VPS Healthcare, an integrated healthcare provider with a network of hospitals and medical centres, has announced the hiring of its new Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Ali Obaid Al-Ali. The hire is indicative of the medical services provider’s commitment to localising its operations and management by bringing talented and distinguished Emiratis on board.
"Keeping with our philosophy, VPS Healthcare has greatly strengthened its management team with Dr. Al-Ali," said Dr. Shamsheer Vayalil, Managing Director, VPS Healthcare. "The on-boarding of high-caliber Emiratis on senior positions is a vital component in the lead-up to our next generation of growth." There has been a disparity between the numbers of Emiratis in the private sector as compared to the public sector, with the former representing less than 10 percent. "The presence and expansion of Emirati leadership in VPS Healthcare will have a significant impact on our performance, as well as maintaining our strategic focus on quality and overall healthcare delivery," Dr. Shamsheer continued.
Dr. Ali has over 25 years of experience in the public health. He served for 5 years at the Zayed Military Hospital as commander, and 7 years with the Health Authority Abu Dhabi, where he lead the Health Regulation and International Patient Care. He has received specialised training in aerospace medicine from the prestigious Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio, USA. His stated goal in assuming the CEO position at VPS Healthcare is to strengthen tertiary care services by establishing international standards of healthcare delivery.
"Our approach to acquiring this kind of talent is not to do ‘different things’ but to ‘do things differently,’" explained Dr. Shamsheer. "We take a very holistic approach to how we conceive and apply care, and organisational growth and seamless integration of unique talent and expertise are essential during this phase in our development." Dr. Shamsheer went on to explain that with a multinational workforce of over 5,000 employees, VPS Healthcare has an incredible opportunity to customise such diverse international expertise to meet local requirements here in the Emirates with a patient-centric approach, something that has come to define VPS Healthcare.
"As the global economy changes, the UAE is likely to see greater involvement in the private sector by Emiratis," Dr. Shamsheer concluded. "VPS Healthcare’s initiative will not only boost medical tourism even further, but will result in locals remaining in the UAE for treatment instead of going abroad, allowing us to stay ahead as a world-leading healthcare provider." VPS Healthcare currently has 9 operational hospitals with a chain of Medical Centers in the region, and aims to increase their bed capacity to 5,000 in the next five years through various acquisitions and green field projects.