Mariecar Jara-Puyod, Senior Reporter

Dubai Health Authority (DHA)-Board chairman/director general Humaid Al Qutami on Monday said the prestigious “Annual Health Awards” will be expanded to recognise and give due honour to excelling as well as dedicated public and private health individuals throughout the Gulf Cooperating Council (GCC) and eventually around the world.

Al Qutami made the announcement when he spoke before over 500 guests at the third edition of the awards, wherein His Highness Sheikh Humaid Bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Member of the UAE Supreme Council and Ruler of Ajman, was bestowed the “Personality of the Year Award” for his contribution to the UAE’s healthcare and research sector.

Sheikh Humaid was not at the ceremonies. But he personally received the citation on a separate occasion.

Forty-two personalities and institutions were chosen as the crème-dela-crème in 24 categories.

There were 500 nominations coming from 146 companies and 426 people. They went through jury interviews.

Eleven were awardees for their invaluable contributions to the healthcare industry across the seven-state GCC. They were dubbed as “Distinguished Healthcare Trendsetters.” They were Hamad Taryam Al Shamsi, Ali Reza, Dr. Abdulrahim Mustafawi, Dr. Jumana Belhoul, Dr. Sayed Jaffar, Dr. Azzan Bin Brik, Dr. Hajar Hosani, Dr. Hussain Abdulrahman, Dr. Aisha Sultan, Dr. Nadia Al Bastaki, and Amal Al Shamlan.

A segment of the audience erupted into a rousing applause when programme emcee Khalid Al Ameri, social media commentator, announced that UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention-Public Health Policy & Licensing Sector assistant undersecretary Dr. Amin Al Amiri, was the second recipient of the “Executives in Healthcare” category award after Prime Hospital medical director Dr. Mohamed Rafique.

The third to be given the same recognition was DHA- Primary Health Care Sector chief executive officer Dr Manal Mohammad Taryam.

Al Ameri mentioned of his personal elation over Taryam’s win.

Taryam told Gulf Today she was informed of her nomination and that she went for the jury interview.

She was happy that her colleagues at the sector she leads were also given due recognition in the “Innovative Technology” category (DHA-Dental Services Department, Dubai), “Treating People of Determination” category (DHA-Primary Health Care Sector, Dubai), and “Women in Healthcare” category (DHA-Dental Services Department, Dubai consultant/director Dr. Hamda Sultan Al Mesmar.

Taryam said the sector is moving towards integrated healthcare and social care for the people of determination or people with disabilities.

Another winner, Canadian Specialist Hospital-Dubai-Obstetrics & Gynaecology consultant Dr. Marlain Mubarak, endemetriosis awareness advocate, is looking forward to completing two research works with the American University Dubai. She said the win is for the sufferers of endemetriosis whom she encouraged to be hopeful as there are solutions to their quandary.

In his speech, Al Qutami noted that the awards, in collaboration with the “Health Magazine” of the Thumbay Group, has been responsible for “creating a positive (innovative) competitive environment amongst individuals and companies working in healthcare contributing to achieving the goals of UAE Vision 2021 that aims to provide a first-class health system.” This bolstered the innovation know-how of and spirit of teamwork and cooperation among health professionals leading to much improved quality services not only in Dubai but across the country.

“Due to the success of the award over the last two years, I would like to announce that the Annual Health Awards will be expanding to also include public and private health facilities and health professionals working in GCC countries, with future plans to open the competition to regional and international applicants.” Al Qutami and Thumbay Group founder/president and “Health Magazine” publisher Dr. Thumbay Moideen presented the awards.

Dignitaries spotted were from the MoHaP and public health entities.

The event was also graced by former Miss World Manushi Chhillar; Bollywood celebrity Sonu Sood; social media influencers Salama Mohamed, Jumana Khan, Ajmal Khan, and Farhana Bodi; and Miss World Egypt 2018 Mony Helal.