Thumbay Group, founded in 1997 by Dr Thumbay Moideen, has entered its 30th year of operations in the United Arab Emirates, marking nearly three decades of growth from a pioneering medical education initiative into a diversified academic healthcare group headquartered in Dubai.
The group’s journey began when Dr Moideen was invited by the ruling family of Ajman to establish a private medical college, an opportunity described as unprecedented for an expatriate at the time. Gulf Medical College opened in 1998 and subsequently evolved into Gulf Medical University (GMU), which the group describes as the No. 1 private medical university in the Gulf.
Today, Thumbay Group operates across academic, healthcare and allied sectors, with its network extending across education, hospitals, clinics, diagnostics, pharmacies and other businesses.
From medical college to academic healthcare ecosystem
Gulf Medical University has grown substantially since its establishment. The university currently comprises seven colleges and more than 50 accredited programmes, with around 5,000 students representing more than 111 nationalities.
The university has also established academic and research collaborations with more than 70 international universities and institutions. According to the group, approximately AED 10 million is invested annually in research grants, reflecting its focus on strengthening research and innovation alongside medical education.
Through its academic ecosystem, Thumbay Group has positioned medical education and healthcare delivery as closely interconnected components of its operations.
Healthcare network serves millions of patients
Thumbay Group’s healthcare network has expanded into what it describes as one of the region’s largest private academic healthcare systems. The network includes academic hospitals, clinics, medical centres, diagnostic laboratories and pharmacies.
The group’s healthcare facilities have treated more than 19 million patients from 175 nationalities and have conducted over 100,000 deliveries.
At the centre of this healthcare ecosystem is Thumbay Medicity in Al Jurf, Ajman, a 25-acre integrated healthcare and education destination.
The facility includes the 350-bed Thumbay University Hospital, described by the group as the region’s largest private academic hospital, along with Thumbay Dental Hospital and Thumbay Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Hospital.
The integrated facility receives around 15,000 visitors every day, bringing together healthcare services, education and clinical training within a single destination.
New projects expand academic healthcare footprint
Thumbay Group is continuing to expand its academic healthcare infrastructure in the UAE.
Over the past year, foundation stones were laid for a 120-bed psychiatric and rehabilitation hospital at Sharjah Healthcare City, as well as the Thumbay Veterinary Teaching Hospital and Thumbay College of Veterinary Medicine at Thumbay Medicity.
The group has also announced the Thumbay International Research Centre, which is expected to house the university’s research programmes and the Thumbay Research Institute for Precision Medicine.
Another major project in the pipeline is Thumbay Medicity Dubai, which is expected to create around 1,000 jobs.
The group has also announced UAE-first academic programmes in longevity medicine in partnership with Switzerland’s Geneva College of Longevity Science.
International pathway for medical education
Expanding opportunities for students seeking international exposure is another focus of the group’s academic strategy.
Through the Thumbay International Pathway Programme, students can complete their foundation studies in the UAE and undertake clinical training at partner universities in Europe, with the programme leading towards globally recognised degrees.
The initiative forms part of the group’s broader effort to connect medical education in the UAE with international academic and clinical institutions.
Dr Thumbay Moideen receives recognition
The group’s founder, Dr Thumbay Moideen, has received several recognitions for his contributions to business, education and healthcare.
In October 2024, he was honoured with the Rajyotsava Award, Karnataka’s second-highest civilian honour. In January 2026, he received the New Year Award from the Academy of General Education, Manipal, jointly with the Manipal Academy of Higher Education.
He also holds five honorary doctorates from universities across three continents.
Reflecting on the group’s journey, Dr Thumbay Moideen said, “What started in 1997 is now an iconic company in the United Arab Emirates.”
The group attributes its growth to its philosophy of “Growth through Innovation”, which continues to guide its expansion across medical education and healthcare.
Focus on future growth
As Thumbay Group enters its 30th year in the UAE, its future plans remain centred on expanding its academic healthcare network and strengthening medical education, research and healthcare delivery.
The group has stated an ambition to build what it describes as the world’s largest network of medical education centres.
With new hospitals, research facilities, academic programmes and international partnerships in development, the group is seeking to further expand its footprint while continuing to integrate education, research and clinical healthcare.
Thumbay Group at a glance
- 29 years of operations in the UAE, entering its 30th year
- 26 brands across 15 business sectors
- 19 million+ patients treated from 175 nationalities
- 7 academic hospitals, clinics and medical centres
- 46 pharmacies and a major regional diagnostic laboratory network
- 100,000+ deliveries conducted
- 350-bed Thumbay University Hospital
- 5,000 students at Gulf Medical University
- 7 colleges and 50+ accredited programmes
- Students from 111+ nationalities
- 70+ international academic and research collaborations
- Around 4,000 employees
- Approximately AED 10 million invested annually in research grants
- AED 60 million+ committed through the Care & Share scholarship programme
Thumbay Group’s entry into its 30th year represents a significant milestone in its UAE journey. From the establishment of Gulf Medical College in 1998 to its present academic healthcare ecosystem, the group’s growth has been shaped by its focus on medical education, healthcare delivery, research and innovation.
As it moves into the next phase, its expanding infrastructure and new academic initiatives are expected to further strengthen its presence in the UAE’s healthcare and education sectors.