Michael French

'We are only seven years old and are privately owned by the Al Mullah family,' explains Chief Executive Officer Michael French, who moved to Dubai just over a year ago after a 30 year career in US healthcare administration.

'Right from the start the philosophy was to focus on quality first with the best Western trained doctors and clinical staff and Western management,' he says. 'It has been a remarkably successful formula and in the past three years, revenues are up 20% per annum.'

Proof of this success is that the American Hospital Dubai is undergoing a 65,000 square feet extension that will add 20 more beds bringing the total to 120 by the first quarter of next year. The extension will also add several more clinical services that will leave the hospital equipped with every non-specialist medical service including kidney dialysis.

The hospital has also just been re-accredited by the Joint Commission International, the top US hospital ratings agency which first rated the hospital three years ago. 'This is an indication of our continuous effort towards excellence,' says Mr. French. 'We are the only hospital in the UAE with this accreditation.'

With 77 doctors on its staff this hospital almost has more doctors than patients. Interestingly 85% of patients pay cash and only 15% have insurance, and 15% are from outside the UAE. The split between UAE Nationals and Expatriates is about 50:50.

'We see patients from the whole region, especially places like Iran and Iraq,' says Mr. French. 'This is a growing trend and we welcome initiatives like the Dubai Healthcare City which will build on the reputation for the best healthcare that the American Hospital Dubai has established.'

He also makes no apology for running a hospital that is rather like a five-star hotel in many respects. It even has a Presidential Suite, and food and customer service are five-star.

'Our patients are paying for a high standard and have high expectations. The five-star hotels in Dubai set the standards of acceptable accommodation so we have to meet them.'