Media Release
Ajman (UAE), Oct 26: Recovery should not end at survival. It should end with a life lived fully. That idea set the tone at the 6th International Annual Awards & Conference on Innovation in Rehabilitation Practice and Medicine, held at Thumbay Medicity, Al Jurf, Ajman, under the patronage of chief guest H E Sheikh Dr Majid bin Saeed Al Nuaimi, chairman of the Ruler's Court, Ajman.
Organised by the College of Health Sciences at Gulf Medical University in collaboration with Thumbay Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Hospital, the CME accredited conference (8 CME hours) brought together physiotherapists, orthopaedic and neuro specialists, occupational and speech therapists, educators and students from across the UAE, the GCC and beyond. The ceremony was presided over by Dr Thumbay Moideen, founder president, Thumbay Group.
The sessions tracked how rehabilitation is changing at the bedside. Robotic exoskeletons that help patients walk again, virtual reality and wearable sensors, tele-rehabilitation, neuro rehabilitation, phoniatrics, spine care and compression therapy all featured, led by speakers including Dr Juan Camilo Cortes, chair of Neuro Rehabilitation, Dubai Health, and Dr Gamal Youssef, professor of Phoniatrics, Alexandria University.
Delivering the keynote walkthrough, Akbar Moideen Thumbay, vice president, Healthcare Division, Thumbay Group, announced that Thumbay Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Hospital (TPTRH) plans a 30 percent capacity increase to keep up with high patient demand. Treatment capacity is growing from 27 to 39 treatment areas, and treatment beds from 36 to 48. The upgrade adds 6 new outdoor and therapeutic treatment areas and expands 5 dedicated treatment zones and 7 specialised treatment areas.
Alongside the added space comes a new generation of technology. TPTRH is deploying what it describes as UAE-first robotic and digital rehabilitation technology to speed up recovery, with a flagship suite that includes:
• GPARM / MOTUS Gait Trainer for advanced robotic-assisted gait re-education
• MLS Robotic Laser Therapy for high-intensity, automated pain management and tissue healing
• Robotic Moxibustion and 3D Nasometry for precision biofeedback in speech and acoustic analysis
• AR/VR Augmented Paediatric Gait training that turns therapy into a game for younger patients
The goal is to establish TPTRH as the number one advanced rehabilitation centre in the country.
The highlight of the day was the Star of the Year Award 2026, presented by the chief guest to Prof U T Ifthikar Fareed, chairman, National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Council, Karnataka, India, in recognition of his years of leadership in championing allied health and rehabilitation education.
Twenty-six leaders and institutions received the Innovation in Rehabilitation Awards 2026. Among them were H E Majid Al Usaimi, executive director, Dubai Club for People of Determination; Naima Saleh, president, Emirates Physiotherapy Association; Dr Ahmed Al Kharusi, associate dean, Oman Physical Therapy Association; Dr Yousef Abdulkhaleq Dhuhair of Rashid Hospital; Dr Hyung Seok Nam of Sheikh Khalifa Specialty Hospital, Ras Al Khaimah; and Humaid Bin Rashid Foundation, alongside clinicians from Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Al Qassimi Hospital, Ajman University, University of Sharjah, Kalasalingam University and Thumbay Healthcare.
Dr Thumbay Moideen also announced that, as part of the group's expansion plan, Thumbay Healthcare will open new rehabilitation centres in Dubai, Umm Al Quwain and Fujairah, taking advanced rehabilitation closer to patients across the UAE and also to facilitate the Teaching and Training of Students of Allied Health Sciences College of Gulf Medical University.
The conference was supported by Ekso Bionics, Hpotech Medical, M A S Medical Surgical Articles & Requisites Trading, Bauerfeind Middle East & Africa, Modawina Medical, Fourier Intelligence and Alpha Medical and Dental Services.
Admissions are now open at the College of Health Sciences, Gulf Medical University. Visit www.gmu.ac.ae.