi, Rev. Fr. Ninan Philip – Vicar of the church, Metropolitan Delhi Diocese Dr. Youhanon Mar Demetrius and other important dignitaries.

Addressing the gathering including families, Dr. Thumbay Moideen recounted how the values passed on to him by his father and grandfather continues to guide him even today. “As a child, I grew up in a joint-family which had many successful businessmen. So, my role models were mostly elders from within the family who were successful, family-oriented, generous, ethical, helpful and God-fearing. I have learned a lot especially from my father who taught me to understand the worth of what we have and to stay close to our roots,” he said. He underlined the importance of instilling the right values in children, so that they achieve success in all walks of life.

The church authorities presented Dr. Thumbay Moideen with mementos, for his presence and support.

About Thumbay Group

One of the most successful NRI businessmen in the UAE, Dr. Thumbay Moideen established Dubai-based Thumbay Group in 1998, which has evolved into a global conglomerate with operations across 20 sectors of business, viz., Education, Healthcare, Medical Research, Diagnostics, Retail Pharmacy, Health Communications, Retail Optical, Wellness, Nutrition Stores, Hospitality, Real Estate, Publishing, Technology, Media, Events, Medical Tourism, Trading and Marketing & Distribution. Thumbay Group today employs close to 5000 people, projected to increase to around 20000 by the year 2022, with the completion of ongoing and upcoming projects aimed at expanding the size of its businesses over 10 times and widening its global presence, according to the group’s strategic plans.

Thumbay Hospital – Fujairah, the leading academic hospital under Thumbay Group’s Healthcare Division participated in the Annual Harvest Festival organized by St. Gregorios Indian Orthodox Church, Fujairah on 09^th November 2018, with a series of activities aimed at promoting awareness on the importance of preventive health checkup.

As part of the campaign, Thumbay Hospital – Fujairah organized a medical camp offering free dietary counseling, blood pressure check & random blood glucose check. The hospital also offered special discount on mammography for breast cancer screening, in addition to discounted delivery packages to expectant mothers. Many people availed the services offered at the event.

The event also witnessed the signing of an MoU between the hospital and the church, according to which special discounts would be available at Thumbay Hospital Fujairah, to members of the church. The MoU signing was preside by Fr. Abraham Thomas – the Vicar of the Church & President of the Church Committee and the Guest of Honor was Dr. Mohammed Faisal Parvez, Chief Operating Officer, Thumbay Hospital Fujairah.

The Management of Thumbay Hospital, Fujairah announced that the hospital has plans to conduct more health awareness activities across organizations in the Emirate. Thumbay Hospital Fujairah is a 60-bed multi-specialty hospital having JCI & SKEA accreditation.

Thumbay Hospital – Fujairah, the leading academic hospital under Thumbay Group’s Healthcare Division joined the celebrations of Indian Social Club – Fujairah, ‘Indian Cultural Festival – DIWALI 2018’ on 09^th November 2018, with the aim of promoting health awareness among the attendees and to emphasize the importance of regular checkups for early detection and cure of diseases.

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed at the event between the hospital and the club, according to which members of the club would enjoy special discounts on services availed at Thumbay Hospital Fujairah. The MoU-signing event was presiding by Dr. Putthu Rahaman – President of the Indian Social Club, Fujairah and the Guest of Honor was Dr. Mohammed Faisal Parvez – Chief Operating Officer, Thumbay Hospital Fujairah.

The Management of Thumbay Hospital, Fujairah announced that the hospital has plans to conduct more health awareness activities across various organizations in the Emirate. Thumbay Hospital Fujairah is a 60-bed multi-specialty hospital having JCI & SKEA accreditation.

Thumbay Medical & Dental Specialty Centre Sharjah conducted Oral hygiene Camp at Delhi Private School Ajman on 13^thNovember, 2018. The dentists conducted the Dental Screening of the Children. Around 194 Children got benefited with the presence for Thumbay Medical & Dental Specialty Centre Sharjah.

OMA Emirates emerge tournament champions, defeating SEWA in the final match

The inaugural edition of the ‘Thumbay Premier T20 League’ launched by the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Committee of Dubai-based international conglomerate Thumbay Group, concluded on 15^th November 2018, bringing to a close 15 exciting days of corporate cricket between 8 teams and a total of 16 matches. The tournament was conducted with the aim of encouraging community engagement among corporate, in line with the values of the ‘Year of Zayed’, and was launched under Thumbay Foundation, the charitable arm that supports the CSR activities of Thumbay Group.

Mr. Akram Moideen Thumbay – Director Operations – Construction & Renovation Division and Director – Thumbay Technologies, also the Chairman of Thumbay Group’s CSR Committee, was the chief guest of the closing ceremony held at the Ajman Oval Cricket Ground. UAE cricketer Imran Haider was a special guest.

