His Excellency Awadh Seghayer Al Ketbi, Director General of the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), met on Monday with a delegation from KIMS Hospitals Group, which is based in Hyderabad, India. The delegation was led by Dr Rakesh Jalla, Senior Vice President for International Business and Partnerships, and the meeting focused on exploring opportunities for collaboration in specialised healthcare, diagnostics, medical education, and scientific research.
The two sides discussed potential cooperation in training programmes, improving patient experience, sharing expertise, and facilitating professional exchange between medical personnel in the UAE and India. They also examined the possibility of patient referrals from the UAE to KIMS hospitals in India, aiming to enhance healthcare integration and expand access to specialised treatment options.
The meeting, attended by several DHA executives, also addressed plans to bolster diagnostic capabilities in Dubai through the establishment of KIMS Group’s first international diagnostic centre in the UAE. The centre will provide advanced, specialised diagnostic services in line with global standards.
The meeting comes as UAE–India relations continue to strengthen, particularly following the recent official visit of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, to India. The visit opened new avenues for cooperation across a range of vital sectors, including healthcare.
During the meeting, HE Awadh Seghayer Al Ketbi reaffirmed the Dubai Health Authority’s commitment to expanding international partnerships and attracting world-class medical expertise. He noted that this aligns with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to place human health at the forefront of government planning. It also supports directives from HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed to strengthen Dubai’s preparedness and global leadership in the healthcare sector.
Al Ketbi highlighted the Authority’s interest in forging a strategic partnership with KIMS Hospitals Group, one of South Asia’s leading healthcare institutions with long-standing expertise in specialised care. He added that the DHA continues to foster a favourable investment environment, supported by advanced infrastructure and flexible regulations, enhancing Dubai’s competitiveness as a regional healthcare and investment hub.
He stressed that such partnerships serve as key drivers for the goals of the “Dubai Economic Agenda D33,” and support wider government efforts to cultivate a business environment conducive to growth. He also underlined the vital role of the private sector as a strategic partner in advancing Dubai’s healthcare ecosystem.
The KIMS Hospitals delegation commended Dubai for offering flexible and collaborative partnership opportunities, reflecting the emirate’s clear vision to empower global medical institutions in advancing healthcare delivery. The delegation expressed pride in partnering with the Dubai Health Authority and operating in a city that leads the region in healthcare progress.
During the meeting, the delegation outlined the group’s services and achievements, which include operating 16 specialised hospitals with a combined capacity of over 5,000 beds, serving more than 600,000 patients annually. The hospitals cover more than 25 medical specialties, including organ transplantation, cardiology, oncology, neurosciences, robotic surgery, and other advanced disciplines.
The group also highlighted the capabilities of its flagship hospital in Hyderabad, which houses 1,000 beds and holds five quality accreditations — making it the most accredited hospital of its kind, the largest private hospital in South India, and one of the most distinguished in the country for quality, specialisation, and innovation.
The KIMS delegation expressed their aspiration to build a long-term partnership with the Dubai Health Authority to support improved patient experiences, enhance quality of life, and reinforce Dubai’s position as a regional hub for advanced healthcare.
