Emirati businessman Ahmed Al Falasi beat five finalists to nab the top prize at the third edition of the Arab Hope Makers event on Thursday.
The first Emirati Hope Maker would like to use his prize money of Dh1 million to replace the refurbished MRI machines and electronic lung and heart machines in the Coast General Hospital in Kenya’s Mombasa.
Emirati businessman Ahmed Al Falasi beat five finalists to nab the top prize at the third edition of the Arab Hope Makers event on Thursday.
“I would like to purchase better-quality, more expensive medical equipment. Before this, we couldn’t afford it. The MRI machine we use is a refurbished 10-year-old one.
And the electronic heart and lung machine is 25 years old,” said Al Falasi. The hospital is desperately in need of new and better machines that will cut down the mortality rate.
He added: “Imagine, one machine is used on thousands of people. The need for new equipment is high.”
Following the award ceremony, he told that he would like to dedicate his award to the nation’s founding father the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and all the Rulers of the UAE. Al Falasi said they are the true heroes who inspired him to take up humanitarian work.
“I dedicate this award to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. They have taught all Emiratis to pursue humanitarian work without differentiating between people of different religious backgrounds. Everyone is the same,” he said.
Commenting on how much he has spent on humanitarian work in the past 10 years, Al Falasi said that is a conversation between him and God. “I want to inspire more people, especially Emiratis to help people in need, irrespective of their religion or nationality,” said Falasi.
