Ghada Sawalmah of Gargash Hospital: ‘Healthcare business in UAE isn’t a boys’ club any more’

Ghada Sawalmah of Gargash Hospital: ‘Healthcare business in UAE isn’t a boys’ club any more’

Dubai: Planning a hospital's grand opening for March of 2020 - now, as far as initiations go, nothing can get tougher than that. Because everyone knows what’s been going around since March of last here, putting the healthcare services in the country - and everywhere else - to a once-in-a-lifetime test of mettle. It becomes even more so when it’s the company’s first healthcare venture in Dubai and when that facility is located in one of the most prominent spots in the city. But Ghada Sawalmah, CEO of Gargash Hospital in Jumeirah, has learnt to take all of this in her stride. “We are still consolidating our efforts, the specialities and doctors on our rolls,” said Ghada. “Some departments are expanding slightly. But there’s one thing I can say for sure - we will not be opening four or five satellite units as many healthcare businesses tend to do within the first five years of launch. And not with businesses still affected the way they were in 2020. “No hospital, no business, and not even the corner supermarket will be able to ignore COVID-19 impact until another two years have passed. Now, if anyone shows they haven’t been affected, they