Meet Tamer Abbas – Regional Director, Middle East

Welcome to our Staff Spotlight where we introduce our team who work to support ACHS International Members.

In this edition, we meet Mr Tamer Abbas, who joined ACHS International as the Regional Director, Middle East. With over 25 years of experience in healthcare across the pharmaceutical, consumer, and medical devices sectors, Mr. Abbas brings deep regional knowledge and leadership expertise to his new role. 
 

What first sparked your interest in healthcare?  

I come from a family full of healthcare professionals, which naturally influenced my path. I’ve always been fascinated by the human body and how medicine can affect it. More importantly, I’ve felt a strong sense of purpose in helping improve lives through care.  
 

What excites you most about joining ACHS International as Regional Director – Middle East? 

ACHS has an amazing mission that aligns with my values in improving healthcare standards and delivering quality care for patients. ACHS International is also at an exciting stage of growth, and I look forward to supporting healthcare organisations throughout the Middle East and Africa. The region is highly diverse, with healthcare systems at different stages of development and innovation, each contributing unique strengths to advancing care standards. 
 

You have more than 25 years’ experience across the pharmaceutical, consumer and medical devices industries, how do you envision adding value to ACHS International?  

My background combines business management expertise in healthcare with experience leading complex, cross-functional teams. This will bring new solutions to how we build customer focused products, and new approaches in business development. I also bring an extensive network within the healthcare in the Middle East, which will help us build strong regional partnerships. 

What core principles guide your approach to leadership?  

My approach to leadership is: 

• Authenticity: I am big believer of this because it means being a role model while remaining open to growth and self-improvement 

• Open communication: A leader should be able to develop strategy but more importantly be able to communicate the why, what and how 

• Balanced zoom-in & zoom out perspective: I maintain a balance between always seeing the big picture and long-term direction, while being close to execution and what must be done today to reach that long term vision  

Looking back over the past decade, how would you describe the evolution of healthcare in the Middle East?  

The healthcare system has evolved drastically in the Middle in the last 25 years on many fronts. The Government and private sector have invested a lot in equipment and technology advancements while building the right staffing. They have also started to engage more with consultants across the words for niche specialisation.  
Many of the countries here are open to improve their standards specially the ones related to patient quality, safety and care yet they became more conscious on the health economics and value-based investments.  
 

In your view, what ways can ACHS International contribute to healthcare excellence in the Middle East in the years ahead?  

ACHS International stands out because it views accreditation not as a checklist, but as a journey of continuous quality improvement. We are a partner to healthcare entities (both governments, hospitals and healthcare services) to build and sustain their systems around the highest standards of quality patient care, while also building an internal employee culture centred around safety and care.  

What healthcare topic interests you most?   

I’ve been long interested in healthcare topics like mental health and energy management though nutrition, sleep and movement. Recently I am getting more interested into the microbiomes research in gut, as well as the integration of digital health and AI into healthcare.  
 

How do you practice self-care and maintain work-life balance?  

Honestly, I don’t believe in the term of “Work-Life balance” as it gives off the impression that work and life are two things that can be put on a two-sided balance. The reality is, we have one life and work is part of it! We live life in a 24hr day where I believe in an 8-8-8 rule:  
8 hours for work, 8 hours for Sleep, 8 hours to spend in 3Fs, 3Hs & 3Ss; (3Fs: Family, Friends & Faith, 3Hs: Health, Hygiene and Hobbies, 3Ss: Soul. Service and Smile (what brings happiness) 

Thank you Tamer, for sharing your insights and experience with us. We look forward to bringing you further Staff Spotlight articles in the future and showcasing the incredible talent that we foster at ACHSI.