Thumbay Group is a privately held business conglomerate based in United Arab Emirates. Its principal business areas are healthcare, medical education, and academic health research, with other operations in diagnostics, retail, hospitality and technology.
Thumbay Moideen, an Indian businessman moved to the UAE in 1997 and founded Thumbay Group in Ajman. The early development of Thumbay Group was centered on medical education, beginning with Gulf medical college in Ajman in 1998, which later became Gulf Medical University. Teaching hospitals and other health services followed.
In 2010, the group announced the Dh350 million expansion plan covering the university and hospital infrastructure in Ajman.In the next decade, the group expanded into diagnostics, retail, hospitality and technology alongside its healthcare and education operations.
In 2018, Thumbay Group signed a memorandum of understanding with the Government of Ghana to establish a medical university and teaching hospital in the Greater Accra Region.
In February 2026, the group launched Thumbay Medicity Dubai, an academic medical development in Al Qusais, Dubai. Later in 2026, they established a 120-bed psychiatric and rehabilitation hospital at Sharjah Healthcare City, a veterinary teaching hospital and college of veterinary medicine in Ajman, and the Thumbay International Research Centre in Al Jurf, Ajman.
Thumbay Group is listed among the “Top 100 Companies making an impact in the Arab World” by Forbes Middle East.
Business operations
Healthcare and medical education
Healthcare and medical education is the core of the group. Gulf Medical University uses the hospitals, clinics and laboratories operated by the group's healthcare division for clinical training. As of May 2026, the division operated eight hospitals, along with outpatient clinics, diagnostic laboratories, and pharmacies.
Other businesses
In addition to healthcare and education, Thumbay Group has operated businesses in real estate, hospitality, wellness, restaurants, coffee shops, and fitness clubs. Its hospitality operations include The Terrace, a multi-cuisine restaurant chain, and Blends & Brews Coffee Shoppe. The construction and real estate business, Thumbay Builders, undertakes the construction projects involving group's healthcare and medical facilities.
Brands
Thumbay Group also owns the following Business Enterprises:
Gulf Medical University: The flagship project of Thumbay Group, the University caters to students of 75 nationalities and offers courses in medicine and healthcare ranging from Bachelor's to Masters, from short term to online courses.
Thumbay Hospital: A network of academic hospitals in Ajman, Dubai, Sharjah & Fujairah in the UAE and in Hyderabad, India.
Thumbay Clinic: Chain of family clinics. Presently located at Ajman, Fujairah, Sharjah, Dubai, Umm Al Quwain and Ras Al Khaimah, in addition to the recently opened Thumbay Clinic ELITE at Ajman.
Thumbay Pharmacy: Chain of pharmacies with multiple branches in Dubai, Ajman, Fujairah, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Umm al-Qaiwain & Hyderabad.
Nutri Plus Vita Store: A chain of nutrition stores with presence in Ajman, Sharjah, Fujairah and Dubai.
Zo & Mo Opticals: A chain of optical shops in Ajman, Dubai, Sharjah and Fujairah.
The Flower Shoppe: Floral Shop in Ajman.
Thumbay Medical Tourism:Promotes Thumbay Group’s healthcare services to international patients visiting the UAE.
Thumbay Labs: One of the largest networks of CAP-accredited private diagnostic labs in the Middle East region. Branches throughout the UAE as well as in Hyderabad - India.
Health Communications Division: assists in the delivery of programs (conferences, workshops, symposia and seminars).
Body & Soul Health Clubs & Spas: An International chain of Health Clubs with branches in Ajman, Sharjah and Dubai, including ELITE outlets and kids' gym.
HEALTH MAgazine: A BPA-audited bi-monthly, bilingual magazine focusing on health & lifestyle.
The Terrace Restaurant: A multi-cuisine restaurant chain. The HACCP-certified flagship outlet is located in Al Jurf, Ajman.
Blends and Brews Coffee Shoppe: UAE-born signature coffee shop outlets with outlets across the UAE and in Hyderabad, India.
Thumbay Marketing and Distribution Company (TMDC): Partners with healthcare product manufacturers, fashion brands, educational product suppliers to distribute and market their products.
Thumbay Builders: One of the largest real estate companies in the Northern Emirates, UAE.
