‘ShukranJazilaan’ sets new benchmark

MUSCAT: Badr Al Samaa Group, Oman’s largest private healthcare provider, scripted a new chapter in employee-employer relationship in Oman, when over 1,200 staff members from all the nine branches of the hospital gathered recently at Golden Tulip Hotel in Ruwi to express their gratitude to the directors, Abdul Latheef, Dr V T Vinod and Dr P A Mohammed. This one-of-its kind event, fittingly titled ‘ShukranJazilaan’ reflected the warmth, trust and cordiality in the relationship between the employees and their directors in Oman’s most popular hospital group. The whole proceedings of the gala evening revolved around the theme ‘One for all, all for one’, eternalised by Alexander Dumas in his 19th century novel, Three Musketeers.

Mooted by leading doctors as well as senior management members, wholeheartedly endorsed by other support staff members, and attended by a cross section of Badr family, the event was aimed at honouring and felicitating the three founder directors of the hospital. The hospital which had a humble beginning in 2002 as a polyclinic in Ruwi witnessed a phenomenal growth during the last 16 years. The exceptional relationship and bonhomie between the three founder-directors and the staff members of the hospital has been immensely instrumental in making Badr Al Samaa a name to be reckoned with in Oman’s private sector healthcare firmament, with nine full-fledged facilities, over 400 doctors and 2,000 support staff members across GCC.

Talking about the concept behind ‘ShukranJazilaan’, Dr Benny Panakkal, Senior Consultant Interventional Cardiologist and Group Medical Director and one of Oman’s leading cardiologists, who welcomed the gathering said: “Over the past many years, we are being part of an institution which has provided us with excellent and conducive working environment and professional freedom to practice based on medical ethics. Many of the doctors and staff members were honoured by the board of directors during various occasions whereby they undoubtedly reiterated their adherence to the basic philosophy ‘Excellent Employees Build Excellent Organisation’. Being a part of this institution, many of us were lucky enough to witness the growth of Badr Al Samaa hence it’s strongly felt among us that we must loudly express our gratitude by honouring the directors.”

Dr Shafeek Mohammed, Group CEO, Dr Justine Augustine, General Manager, Alwin George, Group Finance Manager, Dr Basheer A, Specialist Internist and Dr Deepak S, General Surgeon, who spoke on the occasion, expressed their gratitude and satisfaction over being a part of the vibrant and professionally motivating working environment at Badr.

K. O Devassy, Chief Marketing Officer at the Group, corroborated, adding: “‘ShukranJazilaan’ was a spontaneous expression of love and gratitude from Badr family members and their emotional attachment to the directors. It also reflects the spirit of cordiality and mutual trust between the directors and the staff members that define the working culture in our institution. ”

Dr Poornima Kabad, Specialist Dermatologist, set the tone for the event with an audio- visual presentation titled ‘Dil Se Dil Talk’ which took the entire Badr family on a walk down memory lane, chronicling the major milestones in the 16-year journey of the Group. Subsequently, the three managing directors were given a red carpet welcome and were felicitated in the traditional Indian and Omani way with a shawl, as a mark of respect. They were also given mementos as a token of appreciation.

Dr Gerry D’ Costa, Specialist Psychiatrist and Dr Vijay Simha, Specialist Ophthalmologist, who compèred the proceedings, kept the evening alive with their engaging remarks and witty one-liners.

In their speeches, directors thanked the employees for this unique gesture of gratitude, their relentless commitment and loyalty to the hospital and their devotion to the sacred and noble profession of healthcare. They highlighted the importance of further strengthening this cordiality to steer the hospital to new heights of success.

The directors also thanked His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, the architect of Oman’s blessed Renaissance and prayed for his good health and longevity.

The formal felicitation ceremony was followed by a variety of cultural programmes.