OMA Emirates emerged the winners of the tournament, defeating the runners-up Sharjah Electricity & Water Authority (SEWA) in the strongly contested final match. Mr. Akram Moideen Thumbay presented the trophies and certificates to the winning and runners-up teams as well as to individual achievers. Speaking at the closing ceremony, Mr. Akram Moideen Thumbay said: “This tournament has achieved all its objectives. We thank the participating companies for their support. On behalf of Thumbay Group’s CSR Committee, I congratulate all of you, for all your achievements during the past fortnight of exciting cricket.”

Stressing that the primary goal of the tournament was to promote humanitarian causes, Mr. Akram added, “We are glad to announce that the proceeds from this tournament by way of registration fees will be spent exclusively on humanitarian initiatives under Thumbay Group’s CSR Committee,” amidst loud cheers and applause. Mr. Akram promised that the next edition, in 2019, would be bigger and more exciting.

This year’s participating teams included: Novo Health Care, GECO IPL, Thumbay Group, Zulekha Hospital, SEWA, Emirates NBD, AW Rostamani and OMA Emirates.

About Thumbay Group’s CSR Committee

The CSR Committee oversees the CSR activities and programs of Thumbay Group. It discusses and decides on practices relating to the company’s corporate social responsibility on a global basis, including matters related to education, health and safety, environment and community welfare. The committee has successfully carried out several CSR programs at various parts of the country, promoting causes and activities benefiting low-income groups, women, children, various professional groups etc. Free medical and health camps for the public led by Thumbay hospitals and clinics are a regular activity conducted under the committee’s guidance and supervision, benefiting thousands of people, especially blue-collar workers. The committee also facilitates scholarships and financial assistance for academically bright and financially backward students desirous of pursuing professional medical courses.

Thumbay Hospital Day Care Rolla Sharjah, the leading multispecialty day care hospital under Thumbay Group’s Healthcare Division conducted several diabetes awareness activities on the 14^th, 15^th and 16^th of November 2018. The activities, launched as part of the hospital’s World Diabetes Day program, were organized with the aim of spreading awareness on diabetes and emphasizing the importance of physical activity in safeguarding against the disease.

As part of the programs, Thumbay Hospital Day Care Rolla Sharjah participated as a medical support partner in the World Diabetes Day event at Khawla Bint Tha’laba School, Sharjah. The hospital offered free basic health check-up including free blood sugar tests to all the attendees of the event, promoting the message of diabetes awareness.

The hospital also launched a diabetes clinic to support family health across organizations in the Emirate, in line with World Diabetes Day’s official theme this year “The Family and Diabetes.”

A contest for the public by Thumbay Hospital Day Care – Rolla, Sharjah in association with Club FM 99.6 was also organized, with the winners getting glucometers and health checkup vouchers from the hospital.

Thumbay Hospital – Fujairah (JCI accredited & Winner of Sheikh Khalifa Excellence Award), the leading academic hospital under Thumbay Group’s Healthcare Division participated by offering medical support at the recent ‘Art of Living’ event held in Fujairah.

People from all over the Emirate participated in the event. The participants were addressed by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Al Fujairah, UAE. The session was conducted by Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, founder of the Art of Living Foundation (AOL) and International Association for Human Values (IAHV).

The medical support team from Thumbay Hospital, Fujairah was led by Dr. Mohammad Faisal Parvez – Chief Operating Officer, who met and greeted Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and briefed him about the hospital, as well as about Thumbay Group’s hospitals and clinics in general.

A 52-year-old Nigerian woman patient successfully underwent a complex arthroscopic knee surgical procedure at Thumbay Hospital – Ajman, following a severe road accident at her hometown in Nigeria, which had caused knee dislocation with multiple ligament injuries.

The patient had initially approached a local hospital, where her injured knee was plastered and she was referred to a higher medical center. However, considering the complexity of the injury and the need for advanced treatment, she decided to seek treatment in the UAE, and chose Thumbay Hospital – Ajman.

The patient reached Thumbay Hospital – Ajman two weeks after the accident. She was attended by Dr. Mujeeb Mahammad Shaik, Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor, Head and Consultant (HOD), Orthopedic Surgery. Her injury was extensively investigated using X-rays, MRI scans, Doppler scan etc. The doctor diagnosed her injury as a case of complete disruption of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL), Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) and Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) and partial disruption of the Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL). He decided surgery as the best course of treatment in the first stage, to repair the collateral ligaments.

The patient subsequently underwent extensive physiotherapy, and had knee brace support. Eventually, she was able to recover 0-100^◦ of her knee movements. She later underwent arthroscopic reconstruction of both ACL and PCL as the second stage of treatment, and this was 3 months after the accident. “ACL and PCL repair wasn’t technically possible in the first stage of treatment, as her knee-joint capsule had been completely disrupted,” explains Dr. Mujeeb.

