Billionaire doctor funds health dreams for high school pupils
An Abu Dhabi schoolboy’s dream to help his brother’s battle with epilepsy could become a reality – thanks to the support of a billionaire doctor and health entrepreneur.
Ahmed Al Romaithi, 15, has come up with an idea for a technology that would alert parents or caregivers if a child is having a seizure.
It is a cause close to his heart because his brother suffers from the disorder.
“He would have a seizure in the middle of the night and we wouldn’t know about it,” Ahmed said.
The venture will get going thanks to the support of VPS Healthcare, which has set up a Dh1 million fund to support six healthcare projects developed by Emirati high school pupils.
Dr Shamsheer Vayalil, the founder and managing director of VPS Healthcare, was so impressed with the six finalists’ competition projects, including Ahmed’s, that he decided to fund all of them.
In October, a competition was launched for the best healthcare business plan in a partnership between Abu Dhabi’s Al Bayt Mitwahid Association and VPS Healthcare. From 22 teams of more than 100 Emirati high school pupils, six teams of 22 pupils made it to the finals. But there was to be no winner.
“While listening to the business plans presented by the pupils, Dr Vayalil was so impressed that he got up and said, ‘I know I have to select one winner, but I want to fund all of your projects’,” a VPS spokesperson said.
The cash will be used to set up business incubators for all of the projects. Business incubators are used to help fledgling companies or projects to develop by providing services such as management training and office space, offering the tools to put a plan into practice.
The pupils will also get the opportunity to visit the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania for a two-week intensive summer experience at the Global Young Leaders Academy.
The academy will give pupils a taste of accounting, marketing, management and finance. Pupils are required to develop a team-based business plan at the end.
Medeor 24x7 Hospital is covering the Dh18,770 cost of the programme.
“We want to be a part of the community and help develop key opinion leaders from the younger generation to lead the evolution of the UAE healthcare industry,” said Dr Arun Menon, Al Ain regional director for VPS Healthcare.
“Health care is not only about doctors and nurses. This business plan competition is a great platform for pupils to
We are amazed by the enthusiasm of the pupils and we expect much larger participation at this year’s competition DR ARUN MENON VPS Healthcare official
learn about the healthcare industry and make informed choices about their careers in the healthcare sector. We are truly amazed by the enthusiasm of the pupils and we are gearing up for much larger participation for this year’s competition,” Dr Menon said.
The pupils will go on their American journey from July 21 to August 4.
The competition is all part of an attempt to encourage more Emiratis to get involved in the health professions.
“Very few Emiratis are in health care and clearly that is a challenge. The reason, according to studies, is cultural as far as nurses are concerned because it isn’t seen as a prestigious profession and it can take up to 14 years of education [to qualify]. Lastly, they don’t see too many people like themselves in health care so that mentorship and role models aren’t there,” the VPS spokesperson said.
Last year’s competition was a pilot programme and there will be another version of the competition this year, open to all Emiratis across the UAE.
“Ultimately this is a project that would benefit the private sector and the government,” said Abdulla Al Neyadi, chairman of Al Bayt Mitwahid’s executive committee.