Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri visits Thumbay Medicity in Ajman

Thumbay Medicity was honoured to welcome Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism, to its Ajman campus. The visit underscores the growing importance of healthcare, medical education and health tourism as key pillars of the UAE’s diversified, knowledge-driven economy.

Al Marri was received by Dr Thumbay Moideen, Founder President of Thumbay Group, alongside Akbar Moideen Thumbay, Vice President – Healthcare Division, and senior members of the Group’s academic and clinical leadership.

In this context, Al Marri said: “Medical and longevity tourism are promising sectors experiencing rapid growth, globally. The UAE continues to develop its infrastructure and capabilities in this field, attracting visitors and patients from various markets and enhancing the competitiveness of its tourism sector. These efforts also contribute to the country’s vision of establishing itself as a leading global hub for advanced and sustainable health and wellness.”

Al Marri added: “The Thumbay Group exemplifies the private sector’s role in enhancing the competitiveness of the UAE’s medical and longevity tourism landscape on the global stage. The Group has become a destination for students from over 111 countries and patients from across the region. Institutions such as the Thumbay Healthcare City contribute to developing specialised experiences and services, reinforcing the UAE’s leadership as a global hub attracting talent, stimulating innovation, and providing health and education services according to the highest international standards.”

Al Marri toured the Gulf Medical University, the leading private medical university in the region, along with the academic hospitals of Thumbay Medicity, including Thumbay University Hospital, Thumbay Dental Hospital and Thumbay Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Hospital. The Minister of Economy and Tourism was briefed on the Medicity’s integrated model, where education, patient care and research operate side by side, as well as Gulf Medical University’s journey since its establishment in 1998. Today, the University attracts students from more than 111 countries, making it one of the most internationally diverse student bodies of any medical university in the world.

The discussions focused on the contribution of private-sector healthcare and academic institutions to the national economy, the UAE’s emergence as a global destination for health and wellness tourism, and the role of institutions like Thumbay Medicity in attracting international patients, students and investment to the country.

Commenting on the visit, Dr Thumbay Moideen, Founder President of Thumbay Group, said: “It is a privilege to welcome Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism, to Thumbay Medicity. When we established Gulf Medical University in 1998, we set out to build institutions that would serve the UAE for generations – educating doctors, healing patients and advancing research from Emirati soil for the world. The Minister’s visit is a recognition of how far that vision has come, and of the role healthcare and medical education now play in achieving the nation’s vision for tourism. We are proud to stand behind the UAE’s ambition to be a global hub for health tourism and knowledge-based industries.”

The visit concluded with the Minister of Economy and Tourism touring the Medicity’s research and innovation facilities, where Al Marri reviewed key projects and initiatives. The Minister also met with faculty, clinicians and students, and heard about their experiences and perspectives on the Medicity’s educational and research environment.