Following the surgery, the patient’s knee became fully stable with preserved range of movement in the 0-90^◦ range. “She is expected to initially mobilize with knee-brace support and crutches for one month, and then, independently. She will also undergo physiotherapy during this period,” Dr. Mujeeb said.

The patient said that she had initially considered options in Europe and the UAE for treatment, before finally choosing Thumbay Hospital – Ajman. “We zeroed-in on Thumbay Hospital – Ajman impressed by its expert doctors, excellent facilities and affordability. My son who is a doctor in Nigeria helped us make the final decision,” she said.

Thumbay Hospitals are considered the pioneers of medical tourism in the UAE. All Thumbay Hospitals in the UAE as well as Thumbay Hospital – Hyderabad, India attract medical tourists from around the world. The hospitals have full-fledged medical tourism departments. Thumbay Medical Tourism (TMT) is Thumbay Group’s award-winning medical tourism initiative focuses on marketing world-class healthcare services to international patients through innovative methods. Thumbay Hospital is also a proud partner in the Dubai Health Experience (DXH), the prestige brand conceived by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) to strengthen the position of Dubai on the world map of medical tourism. TMT has established representative offices in 87 countries, giving further fillip to Thumbay Hospitals’ medical tourism ambitions.

Thumbay Hospital – Fujairah, the leading academic hospitals under Thumbay Group’s Healthcare Division, recently conducted the second annual meeting of its ‘Well-wishers Forum’, a body of stakeholders’ from various industries and business segments supporting the hospital’s constant pursuit of excellence in high standards of healthcare delivery and patient satisfaction.

The well-wishers’ meet served as a get-together of leaders from the business sector, academic institutions, religious and cultural organizations, local and regional bodies, etc., providing the hospital management with valuable feedback on the ways to continuously improve the standards of service delivery and patient convenience.

Commenting on the annual meeting of the Wellwishers Forum Mr. Akbar Moideen Thumbay, Vice President of the Healthcare Division of Thumbay Group said, “This is part of our comprehensive & holistic approach to ensure that we not only provide more and improved access to our healthcare services, but also maintain the highest standards of quality, patient safety and integrity. The feedbacks and recommendations from various stakeholder groups also help us to identify the trends in healthcare delivery”.

Around 25 well-wishers attended the event and shared their suggestions on the ways to further improve the hospital’s quality of service and its outreach in the community. Addressing them, Dr. Mohammad Faisal Parvez, Chief Operating Officer of Thumbay Hospital Fujairah said that the stakeholders’ meeting emphasized the importance of constantly engaging with external stakeholders and healthcare professionals. “Thumbay Hospital Fujairah always endeavors to promote service excellence and stakeholder happiness,” he added.

Dr. Osama Rizk, Medical Director, Thumbay Hospital Fujairah thanked the well-wishers for their active participation. The event was also attended by the internal clinical and non-clinical HOD’s who made a note of suggestions pertaining to their respective departments.  The meeting was followed by planting of saplings by the participants in the premises of Thumbay Hospital Fujairah, as a part of the ‘Go-Green’ initiative launched by the Hospital.

About Thumbay Hospital fujairah

Thumbay Hospital – Fujairah is a 60-bed JCI-accredited academic hospital and winner of Sheikh Khalifa Excellence Award. The ‘Well-wishers Forum’ is a unique initiative by the hospital, in line with the values of ‘Year of Zayed 2018’ which brings together leaders from various business sectors, academic institutions, religious & cultural organizations. The recommendations made by the forum are evaluated and implemented by the hospital management.

Thumbay Hospital – Fujairah, the leading academic hospitals under Thumbay Group’s Healthcare Division conducted a diabetes awareness event on 19^th November 2018, to mark World Diabetes Day.

The awareness programs included a health talk by Dr. C. R. Sathyanarayanan – Specialist – Internal Medicine & Head of the Department, Thumbay Hospital Fujairah. Further, free diabetes screening was offered to attendees and visitors, in addition to free consultations with the physician, physiotherapist, dietician and nursing educators.

Also part of the event was the launch of a Diabetic Health Clinic at the hospital, aimed at offering multidisciplinary care for the patients, including counseling by Ophthalmologists, Surgeons, Physiotherapist & Dietician. The clinic will operate within the hospital once a week (mostly on Tuesdays, from 9am to 11am). The hospital also plans to offer various cost effective diabetes treatment packages patients.

Gulf Medical University participated in “Discover Global Education 2018” a career oriented educational fair organized by Asianet Satellite Communication Channel for the first time in the United Arab Emirates.

More than 20 national and international universities showcased their various educational programs which was scheduled on 23rd and 24th November 2018 at Chamber of Commerce, Sharjah.

