Healthcare experts honoured in Dubai

Winners of the second edition of the Annual Health Awards were felicitated at a gala event at the Grand Hyatt Dubai on Monday. Jointly organised by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) and Health magazine, the event - the region's biggest and most comprehensive annual awards for the healthcare sector brought together more than a thousand healthcare leaders and professionals from the UAE's private and public sectors. Humaid Al Qattami, Chairman of the board and Director-General of the DHA, presented the awards to 35 winners in 23 categories, including private and public sector organisations and individuals, as well as 17 legendary dignitaries - for their pioneering roles in shaping the healthcare industry of the region. Dr Thumbay Moideen, founder president of Thumbay Group and publisher of Health magazine, was also present. Al Qattami said that the DHA was proud to honour the outstanding achievements in healthcare, and to promote the best healthcare practices. Noting that the awards had grown bigger in terms of participation as well as categories, he urged healthcare professionals and companies to participate in the upcoming editions.

Also in attendance were Sheikh Faisal bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Chairman of Julphar; Dr Abdul Rahim Jaffer, former undersecretary at the Ministry of Health and Prevention. The event was also attended by Arab celebrity Mayssa Maghrebi and Bollywood celebrities Sanjay Dutt, Manyata Dutt and Rimi Sen.

The corporate award categories included honours for hospital infrastructure development, CSR contribution, innovative technology in healthcare, medical tourism etc. The individual categories included distinguished women, innovative researchers, leaders in healthcare etc. Dr Moideen said that the awards ceremony was a perfect platform to celebrate healthcare accomplishments in the UAE. "Through these awards, we seek to honour the present generation of healthcare heroes, at the same time inspiring and motivating the present as well as future generation of professionals to nurture an innovative approach to healthcare. We are glad that the awards ceremony this year has attracted larger numbers of applicants and participants, on its way towards emerging as the hallmark of healthcare excellence." Seventeen healthcare trendsetters were honoured with special awards, in recognition of their contributions towards the region's healthcare industry. The winners of the special awards were: Sheikh Faisal bin Saqr Al Qasimi; Dr Abdul Rahim Jaffer; Dr B. R. Shetty, chairman of BRS Ventures; Prof Muscat Baron, dean-clinical, Dubai Medical College; Dr Raja Easa Saleh al Gurg, chairperson of Al Jalila Foundation; Dr Najib Al Khaja, secretary-general of Sheikh Hamdan Awards for Medical Sciences; Dr Yousuf Abdul Razak Al Bastaki, director - medical education, DHA; Dr Muhaddita Al Hashimi, director, Higher Colleges of Technology; Prof Rafia Ghubhash, former president, Arabian Gulf University; Dr Abdulla Al Khayat, former director, Latifa Hospital; Dr Ahmed Al Hashimy, member of the board of trustees, Sheikh Hamdan Awards for Medical Sciences; Dr Zainab Abdulla Kazim, gynaecologist, first Emirati female doctor; Dr Ahmed Kazim, orthopaedic specialist, first Emirati male doctor; Prof Hossam Hamdy, chancellor, Gulf Medical University; Dr Michael Bitzer, CEO, Daman; Dr Ajit Nagpal, former advisor, MoHP; Dr Mohamed Kouta, general manager, City Pharmacy.