Saudi German Hospitals: Building a strong platform for world-class healthcare

Passion and dedication are keywords that describe Dr. Reem Osman and her journey as the Ophthalmologist-turned-Group CEO of Saudi German Hospitals. Under her leadership, the organisation has grown to become a focal hub in the healthcare industry and medical tourism.
To date, the Saudi German Hospitals Group is the largest healthcare provider and leading hospital brand in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) with bases in several cities across Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt and Yemen. Various healthcare cities and hospitals are under various stages of completion in KSA, UAE, Egypt, Morocco, etc. Its hospitals have the largest footfall in the region, with numbers steadily rising.
"When you yearn success, it is natural to want to work hard to achieve it. Healthcare is a challenging field, but the joy it gives is incredibly fulfilling. I don't feel happiness from material things; instead building and achieving a dream means a lot more to me," she said.
"It is important to have the ability to multitask and the courage to make fast decisions," she said, adding that speed and time are essential factors to take advantage of opportunities.
Success does not come overnight
With Dr. Osman at its helm, Saudi German Hospitals Group has overcome a number of challenges in a market that is saturated with healthcare providers and continues to expand its brand in the UAE healthcare sector
"We have put a tremendous amount of energy into building a management team and a base of skilled, world-class physicians in order to enter a market that is already dominated by private and public-sector players. We used this combination of talent and experience to identify market needs and work closely with government regulators and players. We have had to prove ourselves in a very short amount of time in order to capture and retain a customer segment; this has been a driving factor for establishing our reputation," she said.
Trust and engagement 
A firm believer in survival of the fittest, Dr. Osman has worked hard to bring Saudi German Hospitals to its current position. Her increasing efforts have earned her many accolades, the latest being one of the 30 Most Influential Women in the Arab World by Arabian Business.
Despite all, she places importance on the people's factor.
"You could create beautiful facilities, lay it out like a five-star hospital and bring the best professors from Medical Universities in the world, but that is not enough for healthcare. What you require is engagement from the management and staff to complement healthcare facilities, no matter how well it is designed and equipped," she said.
"Here, we are creating jobs. Besides keeping staff motivated with an environment for excellence, we also add value to the country we live in. All these big targets are very important; it personally gives me satisfaction, and this is what pushes me forward," she said.
 Inspiring youth
Interestingly, Dr. Osman passes similar words of wisdom to her own daughters, encouraging them to be responsible for their actions so they can grow as leaders of tomorrow.
For aspiring entrepreneurs, she advises: "You have to love what you do and be passionate about it. If you're not dedicated enough, you will not be successful. It's as simple as that," she concluded.
 
-  farhana@khaleejtimes.com