Students from various schools across UAE walked in to the event in big volume with their parents to understand better career opportunities worldwide. An interactive session was conducted with Mr. T. P. Sreenivasan (former Indian diplomat to USA and Head of the Council for Higher Education, Kerala, India) Gulf Medical University received special appreciation and award of participation certificate from Amit Gupta, Managing Director and Group CEO, Asianet News Media & Entertainment Pvt Ltd.

Thumbay Medicity  had  the  pleasure  of  hosting  Mrs.  Jayamala  Ramachandran,  Minister for Women  and  Child  Development  and  Empowerment  of  Differently  Abled  &  Senior  Citizens, Government  of  Karnataka,  India,  on  24th  November  2018.  The  minister  was  greeted  at Thumbay Medicity by Dr. Thumbay Moideen – Founder President of Thumbay Group.

Mrs.   Jayamala   Ramachandran   toured   the   advanced   healthcare   and   medical   education facilities  at  Thumbay  Medicity  including  Gulf  Medical  University,  Thumbay  Dental  Hospital, Thumbay Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Hospital etc.

Touring the hospitals and the university, the minister commended Thumbay Medicity for the excellent  facilities  for  healthcare  and  medical  education,  as  she  observed  the  various services at Thumbay Dental Hospital – the first private dental hospital in the country and the largest  academic  dental  hospital  in  the  Middle  East  region’s  private  sector,  as  well  as Thumbay  Physical  Therapy  and  Rehabilitation  Hospital  –  the  biggest  and  most  advanced hospital for physical therapy and rehabilitation. The vision, mission and future directions of Thumbay Group and Gulf Medical University – the region’s leading private medical university, as  well  as  the  University’s  advanced  training  and  teaching  facilities  were  also  presented before the guest. She appreciated Thumbay Group’s efforts in bringing the latest technology and innovation in healthcare and medical education to the region.

Dr.  Thumbay  Moideen  said  that  Thumbay  Medicity  is  envisioned  as  the  healthcare  and medical education hub of the region, to serve a floating population of 20,000 on completion. “The  soon-to-open  500-bed  academic  hospital  –  Thumbay  University  Hospital  –  the  largest private   academic   hospital   in   the   region,   combined   with   the   dental   and   rehabilitation hospitals  make  Thumbay  Medicity  a  unique  destination  for  specialized  care.  Thumbay Medicity is also a referral facility to which primary and secondary care hospitals and clinics refer serious cases,” he explained. Thumbay Medicity also houses Body & Soul Health Club and Spa, The Terrace Restaurant, Blends & Brews Coffee Shoppe, Thumbay Pharmacy etc. The  specialized  hospitals  of  Thumbay  Medicity  are  Academic  Health  Centers  of  the  Gulf Medical   University   Academic   Health   System   (GMUAHS),   which   give   them   the   unique advantage  of  having  the  expertise  of  doctors  who  are  also  academicians  and  researchers. GMUAHS has the distinction of being the first private academic health system in the region.

Thumbay  Medicity  is  an  important  landmark  in  Thumbay  Group’s  transformation  into  a leading healthcare provider in the region. “We are pursuing a massive global expansion plan at the moment, according to which the Thumbay academic hospital network will have a total of 1000 beds in the UAE, 1500 beds in India and 750 beds elsewhere in the Gulf and Africa by 2022,” said Dr. Thumbay Moideen.

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Humaid Bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Member of the Supreme Council, UAE and Ruler of Ajman, Gulf Medical University (GMU) honored the achievements of 177 graduates at the 15^th Convocation Ceremony held on Monday, 26^th November 2018, at the Emirates Hospitality Centre, Al Jurf, Ajman.

Congratulating the graduates on their achievement, H.H. Sheikh Humaid Bin Rashid Al Nuaimi Member of the Supreme Council, UAE and Ruler of Ajman urged them to continue their specialized studies and excel in their careers, and advised them to utilize the knowledge to help the society and the nation. Addressing the Emirati graduates, His Highness said that they are a source of honor to the country.

H.H. Sheikh Humaid Bin Rashid Al Nuaimi presented the graduation certificates to a total of 177 graduates of the University this year; 58 of Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS), 22 of Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPT), 27 of Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD), 33 of Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD), 19 of Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences (BBMS), 5 of Bachelor of Science – Medical Laboratory Sciences (B.Sc. MLS), 2 of Bachelor of Science – Medical Imaging Sciences (B.Sc. MIS), 4 of Bachelor of Health Science – Anesthesia and Surgical Technology (BHS-AST), 4 of Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and 3 of Master in Toxicology (M.Tox). The outgoing students belong to 37 different nationalities: UAE (9), GCC (8), other Arab nations (41), Asia (58), Africa (42) and others (19 – including students from USA, UK, Australia, Canada, Dominica, Hungary, Ireland and Russia).

