Thumbay Medical City in Ajman — one of the largest integrated centres for medical education, healthcare, and scientific research in the region — received His Excellency Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade. The visit opened the door for dialogue on integration between the national trade agenda and the academic, research, and service work carried out by the city.
His Excellency the Minister was received by Dr Thumbay Moideen, Founding President of Thumbay Group, and Akbar Moideen Thumbay, Vice President for Healthcare at the Group, along with a number of directors, senior officials, and academics.
During the visit, His Excellency toured the facilities of Gulf Medical University — the largest and first private medical university of its kind in the region — as well as Thumbay's academic hospitals. He gained a close insight into the integration of the educational process, patient care, and scientific research under one roof, and was briefed on the institution's development journey, which began with a single college in 1998 and has since grown into a destination attracting students from more than 111 countries.
Following the tour, His Excellency the Minister met with Dr Thumbay Moideen in his office at Thumbay University Hospital within Thumbay Medical City. Discussions focused on the role of private healthcare and educational institutions in strengthening the knowledge economy of the United Arab Emirates, advancing medical research and life sciences, and supporting the country's ambition to establish itself as a world-leading destination for talent and investment. The visit concluded with the presentation of a commemorative gift to His Excellency and a group photograph with Thumbay Group's leadership and team.
The system adopted by Thumbay Group in training healthcare personnel and managing scientific research programmes in precision medicine and population health forms an integral part of the national vision, affirming a shared belief that healthcare, education, and scientific research are not separate sectors but essential pillars of trade and investment.
His Excellency Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, said: "The UAE's journey is built on ambition and the efficiency and quality of its institutions across all sectors. Thumbay Group continues to play a pivotal role in supporting the country's healthcare ecosystem by delivering world-class services, while also contributing to the UAE's standing as an advanced regional and international hub in medical education and clinical research."
He added: "Thumbay Medical City embodies an integrated model of this steadfast commitment to excellence in healthcare, and its outputs and achievements align closely with the targets of the We the UAE 2031 Vision, which places among its priorities elevating the country's position among the top 10 nations globally in healthcare quality — supporting our national direction to cement the UAE's status as a trusted global partner in health partnerships, innovation, and cooperation."
For his part, Dr Thumbay Moideen, Founding President of Thumbay Group, said: "It is a great honour to welcome His Excellency Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi to Thumbay Medical City. When we established Gulf Medical University in 1998, our goal was to build an institution that would serve the United Arab Emirates for generations to come. This visit affirms that training medical professionals and investing in health research are an inseparable part of the country's comprehensive economic journey. We are grateful for the government's continued trust in the private sector, and we look forward to making further contributions to this nation, to which we are proud to belong."