Month: September 2019

An accomplished specialist in the field of Obgyn care, Dr. Hema Divakar, Medical Director at the Divakars Specialty Hospital in Bangalore has developed her organization as a center of excellence for women’s healthcare and also a center for Skill Enhancement. She is also the CEO and Chairman of ARTIST – Asian Research and Training Institute for Skill Transfer – with research and capacity building activities through onsite and digital platforms.

She is a leading medical professional of India with a vision to improve the healthcare services ecosystem for the welfare of women. She has, over the last three decades, been a game changer in healthcare, establishing new benchmarks, standards and touching women’s lives in the process.

Before initiating her professional journey and then during the course, Dr. Hema has gained several academic achievements such as a Masters in Alternative Medicine, an MD from Wadia Maternity Hospital in Mumbai, a Postgraduate Diploma in Medical Law and Ethics, a Diploma from All India Institute of Management, and a PG Diploma in Preventive and Promotive Healthcare.

She shares, “There is never a dull moment in my life. I studied MBBS at a time when not many girls explored this profession.”

As she realizes that every day, hundreds of women die worldwide because of pregnancy-related health problems, and 99 per cent of these problems occur in developing countries, she has been tirelessly working to improve the women’s healthcare services in India.

Specializing in high-risk pregnancies, she has set up clinics that deal with miscarriages, foetal medicine, and diabetic obstetrics, and to support women and children in rural India she has also founded the Divakars Services Trust. She asserts, “Women’s healthcare is one of the most neglected issues in the country. India has a long way to go in improving the healthcare services for women. We have just made a beginning. There is a lot more to be done and I want to accomplish them with the support of my fraternity and the government backed by policy framework.”

To improve the overall women’s healthcare services in India for long-term results, she has been contributing to nation building in her own capacity. To change the fact that the MMR in India is poorer than that of Bangladesh, she has launched two flagship initiatives: Helping Mothers Survive (HMS) and Save Mothers, which have now been institutionalized in a few states of India.

She says, “It is a fact that whichever country had a healthy population prospered on all fronts. About 30 per cent of India’s population is in the age group of 10–19 years. It is estimated that there are almost 331 million adolescents in India. They represent a resource for the future whose potential has to be nurtured. We have to address major health issues affecting the population of the nation, particularly the womenfolk.”

As she is also a Member of the Technical Advisory Group (TAG) for Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, she has contributed not only towards capacity building in the healthcare sector, but also towards policy making regarding the social and legal issues concerning women’s health in India. Her contribution to nation building through determined efforts in the entire healthcare industry is commendable.

Wearing Several Hats

Diversifying her expertise, Dr. Hema currently holds an exhaustive list of important positions of great responsibility within the country as well as in Asia: She is a speaker, an activist, technical advisor to Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Vice Chair of the NCD committee at FIGO- international obgyns, National Coordinator for FIGO FOGSI WDF on Diabetes in Pregnancy, National Co-ordinator for FOGSI MANYATA Quality initiatives, and an adviser at India Institute of Public Health and IIM Bangalore. In the year 2013, she was the PRESIDENT of FOGSI (Federation of Obstetric & Gynecological Societies of India), with 32,000 specialists on roll as the members.

She says, “To head the FOGSI was the high point of my career because the initiatives launched then are policy programmes for some progressive states today. The FOGSI Vision 2022 captures our aspirations and goals to make India a vibrant and healthy nation.”

She regularly contributes to publications and textbooks, and conducts educational workshops all over India.

She has been instrumental in getting March 10 declared as the Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) Day, the first by any country, as the number of diabetics in India is very high. She explains, “We conducted a survey and our findings revealed that approximately 10 per cent of women, who get pregnant every year, developed diabetes during the gestation period. Even with 10 per cent, the numbers in this country are whopping, as it works out to about three million women every year. This is an alarming trend, which cannot be ignored. From being called Diabetes Capital of the world, we want India to be Diabetes Care Capital of the world.”

Working with the Karnataka Government on several issues through The Asian Research & Training Institute for Skill Transfer (ARTIST), which she started as a premier institute for learning, she has initiated a public-private-partnership with the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) to adopt and manage the First Referral Units (FRUs), exclusively dedicated for maternal healthcare services, in several economically backward districts of Karnataka.

Further, she has also collaborated with the state government to make 2,00,000 women workers in garment factories of Bengaluru Anaemia-free.

Deserving Recognitions

Dr. Hema has been creating waves in the entire Asia for her complete focus on making a positive change in India’s healthcare industry. She shares, “To be recognised with other achievers of Asia thrusts on me a greater responsibility and ownership to reform the women’s healthcare ecosystem in an innovative and impactful manner.”

Her ingenious work in the healthcare industry has received worldwide recognition and praise, as they directly improve the people’s requirements in the healthcare industry of India. She understands and is deeply emotional about the fact that Indian women and children don’t have easy and affordable access to quality healthcare, especially in rural areas. So, she has set out to changing the face of the country’s healthcare sector where it’s most relevant.