Addressing the gathering, Dr. Thumbay Moideen, Founder, President Board of Trustees, Gulf Medical University (GMU) said, “GMU is now into its 21st year of operation and we are now among the most in demand private medical university in the region besides being a well-known brand. Our network of THUMBAY Academic Hospital is one among the biggest healthcare providers in the country with the addition of new 350-bedded hospital in Jurf and the biggest Thumbay Dental Hospital & Thumbay Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Hospital. The Gulf Medical University now collaborates with over 70 institutions across the world and has taken steps to include innovative and path breaking educational initiatives under the leadership of our Chancellor.”

Dr. Thumbay Moideen also thanked H.H. Sheikh Humaid Bin Rashid Al Nuaimi for the government’s continuous support to the institution and assured that GMU was on track to emerge as a leading full-fledged and research-based university in the region. Congratulating the graduates, he assured them of GMU’s support always.

The Chancellor of GMU, Prof. Hossam Hamdy said that the number of colleges under GMU has reached 6 and the number of the undergraduate and the postgraduate programs has increased from 15 to 25. He added that GMU established for the first time in a private university an integrated system of healthcare and academia thus improving the level of health services, education and scientific research. “The Institute of Precision Medicine leads the scientific research.  We are proud that a research has been accepted in nature in collaboration with France. During this year, the University signed and activated more than ten international agreements with major international universities such as the University of Arizona, Virginia Commonwealth University, Wisconsin Medical University, St. Joseph University in the United States, German Heidelberg University, Tokyo University, research institutes in France such as the Gustave Rossi Cancer Research Institute and the University of Paris and its hospitals and research centers,” he added.

To the graduates, Prof. Hossam Hamdy stressed the importance of empathy, altruism, conscience, courage, teamwork and fear of God as the values that should guide them throughout their careers.

About Gulf Medical University

Established in 1998, GMU was the first university in the region to accept students of both genders and of all nationalities in all its departments. The University focuses on three main fields: medical education, healthcare, and research. GMU is one of the most popular medical academic establishments in the Gulf region, with advanced infrastructure and facilities. GMU has been ranked among the ‘Top 50 Universities in the Middle East’ and is also listed among ‘10 Best Value Institutes in the UAE 2018’. It won the Gold Award at the prestigious Sheikh Khalifa Excellence Awards, 2018. It has students from 80 nationalities and faculty/staff from over 25 countries. GMU organizes international and regional conferences and seminars in all medical fields.

Alumni of Gulf Medical University (GMU), Ajman, the leading private medical university in the Gulf region, got together at Ajman Saray Hotel to celebrate their achievements at the ‘GMU Annual Global Alumni Summit’ on 27^th November 2018. Dr. Thumbay Moideen – Founder, President Board of Trustees GMU was the chief guest of the function presided by Prof. Hossam Hamdy – Chancellor of GMU.

Thirteen outstanding achievers from among the alumni were honored by GMU, in recognition of their accomplishments. The awards were presented by Dr. Thumbay Moideen. The alumni members honored Dr. Thumbay Moideen with a special memento. A cake-cutting ceremony was also organized as part of the event, celebrating GMU’s successful completion of 20 years of excellence in medical education, healthcare and research.

Addressing the alumni, Prof. Hossam Hamdy said, “You are the role-models for our students and we at GMU are proud of what you have achieved in your careers. Your accomplishments inspire the students of GMU to dream big.” Further, he explained the University’s growth in recent times, with 6 colleges and 25 accredited programs currently under GMU.

Dr. Waleed, an alumnus working in the UK addressed the gathering on behalf of the alumni members and expressed their gratitude and appreciation for Gulf Medical University’s role in helping them build a successful career in healthcare. “We are proud to be the alumni of GMU, and are happy to see the University growing,” he said. He also moderated the panel discussion of alumni members.

Earlier, Prof. Manda Venkatramana – Vice Provost Academics, GMU, welcomed the gathering. The event was an occasion for GMU alumni members to network and share their experiences, at the same time, discuss the new trends in medical education and the healthcare industry. A few of them shared their success stories, challenges faced and their highest achievements before the audience comprising of GMU students, faculty and fellow alumni. The event also gave current students the opportunity to interact with the alumni from different parts of the world, gaining insights into different professional scenarios and information on career prospects round the globe.

The following alumni were honored at the event, for their achievements:

Healthcare: Government Service, UAE

1. Nisha Viji Varghese – Specialist Fellow NICU/Pediatrics at Tawam Hospital NNU, Al Ain, UAE
2. Amna Ahmed Alsari Almheiri – Clinical Pharmacist in Al Baraha Hospital, Dubai
3. Amal Ahmed Eissa Flaw Almatrooshi – Physiotherapist & Deputy Head of Physiotherapy Dept., Al Qassimi Hospital, Sharjah
4. Ahmed Arslan Murshed – Presently Cardiac Surgeon in Mila, Italy

