Building a hospital is a huge challenge, but building one during a pandemic? That’s next level. Dr. Ghanima Alomer not only faced the storm but steered Wara Hospital toward becoming a trusted leader in healthcare. With a background as a physician and a visionary approach to leadership, she combined deep compassion with strategic thinking to guide the hospital through uncertain times.
Under her direction as a CEO, Wara quickly became known for innovation and patient-centered care—introducing groundbreaking technologies and setting new standards in Kuwait’s private healthcare sector. More than just an administrator, Dr. Ghanima Alomer leads with purpose, inspiring a team committed to excellence and empathy. When healthcare calls for both strength and compassion, her leadership shines through as steady and transformative.
Let’s delve into the interview details below!
Please introduce yourself to our readers. What inspired you to pursue a career in healthcare, and how did your journey lead you to the leadership of Wara Hospital?
I was deeply drawn to the values of compassion, service, and science that define the healthcare profession. My inspiration came not only from a desire to help others during their most vulnerable moments, but also from a genuine curiosity about how the human body functions and how we can apply knowledge to improve quality of life. This passion guided me through medical school, specialized training, and years of hands-on clinical experience.
Over time, I came to realize that delivering excellent patient care also requires strong systems, efficient leadership, and a clear vision for how healthcare institutions can better serve their communities. That realization motivated me to take on administrative and leadership roles, culminating in my current position as CEO of Wara Hospital.
My journey to the leadership of Wara Hospital has been shaped by both professional challenges and opportunities to build collaborative, patient-centered environments. At Wara, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside a talented and dedicated team, and together we are committed to advancing healthcare standards, embracing innovation, and ensuring that every patient receives the highest quality of care.
Wara Hospital is recognized for its commitment to advanced care and patient-centered services. Could you share the core mission and vision that drive the hospital’s success?
At Wara Hospital, our core mission is to provide leading-edge patient care through a multi-disciplinary approach. We believe that every patient deserves to be treated with dignity, empathy, and respect—values that are at the heart of everything we do.
Our vision is to be the center of excellence for providing integrated healthcare services and becoming a patient-centered hospital of choice. We aim to set new standards in quality and safety, while also fostering a culture of collaboration among our physicians, nurses, and staff.
What truly drives our success is a deep commitment to continuous improvement—whether it’s investing in state-of-the-art technology or enhancing our patient experience.
What are some of the most transformative initiatives or innovations you’ve implemented at Wara Hospital under your leadership?
Since day one, we’ve pursued a bold vision to redefine private healthcare in Kuwait—anchored in innovation, patient-centered care, and clinical excellence.
We launched in April 2019, and just nine months later, we found ourselves in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the challenges, we achieved Canadian Gold Accreditation within our first year—an accomplishment that reflects our commitment to international standards and quality of care. During the pandemic, we were the first in Kuwait to establish a virology lab in the private sector and pioneer a drive-through PCR testing facility, enabling safer, faster access to testing during a critical time.
We’ve also introduced several medical firsts in the private sector in Kuwait. We launched the country’s first and only nuclear medicine center in a private hospital and installed the first 3 Tesla MRI, delivering high-resolution imaging with greater diagnostic precision. In addition, we introduced the only EOS imaging system in Kuwait—an advanced, low-radiation technology that provides full-body scans in just two minutes with 80% less radiation than traditional X-rays.
To support rehabilitation and recovery, we established a state-of-the-art hydrotherapy pool, creating new opportunities for physical therapy and wellness. We’ve also partnered with leading international companies to bring world-class services to our patients. Our collaboration with a specialized European group, allows us to produce custom-made braces and prosthetics in our workshop – the first of its kind in the private sector. Meanwhile, our partnership with Johnson & Johnson has led to the development of a Bariatric Surgery Application that provides personalized education and nutritional guidance to patients before and after surgery.
We’ve also extended our care model beyond the hospital by successfully operating on-site clinics for large corporations, ensuring accessible, high-quality medical services at the workplace.
Each of these initiatives reflects our vision: to lead with innovation, respond with agility, and provide care that is both technologically advanced and deeply human.
Leadership in healthcare comes with its share of challenges. What are some obstacles you’ve faced as CEO, and how have you overcome them?
As CEO of Wara Hospital, I’ve faced several challenges, many of them unprecedented. Perhaps the most significant was leading a newly launched hospital through the COVID-19 pandemic just 9 months after opening our doors in April 2019.
One of the major obstacles was establishing trust and continuity of care during a time of uncertainty. We had to adapt quickly setting up Kuwait’s first private-sector virology lab and the country’s first drive-through PCR testing center. This not only helped meet urgent public health needs but also positioned Wara Hospital as a responsive and reliable healthcare provider.
Another key challenge was achieving and maintaining international healthcare standards while growing rapidly in a competitive market. Securing Canadian Gold Accreditation – and later Platinum – within our first year during a global pandemic was a tremendous achievement, but it demanded unwavering focus on quality, training, and internal alignment.
As a physician-CEO, I’ve also faced the challenge of balancing clinical excellence with operational and financial sustainability. Healthcare is deeply human, but it also requires strategic business thinking. I’ve worked to build a leadership team that shares our mission and complements my strengths—creating a culture of accountability, innovation, and compassion.
Ultimately, I believe challenges are opportunities to lead with purpose. Each obstacle has strengthened our organization and reaffirmed our commitment to delivering world-class care.
Finally, what advice would you offer to aspiring healthcare professionals and future leaders looking to make a meaningful impact in this field?
My advice to aspiring healthcare professionals and future leaders is to lead with purpose, stay grounded in compassion, and never stop learning. Medicine is not just a science—it’s a service to humanity. That mindset should guide every decision you make.
First, always remember why you chose this path. Whether you’re treating patients, managing teams, or designing healthcare systems, your work has the power to profoundly affect lives. Let that responsibility inspire you, not intimidate you.
Second, embrace change and innovation. Healthcare is evolving rapidly—technologically, culturally, and systemically. Stay curious. Be willing to challenge outdated models, and don’t be afraid to be the first to do something differently if it means better outcomes for your patients or your community.
Third, surround yourself with people who elevate your vision. Great leadership isn’t about having all the answers, it’s about building a team that brings diverse skills and perspectives to the table.
