Media Release
Dubai, Dec 2: Dr Zulekha Daud was honored with Lifetime Achievement Award at the fifth Masala Awards ceremony recently held at the Madinat Jumairah Hotel, here.
This award was conferred to Dr Zulekha for her tireless service towards improving healthcare in the UAE for the past five decades. The award was presented to her by the internationally acclaimed Bollywood icon Shabana Azmi.
Dr Zulekha Daud is the first Indian woman medical professional in UAE who tirelessly worked for the welfare of UAE national and expats when the healthcare access was limited in her early age of career in 1960’s.
Awards and accolades have been heaped on her in recognition of her services. Dr Zulekha has been voted as the Gulf’s most powerful Indian women by Arabian Business Power. She was also included in the top ten of the most influential Indians in the Gulf by Arabian Business Power list.
Dr Zulekha was bestowed with a number of awards in the year 2012. The International Women’s Day Excellence Award by ‘Dhwani’, the New Global Indian Excellence Award and the Lifetime Achievement – Healthcare Award for her iconic leadership and outstanding contribution to the industry at the Power Brands Hall of Fame 2012 are just some light showers in the heavy deluge of the tributes. This year also she is included in the top 100 of the most influential Indians in the Gulf by Arabian Business Power list.
In the same year, Zulekha Hospital (Dubai and Sharjah) received the Dubai Quality Award from H H Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the deputy ruler of Dubai and president of DIFC for emphasizing quality healthcare in the region. The DHA honoured her hospital and medical center (Dubai) in the accreditation ceremony for the continuous cooperation towards providing a high quality health care for the population of the emirate of Dubai. This award was received from H H Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, crown prince of Dubai and chairman of Dubai Executive Council.
Dr Zulekha firmly believes in societal developments and affirms “community service means giving back to culture and people that surround you”. Zulekha Hospital represents Dr Zulekha's personality of care and compassion. This would be found in the staff and medical professionals, and regarded as the Zulekha spirit. The compassion in Dr Zulekha has gathered her many admirers and well-wishers.
Today, under her eminent leadership, the Zulekha Healthcare Group is one of the largest private healthcare networks in UAE, the group represents comprehensive healthcare that is accessible to anyone in need of any kind of medical attention – delivered through two multi- specialty hospitals, three medical centers and three pharmacies. The group today has over 1,200 personnel that include more than 200 qualified doctors, staff nurses and a host of paramedical staff.