Offering speciality services, she has worked on lesser known issues of women, and has catered to basic pre- and postnatal care. Her committed efforts have been recognized well, as she is the only recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the World Diabetes Foundation (Diabetes in Pregnancy Study Group of India) and the fifth Indian woman to receive the prestigious FIGO (International Federation of Gynaecology & Obstetrics) Women Achiever’s Award. She has received the honorary fellowship from the Royal College London, Icons of healthcare Award in Singapore, and even Greatest Leader and Global Asian Awards. The hospital follows the philosophy of Dr. Hema, and like her, every employee at the hospital possesses exemplary determination, expertise in his/her own area of function, and a high consciousness for quality.

Her resolute efforts have resulted in the development of Divakars Speciality Hospital as a center of excellence in women’s healthcare focusing on all age groups, before and beyond pregnancy, offering the complete range of consultative and specialized services to meet the needs of adolescent, reproductive age and postmenopausal women.

Academic Brilliance

Dr. Omaid obtained his early education from Afghanistan and completed his Post Graduation in Banking & Finance from Pakistan and India. Later, he completed his thesis on Business Administration and Financial Management and obtained the Ph.D. from one of the premier institutions in India. An MBA with specialization in Banking, Risk Management & Finance, he also possesses a Diploma in Information Technology.

A Dynamic Leader

With a burning desire to create a niche for himself, Dr. Omaid began his professional career with Azizi Bank in 2006 as a Finance Officer and skillfully succeeded in ascending the steps to become the President and CEO.

During his career span, Dr. Omaid handled various distinctive and prestigious roles gaining rich & extensive experience in Finance & Accounting, Corporate Accounts Trade Finance, Corporate Credit Financing, Operational Banking, Investment Banking, and Retail Banking. He has been the founding pillar in ensuring Azizi Bank reaches the top of the helm. The bank is now not only considered as the most preferred bank in the country but also internationally recognized for its digital innovation and strong corporate governance.

Under his dynamic leadership, Azizi Bank has emerged as the largest bank in Afghanistan with more than 140 branches along with its 100% subsidiary bank—the Islamic Bank of Afghanistan, the country’s first full-fledged Islamic bank. What’s more, Azizi Bank also has a fleet of more than 100 ATMs – the highest in the country.

Progressive Ideas

The business strategies of Dr. Omaid are based on five core values – operational excellence, customer focus, product leadership, people management, and sustainability. As a committed enthusiast, Dr. Omaid strives to establish a high quality and state-of-the-art private Afghanistan Bank with a vision of “Building the Best Quality Afghanistan Bank with World Class Services” by 2020. Under his leadership, Azizi Bank has steadily evolved as the Professionals’ Bank of Afghanistan with exemplary business and financial outcomes.

Dr. Omaid’s success is truly exemplary and can be attributed to his hard work and professionalism put in over the years. His diligent, meticulous, and scrupulous approach combined with an eye for detail and efficient decision-making abilities has led him to become an idol for many. His career graph is a dream that much nurture, but only the ones with a consistent drive like him achieve and reach the epitome of success.

Accolades & Achievements

Dr. Omaid’s experience and zeal for excellence have won him several international accreditations. He is the only Afghan who has been conferred upon with the honorary Professorship of Academics, Oxford. Under his able leadership, Azizi Bank was awarded the title ‘Bank of the Year-Afghanistan’ by Wealth and Finance (W&F) magazine in 2018.

He has also been awarded by the Government of Afghanistan for playing an effective role in the development of the Afghan banking sector. Additionally, the Ministry of Defense has honoured him for establishing a proper and transparent salary payment system for the Afghan soldiers. He has received Promising Young Banker Award from the Asian Banker, Singapore; Queen Victoria Badge by the Europe Business Assembly, the UK; and Best Private Banking CEO Award, Afghanistan, at the South Asian Partnership Summit – A SAARC initiative.

He is the Chairman of the Afghanistan Banking Association and the Banking Commission of the International Chamber of Commerce, Afghanistan chapter; in addition to being the Member of the Europe Business Assembly, the UK; and the World Confederation of Businesses, the USA. He also serves as a Guest Faculty at the various universities of Afghanistan.

AN INSPIRING AND TRUE BANKING PROFESSIONAL

Under the strategic direction and leadership of Dr. Mohammad Salem Omaid, Azizi Bank, Afghanistan’s largest commercial bank headquartered in Zanbaq Square in Kabul has expanded its presence across 30 provinces and is the upshot of the specialized and entrepreneurial commitment of its founder Mirwais Azizi and his team to establish a high-quality, customercentered, and a service-oriented private Afghan bank catering to foster the businesses of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.

