Shaheer Saleem VP : From Modest Beginnings To A Modern Healthcare Haven
Shaheer Saleem VP
CEO
In 2019, armed with an MBA from Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), he returned to India and launched Alfa Medicare Hospital, a modest five-bed outpatient clinic built with a clear mission, which is to deliver high-quality, reliable, and affordable healthcare in his hometown.
Over time, Alfa Medicare Hospital evolved into a 35-bed, state-of-the-art hospital with specialized units, including ICUs and operating theaters. What sets the facility apart is not just its infrastructure but its unwavering commitment to ethical practices and transparent pricing.
“Unlike some competitors who attract patients with low rates only to surprise them with hidden costs later, we believe in fair, fixed pricing. Our patients know they can trust us”, he says.
Shaheer also implemented a comprehensive Electronic Health Record (EHR) system, reducing clinical errors by up to 60 percent and streamlining data retrieval for insurance processes. By segmenting room options from basic to suite-level accommodations, Alfa Medicare Hospital has managed to offer a comfortable experience for patients of all financial backgrounds. Let's dive into a conversation with Shaheer.
Tell us about your motivation behind establishing a state-of-the-art healthcare facility in a small town.
My father was a remarkable man with an accomplished career, who in his later years immersed himself in agriculture, cultivating paddy fields and was well known for growing a unique, locally patented green chilli that only grows in our village. His humility and warmth left a mark on everyone he met, ensuring no one felt his presence unhappy.
However, he battled chronic kidney disease and was on regular dialysis at Aster MIMS. One of the things we both had in common was our dream to establish a hospital in our village where people could access quality care. As I come from a family of doctors, where three of my sisters and a brother are all in the medical field, and I am an engineer and businessman, I always felt that while my siblings could provide the medical care, someone had to manage and build the institution behind it. This drove me to healthcare entrepreneurship.
Could you share some insights about the growth of Alfa Medicare Hospital over time
We began as a small clinic with a modest five-bed setup as an outpatient facility. Hence, patients had to travel to hospitals in nearby towns for advanced treatment. With a vision of expanding, we established a full-fledged hospital with 35 beds, spanning a few rooms and a minor ward.
We gradually built the hospital from the ground up, adding operating theaters, ICUs, and specialized facilities. By understanding the backgrounds of patients, we designed various classes of rooms, starting from basic rooms to suites, combining comfort and affordability.
Unlike some competitors who lure patients with unrealistically low package rates, only for the final bill to balloon with hidden costs, we maintain fixed and honest pricing and transparency. Technology has also played a major role in our evolution.
We have implemented an Electronic Health Record (EHR) system, which digitizes every patient’s data, reducing clinical errors by 50–60 percent and simplifying record retrieval, especially for insurance claims that may arise years later.
We have grown from a basic clinic to a modern, reliable, and patient-first hospital focused on trust, technology, and transparency.
What is your vision going forward?
We are already in the process of building a 100-bedded hospital. The land acquisition has been completed and we have also received NABH accreditation. Going forward, my vision for Alfa Medicare Hospital over the next five years is to continue evolving with the latest advancements in healthcare
Sometimes, solutions come from the most unexpected sources
Could you share some insights about the growth of Alfa Medicare Hospital over time
We began as a small clinic with a modest five-bed setup as an outpatient facility. Hence, patients had to travel to hospitals in nearby towns for advanced treatment. With a vision of expanding, we established a full-fledged hospital with 35 beds, spanning a few rooms and a minor ward.
We gradually built the hospital from the ground up, adding operating theaters, ICUs, and specialized facilities. By understanding the backgrounds of patients, we designed various classes of rooms, starting from basic rooms to suites, combining comfort and affordability.
Unlike some competitors who lure patients with unrealistically low package rates, only for the final bill to balloon with hidden costs, we maintain fixed and honest pricing and transparency. Technology has also played a major role in our evolution.
