Gulf Medical University (GMU), Ajman, the leading medical university in the Middle East region has promoted 11 faculty members to senior positions, (3 Professors and 8 Associate Professors) in the specialties of Physiotherapy, Pharmacology, Cytogenetics, Biochemistry, Pharmacy Practice, Periodontics, Oral Biology, Prosthodontics and Urology. The promotions were made on the basis of the promotion policy in accordance with the ‘Faculty Performance Review & Development System’, introduced this academic year.

The publications and scholarly pursuits of the eligible applicants were subjected to scrutiny by External Reviewers from US, UK, Poland, Jordan, Malaysia, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and UAE who are subject-matter experts in the applicants’ respective disciplines.

Dr. Thumbay Moideen, Founder, President – Board of Trustees, GMU, wished them the best in utilizing their new roles as an opportunity to support GMU to build on its achievements.

Prof. Hossam Hamdy, the Chancellor of GMU congratulated the newly promoted faculty members and said that he was confident that they would make significant contributions to the growth of the university, in their new roles.

Thumbay Hospital Day Care Rolla Hosted Iftaar Party on May 23rd in line with a commitment of engaging  its staff in all the socio- religious events of all the faiths throughout the year.

The Iftaar Party was attended by all the staff happily .A sumptuous Iftaar Buffet was laid on the second Floor with Table Spreads of Fresh Drinks, Dates and Cut Fruits to break the fast.

The event/evening also marked a Hallmark event at the hospital – Opening of Staff Recreation Gym by Asst.Medical Director, Dr.Ashish Sam Enos

This came as an Eid boon to all the staff as it is a remarkable endeavor of the Hospital Management and it’s commitment and  keenness to boost staff moral and health while they are at work. The hospital strongly believes and advocates Staff Health and wellness so that they in turn take Best Care of Patients Happily and tirelessly.

The gym features a Treadmill, Carrom Board, Dumbells, Hoola Hoops, Rings and also a Music System with  magnificient  Sports Theme based wallpapers all over.

Ms. Anu George has joined our hospital almost four years ago, she was described by her Incharge and Colleagues as “The Kind Hearted” who never says no to anything, she is flexible, accountable and always there to help. Anu was nominated five times, once by her doctor on the Unit and four times by patient’s families. She was described with her good attitude, quoting from the patient’s family “She is very approachable & cooperative”.

Another patient said “She is a good support with positive attitude, I saw her taking care of my child as if her own, Thank You clear sister, we will always remember you. You are doing a great job”

Mr. A. goes back to February 2018 and shares his experience at Thumbay hospital, he says “Me and my wife were blessed with baby boy who was admitted to NICU because of early birth (8 months). All nurses are very good in NICU and one male doctor as well, they are ANU GEORGE, RN, NICU very good in their work and they treated us very well at that time until the baby was discharged. Further, I Specially Thank this nurse for her work especially when the baby was shifted to a general ward, I heard that she was the one who debuted & gave all the instructions to my wife, she visited frequently and enquired about progress and given right instructions to my wife how to handle and feed him without stooding herself when it’s time for his change , she is the one who took care of the baby and gave clear instructions about vaccinations, the next follow-up and everything which we are very thankful to her. I don’t know if still she is there but even though i recommend her for this award. ”

Mrs. R. had a different story about a nurse who went above and beyond the call of duty, quoting her words, she said “Three weeks before my delivery by operation as emergency. My husband went to India for  emergency purpose, that time my elder daughter was alone with me. I met sister Anu while bringing me my baby, I spoke with her for few minutes & she supported me a lot. After the duty she comes to my room and gave food for my elder daughter. I asked her if possible to bring some clothes for me because i did not bring anything from house. Next day she was off, but still she came with clothes for me and my baby. I will never forget her in my life. she is a great nurse.

Chancellor Gulf Medical University, Prof. Hossam Hamdy welcomed a delegation from Saudi Cultural Attaché at Gulf Medical University (GMU) today. The delegation expressed their utmost satisfaction and appreciation of the
quality of education at GMU and how GMU is becoming one of the best destinations for studying medical and health professions education.  A special scholarship will be offered to the Saudi Students wanting to study at Gulf Medical University.

