India’s Richest Doctor: Kerala-Born Radiologist Who Built a ₹30,770 Crore Healthcare Empire with 22 Hospitals Across UAE, Oman, and India
India’s Richest Doctor: Kerala-Born Radiologist Who Built a ₹30,770 Crore Healthcare Empire with 22 Hospitals Across UAE, Oman, and India
Dr. Shamsheer Vayalil’s journey from radiologist to billionaire philanthropist has redefined healthcare across the Middle East and India
Dr. Shamsheer Vayalil’s life story is one of vision, perseverance, and compassion. Born on 11 January 1977 in Kerala, he grew up with dreams larger than his hometown. After completing his MBBS at Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, and an MD in Radiology from Sri Ramachandra Medical College, Chennai, he began his career in 2004 as a radiologist at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City in Abu Dhabi. That first step laid the foundation for a healthcare empire that would later span countries and touch millions of lives.
In 2007, with initial backing from his father-in-law and Gulf retailing tycoon M.A. Yusuff Ali, Dr. Shamsheer launched his first hospital—LLH Hospital in Abu Dhabi. From there, his entrepreneurial spirit transformed into Burjeel Holdings, one of the UAE’s most respected healthcare groups. Today, his ventures include Burjeel Hospitals, Medeor Hospitals, LLH Hospitals, Lifecare Hospitals, and Tajmeel, supported by a hub-and-spoke model that ensures world-class healthcare delivery across the region.
Beyond hospitals, his diversified portfolio includes Response Plus Holdings (RPM), LIFEPharma, Keita, Ziva, VPS Lakeshore Hospital, Dynamed, and the Educare Institute of Dental Sciences. By listing both Burjeel Holdings and RPM on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange, Dr. Shamsheer has created sustained shareholder value while reinforcing his long-term vision for the sector.
At present, Burjeel Holdings operates 20 hospitals, over 23 medical centers, and employs more than 13,000 professionals across the UAE, Oman, India, and Saudi Arabia. His work has positioned him among the world’s most influential healthcare leaders.
Philanthropy is central to his success. In 2018, he donated Rs 1.75 crore worth of medical equipment to Kerala during the Nipah outbreak. He pledged Rs 6 crore to support families of victims in the tragic Air India crash. His humanitarian contributions also include AED 12 million (Rs 27.2 crore) to the UAE’s One Billion Meals Initiative to combat global hunger, and AED 5 million (Rs 11.3 crore) to the Emirates Red Crescent following the Turkey–Syria earthquakes in 2023.
His efforts have not gone unnoticed. In 2023, Dr. Shamsheer Vayalil was ranked 57th on Forbes India’s 100 Richest List with a net worth of $3.7 billion (Rs 30,770 crore), making him India’s richest doctor. Yet, those close to him say it is not his wealth but his vision and humanity that define him.
From a young doctor in Kerala to a billionaire shaping global healthcare, Dr. Shamsheer’s journey proves that with hard work, foresight, and compassion, dreams can transcend borders and change lives.
