H.E. AbdulRahman bin Mohamed Al Owais, Minister of Health and Prevention, UAE, nominated Dr. Shamsheer Vayalil, Managing Director of Abu Dhabi based VPS Healthcare as a member of the UAE Medical Council set up by the Ministry of Health and Prevention. The Council held its first meeting to welcome the new members of the council and discuss opportunities and challenges in developing the country's healthcare sector. Chaired by His Excellency AbdulRahman bin Mohamed Al Owais, Minister of Health and Prevention, UAE, the meeting was held on Tuesday at the Ministry of Health in Dubai.

The council has been established under the decision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The Medical Council includes, H.E. AbdulRahman bin Mohamed Al Owais, Minister of Health and Prevention, UAE; Dr. Mohammad Salim Al Olama, The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health and Prevention; H.E. Humaid Mohammed Obaid Al Qatami, Chairman, Dubai Health Authority; H.E. Prof. Maha Taysir Barakat, Director General, Health Authority of Abu Dhabi. It also includes Dr. Shamsheer Vayalil, Managing Director of VPS Healthcare; Dr. B R Shetty, Executive Vice Chairman and CEO, NMC Healthcare; Dr. Abdul Hadi Al Ahbabi, Deputy Director of the Medical Office; H.E. Dr Abdul Aziz Al Muhairi, Director of Sharjah Health Authority; His Excellency Dr. Youssif Al Serkal, Assistant Undersecretary for the Ministry of Health & Prevention Hospitals Sector; Colonel Jassem Al Tunaiji, Head of the Medical Services Department at Abu Dhabi; Dr Ramadan Al Blooshi, Chief Executive Officer, Dubai Healthcare City Authority – Regulation (DHCR); Colonel Ahmed Faisal, Corps Commander of the Medical Equipment in Armed Forces, Abu Dhabi; Mr. Baty Obaid Al Mullah, Manager of American Hospital, Dubai and Director of Mohd. & Obaid Al Mulla LLC.

"It is a great honor to be a part of this council along with the rest of the prominent members. The country's healthcare sector is making great efforts in improving the healthcare services being provided and it is a pleasure to work hand-in-hand with the Ministry of Health and Prevention. We are striving to keep in line with the UAE Government's vision to achieve the highest standards of excellence in healthcare and I am pretty confident this council - with both government and private players - will lead UAE to become a world medical hub," said Dr. Shamsheer Vayalil, Managing Director, VPS Healthcare.

The major focus of the council will remain on coordinating and streamlining the efforts of federal and local health authorities and to improve the health services of the country. The first council meeting discussed a number of issues pertaining to the current healthcare scenario of the Country. Important decisions were also taken on topics such as new health facilities, neonatology, healthcare services for people with disabilities amongst others.