The Executive Board, Gulf Medical University Academic Health System (GMUAHS) approved the proposal by the College of Pharmacy to establish a Center for Drug Information and Evidence-based Pharmacy during its fifth meeting held on May 8, 2019. The College of Pharmacy at Gulf Medical University is now responsible for establishing and running the new Center for Drug Information and Evidence-based Pharmacy in the brand new Thumbay University Hospital at Thumbay Medicity, Ajman, UAE. The Center will function in Collaboration with Drug Information Centers in the Medical University of South Carolina and Washington State University, USA.

Thumbay Medicity is a hub of medical education, healthcare, and research. It houses the Gulf Medical University, Thumbay University Hospital, Thumbay Labs, Thumbay Pharmacy, Thumbay Dental Hospital, Thumbay Physical Therapy, and Rehabilitation Hospital. Outside Thumbay Medicity, Thumbay Chain Pharmacies are functioning in all emirates of UAE. In addition, Thumbay Chain Hospitals and Clinics in most of the Emirates in UAE make Thumbay group as one of the largest healthcare providers in the country.  These hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies are part of the Gulf Medical University

Academic Health System (GMUAHS). The Center for Drug Information and Evidence-based Pharmacy will be located in Thumbay University Hospital to serve the drug information and evidence-based pharmacy needs of hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies in GMUAHS.

Dr. Dixon Thomas, Chair, Department of Pharmacy Practice said, “The Center will provide guidance to health professionals in Thumbay group of hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies on safe, effective, quality, and affordable use of medication. By providing drug information support the center will support health professionals to develop informed decisions to establish evidence-based practice. The center will also provide guidance on creating protocols to develop standardized clinical pharmacy services.”

Prof. Sherief Khalifa, Dean College of Pharmacy commented, “ We are excited about establishing the Center for Drug Information and Evidence-based Pharmacy. This is a long awaited milestone for the College as it impacts both, the College educational programs as well as patient care in our affiliated hospitals. Such a center of Excellence in Pharmacy Services will redefine the role of the pharmacy profession and move it to higher standards and new frontiers in patient care.”

Thumbay Hospital Day Care – Rolla, Sharjah, one of the leading multispecialty day care hospitals under the Healthcare Division of Thumbay Group, celebrated International Nurses Day 2019 with a variety of programs on 12th May 2019.

The theme for this year was ‘Nurses: A voice to lead – Health for All’. The celebrations at the hospital were officially started with the lighting of the lamp and professional oath taking ceremony, held in the presence of Dr. Ashish Sam Enos – Assistant Medical Director of the hospital, Mr. Vijay Thomas – Operations Manager, and other members of the administrative team of the hospital.

As a part of the celebrations, the hospital also organized a special interactive session for the students of Al Ameer International School, Ajman, with the doctors and nurses of the hospital.  This Interaction helped students to understand the typical work day of a Nurse at a hospital. The hospital also conducted free medical and dental checkup at the Elderly Nursing Home, Ajman as part of this year’s celebrations.

The nurses of the hospital were awarded certificates of appreciation and special gifts, as a mark of gratitude for their selfless services and dedication.

Gulf Medical University (GMU), Ajman the leading medical university in the Middle East region has expanded its growing network of partner universities worldwide by signing a MoU with The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, one of China’s leading institutions of research, medical service, medical education, preventive care and rehabilitation, for joint undertakings in academia and research. An agreement to this effect was signed by both the universities, recently.

Prof. Hossam Hamdy – the Chancellor of GMU and Dr. Xiao Haipeng – Vice President of Sun Yat-sen University and President of The First Affiliated Hospital signed the MoU representing their respective universities. The MoU envisions educational, training and research cooperation, including joint educational/training activities, joint research efforts, academic exchanges, faculty/student exchanges.

The collaboration also includes the joint delivery of the Executive Master in Healthcare Management and Economics (EMHME), offered by GMU’s College of Healthcare Management & Economics. GMU’s College of Healthcare Management & Economics is the first full-fledged college of its kind in the Middle East region, offering bachelors and masters programs designed to cater to the constantly growing health industry.  The college offers the Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management and Economics (BSc. HME) – a four-year program, as well as an Executive Masters in Healthcare Management and Economics (EMHME) – a 12-month program designed to benefit middle to senior level professionals in the healthcare industry. These programs will support all aspects of the healthcare industry including finance, economics and insurance.

