Abdul Latheef Uppala

Abdul Latheef Uppala, Managing Director of Badr Al Samaa Group in the Sultanate of Oman, is a visionary entrepreneur whose journey from humble beginnings to creating a leading private healthcare brand is both inspiring and extraordinary. From his early days in Kerala to overseeing a vast network of hospitals, medical centers, and various business ventures across multiple countries, Latheef’s story showcases perseverance, innovation, and philanthropy.

Hailing from Uppala in the Kasaragod district of Kerala, India, Abdul Latheef’s early life was steeped in ambition. He completed his school education in his hometown and moved to Mumbai in the early 1980s to pursue his pre-university studies. His father, the late Mr. MoideenKunhi, owned a restaurant business in Mumbai, which had a profound influence on Latheef’s early understanding of business.

In 1982, after finishing his pre-university education, Mr. Latheef ventured to Dubai, where he spent two years working in various jobs. This phase was a turning point, as he gained valuable international exposure, including a four-year stint at the UAE Embassy in Rome. Upon his return to Mumbai, his father urged him to take over the family restaurant, Afthab Restaurant in Agripada, Byculla, where Mr. Latheef introduced innovative changes, including the bulk procurement of raw materials..

In 1988, Mr. Latheef joined the merchant navy as a sailor and in the next four years he worked in five ships. During the time he rose in seniority but bailed out in 1990. However, his true calling was elsewhere. In 1995, he transitioned into the healthcare sector, a decision that would eventually define his career. Latheef worked on recruitment efforts for the Badar-u-Din Hospital Group in Saudi Arabia, conducting searches in Kolkata, Lucknow, and Bangladesh.

In 1995, Mr. Latheef officially joined the Badar-u-Din Group as a marketing manager. His innovative strategies and business acumen quickly propelled the group to success. Recognizing his talents, the Board of Directors invited him to join their ranks. Mr. Latheef worked with the group for five years, gaining invaluable experience.

Motivated by his entrepreneurial spirit,Mr. Latheef embarked on his own journey and founded Badr Al Samaa in 2002 along with is partner Dr. P A Mohamed and the support of his dedicated team. This led to the rapid growth of Badr Al Samaa Group of Hospitals in the Sultanate of Oman. The first clinic in Ruwi, Muscat, opened with just 14 doctors, offering free consultations for the first 15 days. This innovative move made waves in the local healthcare sector and set the stage for Badr Al Samaa’s growth.

Today, Badr Al Samaa is the largest private healthcare service provider in the Sultanate with more than 500 doctors and is employing more than 2,000 staff, including around 500 Omani nationals catering to around three million patients every year. Inspired by the success saga of the group in the Sultanate, Mr. Latheef decided to spread his healthcare business empire to India, Bahrain, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.

In Oman the group has hospitals in Ruwi, Ghubra, Al Khoud, Barka, Nizwa, Sohar and Salalah; medical centres in Al Khuwair, Sohar, Falaj Al Quabail and Sur; and clinic in Suwaiq.

Mr. Latheef made history by becoming the first expat to be elected as the Board Member of Oman Chamber of Commerce & Industry on November 22, 2022.

In order to capitalise on the business opportunities, Mr. Latheef entered into various industries including real estate, education, construction, organised retailing, hospitality, etc. Today, Mr. Latheef is a stake holder and director board member of Badr Al Samaa Group of Hospitals, Badr Al Samaa Hospital International LLC and Al Nabeel International LLC in Sultanate of Oman, Al Basma Electronics LLC, Badr Al Samaa Medical Centre, Kuwait,  Managing Director of Sawari Seas International which is largest state-of-the-art slaughter waste rendering unit of the region, located at Madyan Industrial City, Managing Director of Imperial Kitchen, the chain of fine dining restaurants and many more. In addition, he is the Managing Director of Al Hilal Hospital Company BSC in Bahrain.  He is also the director of FSN Tours & Travels WLL, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. He also holds major stake in Gulf Asian Medical Centre, Jubail, Saudi Arabia. He is also a major stakeholder in Wintouch builders Private Limited, Kerala. He is also the vice chairman of Indiana Hospital & Heart Institute, Mangalore, India. He is the Chairman of Wintouch Hospital, Kasargod, Kerala and Chairman of Ayeshal Hospital, Kanjagad, Kerala.

Educational Ventures

In 2009, Mr.Latheef decided to enter the education industry in Kerala, India. His decision was not to earn more out of the industry but to develop institutions that can pioneer in their respective areas. As the first venture in education industry he had taken over College of Engineering &Technology in Payyanur in Kannur.

Mr. Latheef’s entry into the education industry was appreciated by other members of the board as he is a practical visionary, goal-oriented, willing to take risks and to set and have experience for setting policy priorities. Adding to this he is also known to have proven organizational, fiscal and leadership skills suitable for the size and complexity of the industry.

Another project that he is very keen in the education sector is the Global International School. The stress here is on students of good character and interested in overall development. Special coaching is given for football and cricket at the school that is soon turning residential. It is a higher secondary school.

He is Vice Chairman of Indiana Allied Health Sciences Institute which teaches students in 10 fields including BSc Nursing, MSc Nursing, Medical Technician Courses and many more.

He established Wintouch Academy which is a boarding and residential format institutions for talent nurturing, where students get admitted in early grades and are being handheld till professional examinations like IPS, IAS, NEET, etc.

Realty Sector

Mr. Latheef has also invested in a 60-acre township in Kasaragod that is envisaged to have 200 villas. The visionary in him is always on the lookout for appropriate investment opportunities. He believes that a good business man should have the acumen to identify the opportunity. If you drop the catch, you will lose the match is his dictum.He has also invested in the IT sector in Kerala.

While Mr. Latheef earns handsomely from his businesses, he finds his utmost satisfaction from philanthropic acts and hence loves him to be identified as the founder of Aishal Foundation, the charitable trust established in Indian in memory of his mother. Under this trust he has established education institutions, dialysis centres, and regularly help the needy with financial support.

Mr. Latheef is happily married to Ayshamma Sefia Abdul Latheef and the couple has two daughters and two sons.

Abdul Latheef’s rise from modest beginnings to becoming a prominent figure in the healthcare and business sectors is a testament to his vision, determination, and leadership. His contributions to the healthcare industry, along with his philanthropic endeavors, have made a lasting impact, not only in the Sultanate of Oman but across the globe.