Excellence through innovation

Akbar Moideen Thumbay's outlook is to build the region's best healthcare infrastructure that is automated in essence Akbar Moideen Thumbay's outlook is to build the region's best healthcare infrastructure that is automated in essence

Akbar Moideen Thumbay, Vice-President Healthcare Division and Board Member Thumbay Group, is exceptionally articulate as he spells out his workaholic agenda for a second-to-none future for Thumbay.
He looks after one of the fastest growing networks of hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, and laboratories in the region, which is proudly part of the only private academic hospital in the UAE. "The only teaching hospital of the UAE is our signature identity, and we pride in it. Our doctors not only treat patients, but also teach and indulge in professional excellence through research activity at the Gulf Medical University."
Having started with one medical facility in Ajman in 2002, Thumbay has come a long way. He defines the theme as a 'Unitary Hospital' equipped with services such as dentistry, rehabilitation, home care, etc.
Akbar Moideen pointed out that promoting medical tourism is Thumbay's destiny. "Our representative offices are in 87 countries to promote UAE as the hub for healthcare and medical tourism. Presently, we are attracting an average of more than 10 international patients daily, whereas the gigantic target is 1,000 patients per day."
The vice-president highlighted the factors that are graciously leading to potential healthcare system in the UAE, such as mandatory health insurance in Dubai, which will soon also be a must in Northern Emirates. Moreover, the government's largesse in visa issuance for international patients in a couple of hours has buoyed medical tourism.
When asked as to how Thumbay has made inroads, he says: "Access of people to Thumbay is increasing. We are connecting the world to the UAE, and this is the biggest difference that Thumbay has accomplished in medical tourism."
Akbar says technology is the key to success and innovation, and at Thumbay special efforts have been made to enrich the services by making use of artificial intelligence, and inducting appropriate modern technology. "We have the most hi-tech MRIs, Pet Scan, and will soon have a robotic pharmacy, as well as laboratories where samples can be tested in two minutes."
He says the whole data infrastructure shall be linked, which will enable better diagnosis for health professionals by making use of automation, latest inventions in medicine and pharmacy. "Our entire network shall be based on a single ID format. Moreover, we have a company catering to the latest technology for Thumbay; and the concept is to become a paperless hospital. The goal is to achieve HIMSS level of 7."
He proudly recalls the first of its kind 50-bed rehabilitation hospital, and a similar 50-bed unit dedicated for long-term healthcare for special patients and an innovative therapeutic garden to help healing in a unique way.
- mehkri@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE