Prominent Gulf-based Indian medical entrepreneur and philanthropist Dr. K.T. Rabeeullah was honored with a ‘Lifetime Achievement Award' for his philanthropic and humanitarian works. Dr. Geoffrey Clements, chairman of Commonwealth Association for Infrastructure Development, presented the award, constituted by the London-based Rotary International — Trivandrum Royal, at a function held on the British Parliament premises recently. While inaugurating the function, Virendra Sharma, veteran member of British Parliament, said: "It is my privilege to honor Rabeeullah at the British Parliament, the mother of modern democracy. I had come to know about the extent of his contributions to the society and humanity only very recently and today I am proud to sit next to him," the MP said. Dr. Rabeeullah was honored in Britain at a time when the UK is enhancing its efforts to attract philanthropic support in the healthcare and seeking investments in healthcare from the Commonwealth following the Brexit, it was stated at the event. Siddeeque Valiyakath, executive director and CEO of Shifa Al Jazeera Medical Group – Oman, said Dr. Rabeeullah is a role model for philanthropists. "He treats both rich and poor equally after having being a symbol of kindness and humanity. We may find such a kind person one in a million," he applauded. In his reply, Dr, Rabeeullah said: "I am humbled with the nice words of the dignitaries as the award makes me more responsible and committed to dedicate myself to serve the community especially the poor section of the society. We will also be expanding our healthcare services to UK and US in the near future, and in UK we will be opening dermatology/cosmetology & dental clinic soon," he said. Referring to his success in providing healthcare and associating it with charity work, Dr. Rabiullah said success is not the key to happiness, but happiness is the key to success. "If you love what you are doing, you will be successful in it. Positive thinking, an uncompromising attitude to truth and ethics, focus on actions, acquisition of knowledge, staying focused and being patient, persistent and hardworking are the ingredients of success," he added. Dr. Rabeeullah is the chairman and managing director of Shifa Al Jazeera Medical Group, Royal Shifa Hospitals and Naseem Al Rabeeh Medical Group, the largest medical service provider in the GCC. Dr. Rabeeullah had won applause after he launched extensive charity initiatives in the Middle East and India. Recently he started a charity initiative worth Rs 100 million ($1.5 million) to be distributed within three years for the social backward families. The recognition in UK has added a new feather to his crowned cap. Rabeeullah has received many awards including the prestigious ‘Pravasi Bharatiya Samman,' the highest honor accorded to Indians overseas for their pioneering role in enhancing India's image globally. He figured in recent issue of Forbes Rich list in the Gulf.
