Dr. Thumbay Moideen’s Journey from Vision to Global Success
By Mohammed Irshad
“If Money is lost, nothing is lost; if Health is lost, something is lost; and if Character is lost, then everything is lost”
“I believe in addressing real needs with innovative solutions. Be passionate, persistent, and adaptable in pursuing your goals. Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth, and always be open to learning from failures. With determination and a customer-centric approach, you can carve your path to success and leave a lasting impact on the world.”
– Dr. Thumbay Moideen, Founder and President, Thumbay Group
Meet the visionary entrepreneur and driving force behind the remarkable success of Thumbay Group, Dr. Thumbay Moideen. Widely recognized as one of the UAE’s most inspiring success stories, his journey from a chance meeting decades ago to building a vast and expanding business conglomerate is a testament to his determination and dynamic leadership.
By Mohammed Irshad
Hailing from Mangalore and being born into a family of entrepreneurs, His entrepreneurial spirit runs deep. In 1998, he made history as the first Indian to be invited by the Rulers of Ajman to establish a medical college in the UAE. This pioneering initiative marked the beginning of his trailblazing contributions to the fields of higher education and healthcare in the country.
Driven by a passion to make a positive impact, He set up the country’s first private medical college, offering programs to students of all nationalities. Additionally, He introduced the first private teaching hospital in the UAE, revolutionizing the healthcare landscape and making quality healthcare accessible to all.
With a remarkable vision and unwavering determination, He has transformed Thumbay Group into a diversified and expanding business conglomerate. His accomplishments and dedication have earned him widespread recognition as a leading figure in the region.
In an exclusive interview, the esteemed team at Mediworld ME had the privilege of sitting down with Dr. Thumbay Moideen. Join us as we delve into the extraordinary journey of this visionary entrepreneur and the outstanding achievements of Thumbay Group. Gain firsthand insights and candid conversations, as we share unique perspectives from our interview, shedding light on his relentless pursuit of excellence in education and healthcare. Hear directly from Dr. Moideen as he shares his thoughts, inspirations, and aspirations for the future of Thumbay Group.
Congratulations on completing 25 successful years in the UAE market! How do you plan to celebrate this momentous achievement, and to whom will you dedicate the wonderful journey of Thumbay Group?
Thank You. As Thumbay Group completes 25 years of operations in the United Arab Emirates, this momentous milestone is a testament to the kindness and blessings of the Almighty. We are immensely grateful for the unwavering support we received from the government, with multiple ministries and local Sheikhs wholeheartedly backing our business endeavors.
However, our success would not have been possible without the dedication and commitment of our exceptional team. Their passion for the business has been instrumental in driving us forward and achieving remarkable growth over the years.
As we celebrate this momentous achievement, we dedicate this wonderful journey of Thumbay Group to all our stakeholders – our team members, customers, partners, and the community at large. Their unwavering trust and support have been the driving force behind our success.
Looking ahead, we are eager to expand our global presence, with a particular focus on launching more universities and healthcare facilities outside of the UAE. This next phase of growth holds exciting opportunities, and we are committed to continuing our journey of making a positive impact on people’s lives through quality education and healthcare services. Together, we envision a future of boundless possibilities, where Thumbay Group continues to thrive and leave a lasting legacy in the global arena.
We would love to hear about your incredible journey from India to becoming a prominent business tycoon, adorned with multiple international awards and recognition, and earning a spot on the GCC’s list of the 50 richest Indians.
Reflecting on the journey since Thumbay Group’s establishment in 1997 fills me with immense pride for the values we have instilled, the aspirations we have achieved, and the group’s remarkable accomplishments. What began as the first private Medical College has evolved into a well-established name in diverse sectors such as medical education, healthcare, research, laboratory, pharmacy, and various hospitality businesses, including health clubs, coffee shops, optical shops, and flower shops. Today, the group boasts over 110 touchpoints across seven emirates and collaborates with more than 70 institutions worldwide.
This journey has been characterized by courage, conviction, and daring to dream big. Overcoming hurdles, I forged ahead with an unwavering determination to realize my business plans. My passion for what I do has been a driving force, enabling the Thumbay Group to achieve a global presence and thrive in the face of challenges. The journey has been a testament to the power of perseverance and the joy of pursuing one’s dreams.
What inspired your visionary approach to creating a diversified portfolio spanning real estate to healthcare, as reflected in your motivational vision statement “Growth through Innovation”?
At Thumbay Group, we firmly believe that “innovation is the key driver of growth,” and it has been the cornerstone of our business practices since our inception in 1997. Our commitment to setting new standards in innovation is reflected in our strategic approach. Instead of merely responding to business requests or implementing random changes, we have meticulously charted out individual brand pathways aligned with our corporate strategy of innovating for growth, with clearly defined and measurable outcomes.
Our motto, “Growth through Innovation,” underscores our dedication to enhancing existing capabilities, maintaining competitive advantage, and improving overall efficiency. This philosophy has been the driving force behind our remarkable success and dynamic growth over the years.
At Thumbay Group, innovation is not just a buzzword; it is deeply ingrained in our culture and guides our every decision. We understand that staying ahead in today’s rapidly evolving world requires continuous innovation, and we have embraced this principle wholeheartedly.
