Official Speech of the Chief Guest Mr. Chris Kang’ombe, Principal Secretary of Health, Government of Malawi during the inauguration of GMC Hospital in Blantyre, Malawi.28th April 2010, Victoria Hotel, Blantyre

Mr. Thumbay Moideen, Founder President of GMC Hospitals, Mr. Faisal Kassam, CEO of Shifa Medical Services, invited guests, all protocol observed, ladies and gentlemen

I am pleased to note the new addition to our existing healthcare facilities in the country by inaugurating GMC Hospital Malawi this afternoon. I am sure that with a long history backing the group and with their expertise and experience in offering affordable and high quality healthcare in UAE, many people in Malawi will benefit from this high class medical facility.

GMC hospitals have a unique record of being the first private teaching hospital in United Arab Emirates, where they train their students of College of Medicine and College of Allied Health Sciences of Gulf Medical University in Ajman, UAE. Gulf Medical University is in the forefront of offering various programs that match international standards with students from over 49 nationalities studying in the campus and faculty and staff from over 14 nationalities work at the university.

GMC Hospital Malawi stands out as a perfect blend of international expertise and local experience. International team of doctors ably supported by 8 very successful Malawian entrepreneurs who have invested resources in terms of local support and capital, to offer various healthcare services at very affordable costs, which is most welcome for all of us.

I appreciate the efforts of the management of the hospital under the leadership of Mr. Thumbay Moideen along with Mr. Faisal Kassam CEO of Shifa Group and eight other directors, who have set-up an excellent centre offering wide range of services. Much the same way as what they do in UAE, Mr. Moideen has come forward to offer more unique facilities and services at GMC Hospital in Malawi, by adding “Telemedicine Facility” for the first time in this country. GMC Doctors can reach their experts online, in GMC Hospital Ajman for a second opinion on any medical condition. This will save a lot of cost and time for the patients in getting proper and timely medical advice. I would like to congratulate Mr. Thumbay Moideen and CEO and Directors of Shifa for making this happen in GMC hospital Malawi. I am sure that many patients will benefit from such facilities. This will also help in the country in saving Forex, as we spend a lot of money on sending our patients abroad for medical treatment.

The Ministry of Health Malawi will encourage such developments and support activities which would benefit the citizens of Malawi and beyond. I would also like to congratulate GMC Hospitals for organizing the Seminar on Combating Communicable Diseases by involving experts from WHO and UNFPA. They will discuss various impending issues that we face today. I hope they continue to do such events at regular intervals.

Ladies and gentlemen, I once again congratulate the leadership, management and the entire team at GMC Hospitals and wish them all the success in their venture. On behalf of the Ministry of Health, Government of Malawi, I would also assure them of our complete cooperation and support, to enable them render cost effective healthcare services to the people of Malawi.

Thank you for inviting me for this function.