Healthcare Delivery System –Private Sector / Leadership 

1. Julie Shah – Consultant Endocrinologist, Mubadala Healthcare, Imperial College Of London Diabetes Center, Abu Dhabi, UAE
2. Baljinder Singh – Head and General Practitioner, Emergency, Thumbay Hospital, Ajman

Healthcare Delivery System –Entrepreneurship / Leadership 

1. Hina Aljaz Ansari – Senior Physiotherapist, Salim Medical Center, Sharjah

Healthcare Delivery System – NGO / Humanitarian Service 

1. Najwa Y. Al-Dheeb – Health & Nutrition Manager and Health Sub-cluster Coordinator, UNICEF, Sana’a- Yemen

Healthcare: Research 

1. Maliha Ali – Researcher, The American Institutes for Research (AIR), Bethesda, MD

Healthcare: Academia 

1. Mahya Beheshti – Research-Scientist, Department of Rehabilitation, New York University School of Medicine, NY 

Healthcare: Leadership 

1. Danavanthi Bangera – Acting Medical Director, Thumbay Dental Hospital, Al Jurf, Ajman
2. Walid Adel Al Deeb – Radiology Registrar, North Wales School of Radiology, Wales, Deanery, UK

Healthcare: Government – International

1. Farah Jameel Yates – Chair Camden LMC at London wide and Trustee Medical Women’s Federation

About Gulf Medical University

Established in 1998, GMU was the first university in the region to accept students of both genders and of all nationalities in all its departments. The University focuses on three main fields: medical education, healthcare, and research. GMU is one of the most popular medical academic establishments in the Gulf region, with 6 colleges, 25 accredited courses and advanced infrastructure and facilities. GMU has been ranked among the ‘Top 50 Universities in the Middle East’ and is also listed among ‘10 Best Value Institutes in the UAE 2018’. It won the Gold Award at the prestigious Sheikh Khalifa Excellence Awards, 2018. It has students from 80 nationalities and faculty/staff from over 25 countries. GMU organizes international and regional conferences and seminars in all medical fields.

The most endearing aspect of life for 58-year-old Mrs. Stella Nwanganga Ntiajuka was her job as a primary school head-teacher in her hometown Lagos in Nigeria. She had been thoroughly enjoying her role for many years and was very fond of her students, as they were of her. The thought of a busy day at the bustling school premises was something she woke up looking forward to, every day.

Early last year, Stella started experiencing difficulties in her throat, which started as a difficulty to swallow solid foods, accompanied by hoarseness of voice. By April 2018, she noticed the appearance of a sizeable lump on her throat. She didn’t worry about it at first, but as days passed, she experienced a worsening discomfort in her throat.  Even when she tried to swallow the food by flushing it down her throat with water, she wasn’t very successful. This resulted in an alarming decline in weight to almost 18 kilos.

She approached a local hospital in her hometown, expecting to be diagnosed with either malaria or typhoid. Little did she know that this would be the start of a harrowing journey from one hospital to another and from one diagnostic lab to another. Despite seeing several doctors, her illness could not be diagnosed. In July 2018, an ENT specialist at one of the hospitals referred her to a university teaching hospital.

At the university teaching hospital, she had appointments with the specialist doctor twice a week. She underwent several diagnostic tests, X-rays and even biopsy, over a period of time. Finally, the biopsy result revealed ‘benign spindle tumor in the neck’. However, the hospital couldn’t operate her because of the risk involved due to the critical location of the tumor. The tumor was located on her throat such that any surgical intervention would involve the risk of turning fatal.

Stella started finding it increasingly difficult to eat food, either solid or semi-solid, and to even drink water. She was unable to sleep at night, and was losing weight rapidly due to decreased food intake. When she couldn’t bear it anymore, her family decided to look for options abroad. They discussed this with her son, who in turn suggested Thumbay Hospital – Ajman, based on positive feedbacks he had heard about the hospital.

Stella and her husband arrived at the hospital on 17^th November 2018. “The moment I landed in the UAE, my mind said: ‘Yes, I have arrived at the right country for treatment’. After my first consultation with the doctor, I was convinced that I had finally arrived at the right hospital, to be treated by the right doctor,” Stella recounts her first day in the UAE.

She was attended by Dr. Hillol Kanti Pal, Medical Director & Consultant Neurosurgeon. Observing her in the OP department, Dr. Hillol noticed the sizeable mass on her neck occupying the right carotid triangle, an area through which runs the common carotid artery and the internal jugular vein. After preliminary and detailed investigations, and in the light of the biopsy report from her home country, Dr. Hillol diagnosed her with Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). She was in the O-ve blood group, making the prospect of a surgical intervention even more complex. “Her difficulty in swallowing food – called ‘Dysphagia’ in medical parlance – had caused her to lose 18kgs of body-weight in just a few months. As we prepared for the surgery, perhaps the biggest challenge in addition to her rare blood group was that she had hardly eaten for 8 months. She also had diabetes mellitus, meaning the post-operative wounds could take longer to heal,” Dr. Hillol recounted.

