Women of the UAE: On a mission to save lives

An Emirati doctor is bringing experience in public medicine to ensure patients get the best care in the private sector.

Dr Ibtesam Al Bastaki , director of VPS Healthcare, at her office in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

DUBAI // Dr Ibtesam Al Bastaki is a woman on a mission to bring the world’s best healthcare services to patients in the UAE.

The Emirati is one of only a few doctors who have crossed over to the private sector from a top government position.

“Life has risks and opportunities; you have to grab it otherwise you will not gain any experience, this is my philosophy,” said Dr Al Bastaki, director of VPS Healthcare.

“I moved because of the challenge. I always love to try something different.

“A lot of people discouraged me but I made up my mind and, once I take the decision, I do it so nobody can stop me.”

After returning to the UAE in 1999 from studying in Dublin, Dr Al Bastaki worked 32-hour shifts at an Abu Dhabi hospital gaining hands-on experience with patients.

She set up an airport medical unit in Dubai, established a business development section in the Dubai Health Authority, was then headhunted to join the Prime Minister’s office, and then moved back to the DHA before taking her current job.

“Having an Emirati in a leadership role in the private sector does send out an important message, because it empowers others,” said Dr Shajir Gaffar, chief executive of Burjeel Hospital for Advanced Surgery, Dubai.

“Dr Ibtesam is very adaptive and understands how this business, both private and government, works.”

Dr Al Bastaki looks back with pride on dealing with patients directly for a decade, and enjoys the family medicine speciality. Exploring the business side of health drew out new strengths.

“One of the most challenging roles I took on was opening a new medical centre within Airport Terminal 3,” she said, about her early years.

“In terms of emergency, trauma, any infectious outbreak – a patient could now be transferred to a hospital. You hear the news about Ebola, HN1 and bird flu, so preparedness in any international airport is essential.”

Keeping patients happy while maximising revenue was a priority in the creation of a DHA business development unit.

Privatising the prosthetics section of Rashid Hospital and leasing it to a private company cut the delivery time of prosthetic limbs from six months to two weeks.

“This was one of the most successful stories in DHA’s history,” she said.

“It increased our customer satisfaction, and the decreased delay saved the government’s budget because it is leased completely to the private sector.”

At the Prime Minister’s office, she headed the health strategy and performance team.

“This was really a challenge because it was a strategic role to bring ideas and innovation to the health sector, and to look at the needs of the population and the challenges the country might face in the future,” she said.

Settling into her new role at VPS since August, covering 11 hospitals in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Oman, has been exciting.

“The environment is friendly, encouraging. People are result-oriented – they just want to deliver and that’s what I love, that you have to focus on the outcome.”

Support from her family helped to raise her children, now aged 9 and 13, when her husband died six years ago.

Her family’s focus on education and their diverse occupations have shaped her. Her grandfather ran a trading business, her father was a banker, her three brothers are in the engineering, banking and finance sectors and a younger sister is a surgeon.

Awards for her achievements take pride of place in her office. On another wall is a large whiteboard setting out her objectives.

“I’m doing three-year plans for VPS,” she said.

“This dashboard is always in my life. I love to have it even in my home because it will make me know what is missing. In life with all the challenges, you have to be systematic otherwise you will lose track. Life is not easy, there are a lot of bumps so you need to be careful how to handle things well.