Burjeel Holdings launched a surprise AED 15 million recognition fund for frontline workers during a record UAE town hall, highlighting Dubai healthcare excellence.
ABU DHABI: In a landmark leadership moment in the UAE, Burjeel Holdings Chairman and CEO Dr. Shamsheer Vayalil stunned more than 8,500 healthcare employees at Etihad Arena with a surprise AED 15 million financial recognition fund. The unprecedented announcement came during a first-of-its-kind CEO-led Group-wide town hall, making it one of the largest employee gatherings of its kind in the region.
Held in Abu Dhabi, the town hall brought together nurses, clinicians, allied health workers and support staff from across the Group. Midway through the address, attendees received SMS messages confirming their inclusion in the newly launched BurjeelProud initiative — a direct financial recognition aimed at rewarding the company’s frontline force.
“This is not a reward for a department… this is because you are the people on the ground,” said Dr. Shamsheer, addressing the cheering crowd. The AED 15 million recognition will benefit nearly 10,000 employees, covering about 85% of the company’s operational, nursing and allied health workforce. Employees will receive an amount equivalent to half a month to one month of their basic salary, depending on their role.
The initiative is a major component of Burjeel 2.0 — the Group’s next strategic phase focused on execution, accountability and people-first growth. The emotional atmosphere at the arena was a testament to the impact of the announcement, with several employees expressing gratitude and surprise at the recognition.
The town hall also served as a platform for unveiling Burjeel’s vision for 2030, particularly the transformation of Burjeel Medical City (BMC) into a next-generation medical ecosystem in Mohammed Bin Zayed City. Plans include integrating advanced clinical care with medical education, rehabilitation and patient-centric living spaces. The expanded facility will house specialised centres, including sports medicine and research-led academic institutes.
“I still remember showing a small model of BMC to His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. It was just a dream then,” Dr. Shamsheer shared, noting how the vision has grown into one of the region’s leading healthcare institutions.
The transformation of BMC aligns with Abu Dhabi’s long-term healthcare strategy and reflects the evolving role of healthcare institutions as centres of innovation, research and comprehensive patient care.