Dr. Hillol assembled a team of surgeons of the hospital, for the procedure. “This was a tough task for one individual alone to perform.  We also arranged several consultation sessions for the patient and her husband, with the team that would be performing the surgery. This was important to make them understand the process involved, as well as to allay their apprehensions,” he said. The team of surgeons included Dr. Rajesh Sisodiya – Specialist General Surgeon, Dr. Faisal Ameer – Specialist Plastic Surgeon and Dr. Rohit Gulati – Specialist ENT Surgeon.

Stella underwent 3 surgical procedures: the first one to insert a pipe through her nose, so that she could take fluid food. The second procedure was to prevent the growth of the tumor and the third one was to remove the entire tumor.  The complete procedure took a total of around six-and-a-half hours. “Only one unit of blood was used throughout the entire procedure. The happiest moment for us was when, 24 hours after the surgery, the patient was able to move her hands and she held my hand and smiled,” Dr. Hillol said.

The tumor was completely removed, and Stella is now able to swallow food and drinks without any difficulties. She has regained her voice too. “I am thankful to Thumbay Hospital – Ajman, the surgeons and the staff for all the help and reassurance they gave me throughout my path to recovery. Dr. Hillol had promised that I would get the best care here, and he kept his promise. The team of doctors took my problem as their own, and ensured that I got the right treatment for speedy recovery,” she said.

Having regained her normal self, Stella says she is looking forward to resume doing what she loves best – teaching. “I miss the school and my students. I am happy that I can now return to teaching,” she said.

Thumbay Hospitals are considered the pioneers of medical tourism in the UAE. All Thumbay Hospitals in the UAE as well as Thumbay Hospital – Hyderabad, India attract medical tourists from around the world. The hospitals have full-fledged medical tourism departments. Thumbay Medical Tourism (TMT) is Thumbay Group’s award-winning medical tourism initiative focuses on marketing world-class healthcare services to international patients through innovative methods. Thumbay Hospital is also a proud partner in the Dubai Health Experience (DXH), the prestigious brand conceived by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) to strengthen the position of Dubai on the world map of medical tourism, in line with the Dubai Medical tourism strategy approved in April 2014 by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council. TMT has established representative offices in 87 countries, giving further fillip to Thumbay Hospitals’ medical tourism ambitions.

• The third edition of the region’s biggest and most comprehensive annual awards for the healthcare sector, the Annual Health Awards will be held at The Grand Hyatt – Dubai, on 18^th March 2019, announced H.E. Humaid Al Qutami, Director General of DHA. 

• The gala ceremony will honour healthcare trendsetters and outstanding leaders and professionals, in the presence of VVIP dignitaries and Arab, Bollywood and South Indian celebrities.

 The Dubai Health Authority (DHA), Dubai and UAE-based HEALTH magazine, the region’s popular health & lifestyle magazine, has announced that the third edition of the prestigious ‘Annual Health Awards,’ will be held at the Baniyas Ballroom in Grand Hyatt, Dubai on 18^th March 2019.  Considered the region’s biggest and most comprehensive annual awards for the healthcare sector, the Annual Health Awards celebrates outstanding contributions of individuals and companies, as well as innovations in the healthcare industry.

The event will bring together the who’s who of the UAE’s healthcare industry. Arab, Bollywood and South Indian celebrities will add to the glitter of the event. The function will also be attended corporate chieftains and prominent healthcare leaders from the region.

The second edition of the awards, the ‘Annual HEALTH Awards 2018’ held earlier this year, jointly hosted by DHA and HEALTH magazine, had honoured 35 outstanding achievers and 17 trendsetters at the gala awards event at the Grand Hyatt Dubai. The event brought together more than a thousand healthcare leaders and professionals from the UAE’s private and public sectors.

DHA’s continued support to the Annual HEALTH Awards comes in the wake of the huge success of the previous editions of the awards. The 2019 edition will be bigger and more comprehensive. “DHA will work with HEALTH Magazine to organize and promote the Annual Health Awards 2019, which will be an event to appreciate outstanding contributions in the field of healthcare and publicize significant achievements in the sector,” said His Excellency Humaid Al Qutami, Chairman of the Board and Director-General of the Dubai Health Authority.

Since its inaugural edition, the Annual Health Awards has been a platform to publicize and promote significant achievements in the healthcare sector. The Annual HEALTH Awards 2019 aims to inspire healthcare professionals and institutions to dream big and to embark upon great endeavours.

GMU was invited for “Science Panel Discussion” at Our Own English High School (Girls) Sharjah on December 12, 2018. Prof. Gomathi Kadayam Guruswami, Associate Dean, Academics, College of Medicine was invited as a Panellist to discuss Science Careers in the Career Fair/Science Panel discussion held at the Our Own English High School (Girls) Sharjah which was attended by a large group of grade 10-11 students with their parents. Prof. Gomathi and Ms Sherly Ajay, Asst. Registrar (Admissions) answered questions related to careers opportunities in the health-related fields. Students were provided with brochures and other information regarding the courses offered by our University.

