An Abu Dhabi street has been named after Dr. George Matthew, an 84-year-old UAE citizen of Indian descent, who has made substantial contributions to the emirate's healthcare sector over nearly six decades. Dr. Matthew, who arrived in the UAE at the age of 26 in 1967, long before the country's unification, has observed the evolution of the nation's medical landscape and has been instrumental in shaping Abu Dhabi's healthcare system. He was also the first doctor to serve in a government hospital in Al Ain. In recognition of his pioneering efforts, the road near Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC) in the Al Mafraq area has been designated as George Matthew Street. This honor is part of the 'Honouring UAE’s Visionaries: Commemorative Streets' initiative by the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT), aimed at acknowledging individuals who have significantly contributed to the nation's progress.
When Dr. Matthew first arrived in the country, there were no roads or adequate medical facilities. He recalls, "The infrastructure was still developing at that time. Motivated by the late Sheikh Zayed, the founding father of the nation, I committed myself to assisting the people. I am profoundly thankful that my work has been acknowledged." Initially, the UAE was not his first choice; he had planned to move to the US but was swayed by a missionary friend's description of Al Ain's allure. His successful application as Al Ain’s first government doctor led to the establishment of the first clinic, blessed by Sheikh Zayed. Starting as a general practitioner, affectionately known as 'Matyous' by the locals, Dr. Matthew held several prestigious positions, including becoming the medical director of the Al Ain region in 1972 and a health authority consultant in 2001.
Dr. Matthew, originally from the south Indian state of Kerala, graduated from Trivandrum Medical College. He moved to the UAE with his wife Valsa following their marriage, and their daughter, Maryam (Priya), works in the government sector. Dr. Matthew's experiences mirror the UAE's history, from his initial meeting with Sheikh Zayed to treating injuries under makeshift conditions. He fondly remembers a 1969 incident where he treated a local resident at the Majlis in Al Ain. Sheikh Zayed, after inspecting the injury, remarked, "He is a good doctor," which greatly inspired Dr. Matthew. With Sheikh Zayed's backing, Dr. Matthew studied the management of tropical diseases in England and specialized in hospital management at Harvard. Renowned for his dedication and expertise, he has been an invaluable source of medical knowledge for the Al Ain community and has significantly contributed to the education and training of healthcare professionals.
Dr. Matthew served the royal family, including the late Sheikh Tahnoon bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, the Abu Dhabi Ruler’s Representative in the Al Ain Region. In appreciation of his commitment and hard work, the UAE conferred citizenship on Dr. Matthew and his family in 2004, and he was awarded the Abu Dhabi Awards in 2018. Currently, he continues to work in the private health sector under Presidential Affairs alongside other leading experts like Dr. Abdul Rahim Jaafar. "I am prepared to contribute whatever I can for the country and its citizens for as long as I live. I pray that God grants me more time to serve," Dr. Matthew states. His advice to others working in the UAE is, "Work with 100 percent sincerity, and you will succeed."