Prof. Hossam Hamdy said that GMU’s association with The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, would open up avenues for greater professional collaboration and exchanges between both universities. “This is in line with our vision to be a leading international academic healthcare institution through the integration of quality health professions education, healthcare and research. Both the institutions uphold futuristic vision and high standards. We are confident that this partnership would benefit the medical education, healthcare and research sectors in the UAE and beyond, facilitating continuing professional development in these areas, in the long run.”

GMU provides a number of collaborative programs with distinguished academic institutes and universities, such as the University of Arizona, University of Paris, Medical University of Lublin – Poland, Tokyo Medical and Dental University – Japan etc. This is part of the internationalization of GMU, offering its students the chance to learn and get training in the USA, Europe, China, Japan and France. GMU receives students from more than 80 countries as its reputation and image extends beyond the region.

A 43-year old Indian security guard working in Sharjah regained his leg movement and bladder control after undergoing an emergency surgery for Acute Cauda Equina Syndrome, helping him overcome his abrupt onset of severe back pain which was so excruciating that he could barely stand up.

Abdul Majeed, working as a security guard in Sharjah, had been experiencing frequent back-pains for some time, for which he used to occasionally take pain-killers. However, one recent morning, he woke up with severe back pain. Soon the back pain increased, gradually extending to his left leg. An alarming fact was that along with the pain, he also had difficulty in passing urine.

Abdul Majeed visited a hospital, where he was given an injection for pain relief. However, the pain persisted, and he visited yet another hospital, which gave him another couple of injections. When the pain wouldn’t go away, he visited Thumbay Hospital Day Care in Rolla, Sharjah, where they referred him to Thumbay Hospital, Ajman.

At Thumbay Hospital – Ajman, Abdul Majeed consulted Dr. Hillol Kanti Pal, Consultant – Neurosurgery. During preliminary investigations, it was revealed to the doctor that the patient hadn’t passed urine for more than 48 hours. After detailed clinical examinations, Dr. Hillol diagnosed his condition as Acute Cauda Equina Syndrome, an uncommon disorder that affects the bundle of nerve roots (called Cauda Equina) at the lower end of the spinal cord. The Cauda Equina, when severely compressed, results in loss of sensation in the private parts with weakness at the ankle, also affecting bladder and bowel functions. In Abdul Majeed’s case, his Cauda Equina had been compressed by a large disc hernia at his lumbar spine.

Failure to diagnose Cauda Equina Syndrome early on can lead to serious complications including permanent paralysis of the muscles of one or both legs as well as permanent loss of bladder/bowel control. Usually, when the Cauda Equina is affected in a patient acutely as in his case, it has to be operated on within 48 hours of onset for maximal recovery.

When Abdul Majeed consulted Dr. Hillol, it was almost 72 hours after the onset of weakness and numbness of his left ankle and loss of bladder function. So, Dr. Hillol decided to go for immediate surgical intervention. The surgery, which lasted 2 hours, took out the disc which was compressing the Cauda Equina.

“Surgical decompression within 48 hours of diagnosis is an emergency step for treating Cauda Equina syndrome effectively. Delay in surgical intervention could result in permanent loss of bladder control and the need for indwelling catheter, seriously impacting the employment prospects of patients like Abdul Majeed,” said Dr. Hillol, explaining the importance of early detection and treatment.

Abdul Majeed not only regained the sensation and power of his left ankle and could pass urine on his own, by the time of discharge from hospital.

GMU has signed an MOU with CUCA to cooperate in the fields of Higher Education, Technology and Research to better utilize the resources available at their respective premises and to contribute to the economic and social development of United Arab Emirates.

Professor. Hossam Hamdy – Chancellor of Gulf Medical University, participated and represented the University with his lecture on Future of Medical Education on April, 27th -28th 2019, at The 2nd AMEE in China Conference “Sun Yat-sen International Forum on Medical Education” at Guangzhou, China.

Assessment for Purpose: Quality Assuring the Right Doctors for 21st Century China

About Gulf Medical University

Gulf Medical University (GMU) established in 1998 is a leading medical university in the Gulf region. GMU offers Medical and Health Professional Education in the field of Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Nursing, Medical Laboratory Sciences, Anesthesia & Surgical Technology, and Medical Imaging Sciences. GMU offers postgraduate programs in Toxicology, Public Health, Clinical Pathology. In addition, the university also offers Short Term Certificate Courses for Health workforce development and career enhancement. GMU differentiates itself having its own network of hospitals, clinics, and institutes.