Gulf Medical University (GMU), Ajman, is one of the first private medical universities in the Middle East region. The focus of the Gulf Medical University is in the three core areas of Medical Education, Healthcare and Research. The University has infrastructure and facilities which are at par with international standards. The university offers undergraduate and master’s Programs in Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Health sciences, Nursing, Medical education, Healthcare Management and Economics.

HEALTH magazine, the region’s popular health & lifestyle magazine published by Dubai-based international conglomerate Thumbay Group, received the ‘Alleem Sustainable Development Award 2018’, at the Alleem Excellence Awards Night held at the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce & Industry on 12^th December 2018. The award was presented by H.E Dr. Rashid Alleem, Founder & Executive Chairman of Alleem Investment & Chairman of Sharjah Electricity & Water Authority (SEWA), to Ms. Saadiya Ahmad, Editor of HEALTH magazine. HEALTH magazine was awarded in the ‘Media Partner’ category.

Launched in 1999, HEALTH Magazine is a leading health & lifestyle publication in the region, highly regarded and read by a large segment of healthcare professionals and general public in the region as well as globally. It is a bi-monthly, bi-lingual (English and Arabic) magazine with a BPA-audited circulation of 20,000 copies and a readership of around 80,000. It is licensed by the National Media Council, UAE. It covers a variety of topics such as health, lifestyle, wellness, fitness, beauty, family, parenting, diet, nutrition, luxury and fashion.

HEALTH magazine also conducts the region’s biggest and most comprehensive annual awards for the healthcare sector, the Annual HEALTH Awards. The Annual Health Awards celebrates outstanding contributions of individuals and companies, as well as innovations in the healthcare industry. Every year, the event brings together the who’s who of the UAE’s healthcare industry as well as Arab, Bollywood and South Indian celebrities. The event is the biggest gathering of its kind attended by corporate chieftains and prominent healthcare leaders from the region.

In association with the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), Dubai, HEALTH magazine recently announced that the third edition of the prestigious ‘Annual HEALTH Awards,’ will be held at the Baniyas Ballroom in Grand Hyatt, Dubai on 18th March 2019.  Nominations for the Annual HEALTH Awards 2019 are now open, and can be submitted online at: www.healthawards.ae/nominate

The agreement will enable GMU to deliver a UK-equivalent postgraduate Internal Medicine Training (IMT) Program in UAE

An agreement signed between Gulf Medical University (GMU), Ajman and the Federation of the Royal College of Physicians UK has further expanded GMU’s portfolio of international partnerships, at the same time widening student exposure and opportunities in terms of globally recognized programs.

The MoU was signed at the GMU campus on 29^th November 2018, by Prof. Hossam Hamdy, the Chancellor of GMU and Prof. David Black, International Medical Director (Training), Federation of the Royal College of Physicians UK. The agreement has established a strong partnership between GMU and the Federation of the Royal Colleges of Physicians of the United Kingdom, enabling the University to deliver a UK-equivalent postgraduate Internal Medicine Training (IMT) Program in UAE. The training program will be conducted over a period of three years across all hospitals and clinics within the GMU Academic Health System, and will be supervised and monitored by the Joint Royal College of Physicians Training Board (JRCPTB).

Prof. Hossam Hamdy said that the agreement is an important step for GMU. “GMU, as a leading University of health professions education, is pleased to tie-up with such a prestigious organization as the Federation of the Royal College of Physicians UK, with many decades’ experience influencing medical practice in the UK and beyond. This is in line with our vision to be a leading international academic healthcare institution through the integration of quality health professions education, research, healthcare and social accountability for sustainable community development,” he said.

Prof. David Black said that the Federation was delighted to be working with GMU. “Gulf Medical University is already at the forefront of changes in medical education. We are looking forward to starting our IMT program at GMU from September 2019,” he remarked.

Gulf Medical University, Ajman is establishing itself as an International Centre to run the MRCP (UK) PACES Examination in UAE. A group of Directors and Expert Examiners from the Federation of the Royal Colleges of Physicians of the UK had visited GMU from 27^th to 29^th November 2018 to run the PACES Mock Exam and to meet and interact with the academic leadership and clinical faculty.

Congratulating GMU on its superior standards and quality, Dr. Donald L. Farquhar, International Medical Director (Assessment) said that he expected GMU to run the first MRCP (UK) PACES examination in June 2019. “The MRCP PACES exam is the biggest clinical exam internationally, attempted by over 6000 clinical trainees around the world. Places like GMU are a huge asset to us, as we endeavor to facilitate greater convenience for the examinees,” he added.