LEADING THE WAY

Established in 2006, Azizi Bank is progressively growing as the den of expert economists who work to realise the long-standing mission of “building the finest quality bank of the world in Afghanistan” by 2022. Azizi’s zeal to succeed and inventiveness led him to introduce banking services such as retail & corporate banking, treasury, payment & settlement, remittance services through Western Union, credit, and different delivery channels for diverse business segments

He is a doctorate in Financial Management from a leading Indian university, a post-graduate and also holds an MBA in Banking, Risk Management, and Finance. Playing an instrumental role Bank, Dr. Omaid has mandated his team to follow the globally best banking practices, premier standards of service quality, and operational brilliance at all stages of business. This has made Azizi Bank the largest bank in the Afghanistan, with over 140 branches and more than 100 ATMs, along with its 100% subsidiary bank, the Islamic Bank of Afghanistan.

Dr. Omaid has served the bank in various capacities and carries immense experience in the diverse areas of strategic policies, financial regulation, foreign exchange management, and banking operations. He has played a crucial and central role in maintaining international business relations with key corporate figures, banks, and stakeholders.

A highly distinguished banking professional, Dr. Omaid is a great manager and has been leading the bank to excellence despite acute political and economic uncertainty. Being a resultoriented businessperson who believes in upholding ethics, Dr. Omaid has established a transparent corporate governance structure at Azizi Bank to ensure accountability and make discipline, independence, and fairness key values to be followed by the management and the employees. Taking delegation and empowerment as important parameters to drive growth, he has been highly successful in mentoring employees and helps them grow as competent professionals. Along with continuing to work on expanding the presence of the bank and the scope of its services, Dr. Omaid supervises compliance, risk management skills, systems and processes for further enhancement.

AWARDS AND ACCOLADES

Time and again, Dr. Omaid has been recognised by the government of Afghanistan and other international firms for his relentless efforts in strengthening the banking structure in Afghanistan. The government of Afghanistan awarded him for playing an effective role in the development of the national banking sector. Simultaneously, he has also been felicitated by the Ministry of Defence for the establishment of a proper and transparent salary payment system for the Afghan soldiers. International honours to his credit include the Promising Young Banker Award by the Asian Banker, Singapore; Queen Victoria Badge by the Europe Business Assembly, UK; Best Private Banking CEO, Afghanistan by the South Asian Partnership Summit.

Other than being the Chairman of the Afghanistan Banking Association, he is an active member of the Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce, UK; World Confederation of Business, USA; and is the Chairman of the banking commission, The International Chamber of Commerce, Afghanistan wing.

A BOOK THAT CHANGED HIS LIFE

The development of the most beautiful residential, recreational, and commercial structures in Thailand and South East Asia marks the experiential journey of the man whose life changed all of a sudden when he came across a book, “The Secret: Law of Attraction.”

Mr. Pira’s personal life has been a great struggle. After the demise of his grandfather, Mr. Pira’s financial condition turned completely disastrous, post which he decided to moved to Thailand from Stockholm, Sweden, on the recommendation of a booking agent. With a one-way ticket, he decided to start life afresh with no clue of where he would land up.

FROM BEING HOMELESS TO PROVIDING SHELTER

In his 20s, Mr. Pira was homeless and had to spend nights at a beach in Phuket; that was the turning point of his life. One of his friends offered him the book ‘The Secret: Law of Attraction’ while he asked to borrow some money from him; this was the book that became a savior and converted the 20-year-old homeless boy into a 30-year-old real estate tycoon. Reading through the book, he realised that nothing comes to you until you work towards your goals and start manifesting what you desire.

With complete determination, Mr. Andres Pira started focusing on how to be skilled enough to attract wealth, as it is not something that comes easy or given out of charity. As a marketing executive to a real estate developer in Thailand, the ace learned the respective skills and became a shelter provider himself.

OWNS A DISCERNING EYE

Being a struggler throughout his life, Mr. Pira has managed to develop a keen eye for detail. He never fails to focus even on the minutest things that he comes across. From the quality of the structure that is being developed to hunting for the right people to trust on with the business, he emphasizes on every important aspect that makes his team nothing but the best. He is ever-ready to identify and address the shortcomings, as and when they come into the notice.

His clarity is what makes the principles he shares with the people across the globe so much more relatable. The leader has gone through so many unanticipated losses that he is no more scared of taking risks. However, he always recommends taking calculated risks to survive, even if the worst situations occur.

A READER-CUM-WRITER

Today, he is not only the man behind the attractive and luxury recreational centres across the world’s best beaches but also an influencer who inspires the youth by sharing his wealth-attraction principles around the world. In this way, he has been helping the younger generation with high aspirations to proceed towards the achievement of their goals.

He has authored a book titled “Homeless to Billionaire – The 18 Principles of Wealth Attraction and Creating Unlimited Opportunity” in which he offers practical tips to handle successes and failures. His strategies to attract positive vibrations have been universally appreciated and have been found quite effective. Through his book, he has succeeded in inculcating the feeling of optimism in readers across the globe.

After capturing the real estate sector in Thailand and Southeast Asian nations, he is all set to expand his group of companies to other beach locations beyond Phuket. According to his latest revelation, the next destinations that Blue Horizon Developments is planning to target include Bangkok, Krabi, and Samui.