Our unwavering commitment to innovation has led to remarkable success and dynamic growth. As we look to the future, we remain dedicated to shaping our business and industry through continuous innovation. Embracing innovation at every level, we are poised to drive sustainable growth, staying at the forefront of our field, and creating lasting value for all stakeholders.Top of Form
Your diverse business portfolio, encompassing medical education, healthcare, and nutrition stores, has truly impressed us. What drove you to integrate such powerful business synergy?
Throughout our corporate strategy, we have adopted a distributed model, combining shared services and dedicated resources to leverage mutual benefits. For instance, our first teaching hospital, Thumbay Hospital Ajman, was established to provide clinical training to medical students at Gulf Medical University. Subsequent businesses set up have contributed functionally and operationally, growing into individual entities. This approach fosters business synergy and integration, cultivating a mutually supportive environment across our product and service lines.
To ensure streamlined processes, we prioritize clarity in each brand’s strategy and its contribution to the company-wide goals. Each entity plays a role in supporting the overall corporate strategy, driving efficiency and effectiveness across the organization. The result is a cohesive structure that allows us to maximize the potential of each business while benefiting from collective resources and expertise.
In your Medical Tourism Vision, how does Indian Healthcare play a role, and are you seeking collaborative partnerships with Indian healthcare service providers?
Indian Healthcare holds a significant place in our Medical Tourism Vision, and we have always been enthusiastic about collaborative endeavors with healthcare service providers from India and beyond. As pioneers of medical tourism in the UAE, we take pride in being the first hospital to establish a dedicated department for promoting medical tourism in our country. With representative offices in over 50 countries and multilingual staff proficient in 20 languages, we have extended our reach far and wide.
Looking ahead, we remain open to aligning with Indian healthcare enterprises and practitioners who can bring a positive impact to our projects, fostering growth and efficiency for the future. We believe that collaborative efforts will further enhance our ability to offer top-notch medical services and an exceptional experience to our international patients. Embracing partnerships with Indian healthcare providers allows us to tap into their expertise and enrich our offerings, reinforcing our commitment to advancing medical tourism in the region.
Do you have any plans to integrate Digital Health into your end-to-end Healthcare portfolio?
Absolutely! We have exciting plans to incorporate Digital Health into our end-to-end Healthcare portfolio. One groundbreaking initiative we are currently working on is the launch of Thumbay University Hospital on the metaverse, a first-of-its-kind venture in the region. With the metaverse, our goal is to shape a smart future where distinct virtual services cater to consumers’ aspirations and optimize time and effort. Our virtual hospital will revolutionize medical tourism services in the UAE, allowing potential visitors to experience our healthcare facility virtually and interact with doctors through avatars.
In line with our commitment to easy healthcare access, we have already introduced services like tele-health and more. Embracing Digital Health is a strategic move to enhance our capabilities, enrich patient experiences, and ensure seamless healthcare delivery. By integrating cutting-edge technology into our portfolio, we aim to stay at the forefront of innovation and create a transformative healthcare experience for all.
As a generous patron and advocate of social causes with significant CSR contributions for societal and economic upliftment, what are your future commitments to Healthcare CSR?
Thumbay Group takes immense pride in being a generous patron and champion of social causes, and our commitment to Healthcare CSR remains unwavering. As part of our ongoing efforts to serve the community and give back, we regularly organize free health camps across all our hospitals. These camps offer complimentary lab tests, radiology tests, and medicines to those in need. Additionally, we extend regular assistance to children from lower economic backgrounds, ensuring they receive the support they deserve.
Our dedication to social causes goes beyond healthcare, encompassing a range of impactful initiatives. For instance, our ‘Joy of Giving’ campaign aims to bring happiness to needy children by encouraging donations of books, toys, clothes, school stationery, and painting materials. Through our ‘Go Green’ initiative, we inspire people to respect and care for the environment by actively participating in tree-planting efforts.
At our Blends and Brews coffee shops, the ‘Coffee on the Wall’ initiative allows customers to sponsor extra coffees for visitors who cannot afford to pay. Moreover, our annual GMU Medical & Science Exhibition fosters innovative thinking among the younger generation, promoting a culture of curiosity and discovery.
Looking ahead, we are committed to furthering our Healthcare CSR initiatives, leveraging our resources and influence to create a positive impact on society. Our goal is to continue making a difference, touching lives, and uplifting communities through our social endeavors.
What advice would you give to entrepreneurs and startup enthusiasts who see you as a business icon and a source of inspiration?
To all aspiring entrepreneurs and startup enthusiasts who see me as a business icon and inspiration, my advice is simple yet powerful. Begin by identifying a widely shared pain point that remains unsolved, and focus on creating the best possible solution for it. This foundational step lays the groundwork for building a successful business.
Take Gulf Medical University as an example; our journey started with a vision to enhance education in the emirate of Ajman and attract more young people to the region. From this starting point, we diversified and expanded, giving rise to the multi-faceted Thumbay Group.
Remember, the key to entrepreneurial success lies in addressing real needs with innovative solutions. Be passionate, persistent, and adaptable in pursuing your goals. Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth, and always be open to learning from failures. With determination and a customer-centric approach, you can carve your path to success and leave a lasting impact on the world.