We have implemented an Electronic Health Record (EHR) system, which digitizes every patient’s data, reducing clinical errors by 50–60 percent and simplifying record retrieval, especially for insurance claims that may arise years later.
We have grown from a basic clinic to a modern, reliable, and patient-first hospital focused on trust, technology, and transparency.
What is your vision going forward?
We are already in the process of building a 100-bedded hospital. The land acquisition has been completed and we have also received NABH accreditation. Going forward, my vision for Alfa Medicare Hospital over the next five years is to continue evolving with the latest advancements in healthcare
technology while maintaining a patient-first approach.
Our top priority is staying updated with innovations and making healthcare delivery more agile, efficient, and outcome-driven. I want to ensure that even the smallest tasks lead to meaningful results by simplifying processes without compromising quality.
As we move forward, training will remain a constant focus, especially for the younger generation, who are digital natives.
We aim to guide and equip them with the right skills, ethics, and understanding to thrive in a healthcare setting, along with measuring success with patient outcomes and satisfaction. Our team must be aligned with that purpose, which is to serve with empathy, ethics, and excellence.
Based on your extensive experience in the industry, what advice would you give aspiring healthcare leaders?
I always emphasize staying adaptable and curious and never stop learning, which are the core of my motivation. I encourage my team to be open to learning from everyone. Sometimes, solutions come from the most unexpected sources. Above all, I tell my team to stick to their ethics.
Integrity and a willingness to listen and grow matter the most. Do your work sincerely, with a good heart and a clear mind. Monetary success will follow.
You don’t need to chase it through short cuts or unethical means. If you stay true to your values and remain committed to growth, everything else will fall into place.
Shaheer Saleem VP, CEO, Alfa Medicare Hospital
A visionary leader with international entrepreneurial experience, Shaheer is revolutionizing access to quality health -care in Kerala’s emerging towns. His work is reshaping rural healthcare delivery by making excellence in treatment both accessible and affordable.
•Hobbies: Automobile enthusiast and basketball lover
•Favorite Book: How to Change Your Mind by Michael Pollan
•Travel Destinations: Drawn to mountains scenic landscapes, and trekking
•Favorite Cuisines: Western and Middle Eastern
Awards & Recognition:
•Recipient of numerous awards in construction and healthcare innovation
Our top priority is staying updated with innovations and making healthcare delivery more agile, efficient, and outcome-driven. I want to ensure that even the smallest tasks lead to meaningful results by simplifying processes without compromising quality.
As we move forward, training will remain a constant focus, especially for the younger generation, who are digital natives.
We aim to guide and equip them with the right skills, ethics, and understanding to thrive in a healthcare setting, along with measuring success with patient outcomes and satisfaction. Our team must be aligned with that purpose, which is to serve with empathy, ethics, and excellence.
Based on your extensive experience in the industry, what advice would you give aspiring healthcare leaders?
I always emphasize staying adaptable and curious and never stop learning, which are the core of my motivation. I encourage my team to be open to learning from everyone. Sometimes, solutions come from the most unexpected sources. Above all, I tell my team to stick to their ethics.
Integrity and a willingness to listen and grow matter the most. Do your work sincerely, with a good heart and a clear mind. Monetary success will follow.
You don’t need to chase it through short cuts or unethical means. If you stay true to your values and remain committed to growth, everything else will fall into place.
Shaheer Saleem VP, CEO, Alfa Medicare Hospital
A visionary leader with international entrepreneurial experience, Shaheer is revolutionizing access to quality health -care in Kerala’s emerging towns. His work is reshaping rural healthcare delivery by making excellence in treatment both accessible and affordable.
•Hobbies: Automobile enthusiast and basketball lover
•Favorite Book: How to Change Your Mind by Michael Pollan
•Travel Destinations: Drawn to mountains scenic landscapes, and trekking
•Favorite Cuisines: Western and Middle Eastern
Awards & Recognition:
•Recipient of numerous awards in construction and healthcare innovation