MANGALURU, Aug 14: Thumbay Group, founded in 1997 and headquartered in Dubai, has successfully entered its 30th year of operations in the United Arab Emirates, announced Dr. Thumbay Moideen, Founder and President of Thumbay Group, at a press conference held at Thumbay Hills on Thursday.
Dr. Moideen said the group has grown into one of the region’s leading conglomerates in medical education, healthcare and community initiatives over the past three decades.
The journey began in 1998 when Dr. Moideen was invited by the ruling family of Ajman to establish a private medical college. The Gulf Medical College later evolved into Gulf Medical University (GMU), now recognised as the No.1 private medical university in the Gulf.
Key Milestones*
GMU currently operates seven colleges with over 50 accredited programs. It has around 5,000 students from 111 nationalities and academic and research collaborations with more than 70 international universities and institutions. The group invests nearly 10 million AED annually in research grants.
Thumbay Group’s healthcare network has treated over 19 million patients from 175 nationalities and conducted more than 100,000 deliveries. The network includes academic hospitals, clinics, medical centres, diagnostic laboratories and 46 pharmacies.
At the centre of this ecosystem is Thumbay Medicity in Al Jurf, Ajman — a 25-acre integrated health and education hub. It houses the 350-bed Thumbay University Hospital, the largest private academic hospital in the region, along with Thumbay Dental Hospital and Thumbay Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Hospital. The facility receives approximately 15,000 visitors daily.
Future Projects*
The group has laid the foundation for a 120-bed psychiatry and rehabilitation hospital in Sharjah Healthcare City. Other upcoming projects include Thumbay Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Thumbay Veterinary College and the Thumbay International Research Centre for Precision Medicine.
The upcoming Thumbay Medicity in Dubai is expected to create nearly 1,000 jobs. In partnership with Geneva College of Longevity Science, Switzerland, the group has also announced the UAE’s first academic programs in longevity medicine.
Through the Thumbay International Pathway Program, students can complete foundation studies in the UAE and clinical training at partner universities in Europe.
Dr. Moideen also said the group plans to create employment opportunities in villages like Thumbay in Karnataka in the next 2-3 years.
Honours*
Dr. Moideen was conferred the Rajyotsava Award, Karnataka’s second-highest civilian honour, in October 2024. In January 2026, he received the New Year Award jointly instituted by the Academy of General Education and MAHE, Manipal. He holds five honorary doctorates from universities across three continents.
About Thumbay Group*
- 29 years in UAE, entering 30th year
- 26 brands across 15 business verticals
- 19+ million patients treated
- 7 academic hospitals and medical centres
- 5,000 students at GMU
- 4,000+ employees
- 60+ million AED committed through ‘Care & Share’ scholarship program
