Shifa Al-Jazeera CEO Dr Rabeeullah honored in UK
Lifetime achievement award for philanthropic activities
KUWAIT CITY, July 24: Dr K T Rabeeullah has been honoured at the British Parliament with a ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ for his philanthropic activities. The award, constituted by the Rotary International — Trivandrum Royal, was presented by Dr Geoffrey Clements, the Chairman of Commonwealth Association for Infrastructure Development, on Wednesday.
The award comes at a time when the UK is enhancing its efforts to attract philanthropical support in the health care and seeking investments in health care from the Commonwealth following the Brexit.
While inaugurating the function, Virendra Sharma, veteran member of British Parliament, said “it is my privilege to honour him at the British Parliament, the mother of modern democracy. I had come to know about the extent of Rabeeullah’s contributions to the society and humanity only very recently and today I am proud to sit next to him,” the MP said.
Treats
Siddeeque Valiyakath — Executive Director and CEO of Shifa Al Jazeera Medical Group, Oman said Dr Rabeeullah is a living legend and role model for philanthropists. He treats both rich and poor equally and a symbol of kindness and humanity. We may find one in million such a kind person.
Rabeeullah is Chairman and Managing Director of the Shifa Al Jazeera Medical Group, Royal Shifa Hospitals and Naseem Al Rabeeh Medical Group, the largest medical service provider in the GCC.
Rabeeullah had won applause after he launched extensive charity initiatives in the Middle East and India. Recently he started a charity initiative of 10 Crore Indian Rupees ($1.5 Million) to be distributed within three years for the social-backward families.
He also contributed Rs 50,000 ($ 750) each to the families of those killed in the fireworks accident at the Puttingal Temple at Paravur, Kerala, India. The victims from nearly 300 families benefited from the relief package. In addition, he has offered jobs for the qualified members of the victims’ families to the group’s establishments in the GCC.
He spread a charity net around his native village of East Kodur, identifying major concerns of the area. He implemented a pension scheme in the village and constructed a sports stadium, named after his father Mohammed Fazalullah. By offering free auto rikshaws to unemployed youth he helped strengthen livelihood for dozens of families. He offered scholarships to economically-backward students boosting their educational prospects.
Starting off as a small clinic 36 years ago, his network of healthcare centers has spread wings across Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and the UAE, consisting 32 medical facilities offering super-specialty healthcare treatment for the common man and making it affordable and accessible to all. With over 6000 staff, including doctors and paramedical staff, the group is the largest medical service providers in the GCC.
Realising the sufferings and poverty of the patients, way back in 1980’s, he brought down the consultation fee of Saudi Riyals 150 to a SR 10 and he maintains the fee offer even today.
Honor
The recognition at the UK parliament has added a new feather to his crowned cap. Dr Rabeeullah has received many awards including the prestigious ‘Pravasi Bharatiya Samman’ the highest honor accorded to Indians overseas for their pioneering role in enhancing India’s image globally. He figured in recent issue of Forbes Rich list in the Gulf.
In his reply, Dr Rabeeullah said I am humbled with kind words mentioned by speakers and the award makes me more responsible and commitment to dedicate myself to serve the community especially the poor section of the people. We will also extending our services to UK and USA. In UK we will be opening dermatology/ cosmetology & dental clinic soon. Success is not the key to happiness, but happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful at it. Positive thinking, an uncompromising attitude to truth and ethics, focus on actions, acquisition of knowledge, staying focused and being patient, persistent and hardworking are the ingredients of success,” says Rabeeullah.
Rabeeullah is the son of late Mohammed Fazalullah and Mariyumma, who hails from East Kodoor, Malappuram District in Indian state of Kerala. Zahra Banu is his wife and has four daughters — Niveena Miandad, Naziha Munthasar, Nada Rabeeh, Amal Rabeeh and only son Fazal Rabeeh. Miandad and Munthasar Majeed are sons-in-law.