Wael Kabli: Leading the Future of Healthcare Innovation

In the ever-changing healthcare industry, visionary leaders are driving transformative innovation. They are leading initiatives to revolutionize patient care, improve operational efficiency, and integrate cutting-edge technologies. Their innovative visions inspire teams to adopt new approaches and prioritize preventive care, shaping a future where healthcare is more accessible, efficient, and personalized to individual needs.

Wael Kabli embodies this visionary leadership in healthcare innovation, drawing from his extensive background in technology and a commitment to proactive wellness. As CEO of Cura, he champions a transformative approach that integrates telehealth solutions and personalized care, making healthcare accessible and effective. His leadership emphasizes excellence, fostering a collaborative environment that values diverse perspectives and empowers individuals.

Kabli’s passion for impactful change drives Cura’s mission to revolutionize healthcare, ensuring a future where well-being is prioritized through innovative, holistic strategies across the Middle East and beyond.

To learn more about Kabli, Healthcare Eureka had an interview with him. Below are the excerpts from the interview:

Cura's Mission and Vision: A Holistic Approach to Empowering Wellbeing

Cura’s mission is to fundamentally transform how individuals and corporations approach healthcare. We envision a future where well-being isn’t just a reactive response to illness but a proactive journey of self-care and preventative measures.

Our platform empowers individuals to take charge of their holistic health – encompassing physical fitness, mental well-being, and personalized guidance – all within a convenient and accessible digital ecosystem. Through this 360-degree approach, Cura seeks to revolutionize healthcare across the Middle East. We believe a holistic approach is key to fostering a healthier, happier, and more productive population.

From Tech Consulting to Telehealth Pioneer: Inspiration for Change

My diverse career path has provided invaluable insights that fueled my passion for creating Cura. While at Microsoft Consulting Services for over seven years, I witnessed firsthand the transformative power of technology. However, I also recognized the limitations of traditional healthcare models. The reactive approach often focused on treating illnesses after they arose, neglecting the importance of preventative measures and active, holistic well-being.

This realization, coupled with a growing awareness of the rising prevalence of chronic diseases and mental health concerns, inspired me to explore the potential of telehealth. I envisioned a platform that could make healthcare accessible, affordable, and personalized for everyone. Thus, Cura was born, aiming to bridge the gap between traditional healthcare systems and the proactive needs of individuals seeking to optimize their well-being.

Leading Cura: Embracing Challenges and Fostering Growth

As CEO of Cura, I’ve encountered several challenges. Establishing a new healthcare platform in a competitive market required us to navigate a complex regulatory landscape and build trust with both patients and healthcare providers. Educating the public on the benefits of telehealth and the value of a holistic approach to wellness has been an ongoing effort.

However, overcoming these challenges has been immensely rewarding. We’ve built a strong team of passionate individuals dedicated to Cura’s mission. We’ve fostered trust with leading healthcare professionals who recognize the value Cura brings to their patients. Most importantly, we’ve seen firsthand how Cura empowers individuals to take charge of their health and improve their overall well-being.

Overcoming Obstacles and Leading with Vision

My career journey has been filled with learning experiences, each one shaping my leadership style. A significant challenge I faced early on involved navigating cultural differences while leading a team with diverse backgrounds. Through open communication, empathy, and a focus on shared goals, I learned to create a collaborative and inclusive work environment. This experience instilled in me the importance of fostering trust, respecting diverse perspectives, and valuing each team member’s unique contributions.

As a leader, I believe in the power of a clear vision, effective communication, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. It’s crucial to inspire and empower your team while also fostering an environment where creativity and innovation can thrive.

Cura's Differentiators: A 360-Degree Approach to Well-Being

Cura stands out in the telehealth landscape through our unwavering commitment to a holistic approach. We go beyond basic medical consultations, offering a comprehensive platform that caters to physical fitness, mental health, and personalized guidance. Here’s a breakdown of some key differentiators:

A Comprehensive Ecosystem: while the market is full of fragmented efforts, at Cura we take pride in creating a solution that walks with every user a thorough journey starting from wellness programs, specialty care, home labs, remote patient monitoring, insurance availability, and online consultations, to pharmacy delivery and online sick-leaves.
360-Degree Well-being: Cura integrates fitness trackers, personalized coaching, and mental health resources into a single platform.
Focus on Corporate Wellness: We offer tailor-made programs for companies, promoting employee well-being and boosting overall productivity.
Data-Driven Insights: We leverage data to personalize programs and empower individuals with actionable insights into their health.
Accessibility and Convenience: Our user-friendly app allows users to access consultations, medication delivery, and health services like home labs services, medical insurance incorporation, installments availability, and more.
Personalized Programs: Cura leverages technology and user data to tailor programs and recommendations to individual needs and preferences.
Human Touch: While technology empowers, we believe in the importance of human interaction. Our platform facilitates access to qualified healthcare professionals.
Community Focus: Cura fosters a sense of community through digital interactive features that encourage peer support and motivation.

Recognition and Validation: Fueling Our Mission

Cura and I have been fortunate to receive recognition for our work. These acknowledgements serve as a validation of our efforts and motivate us to continue making a positive impact. Some notable achievements include working closely with Stanford University:

● Being #12 on the Forbes list of 50 Most Promising Startups in Saudi Arabia (2016): This nomination recognized Cura’s innovation in the telehealth space and its contribution since its first day.

● Winning #3rd place in ArabNet Riyadh 2016 Startup Competition and making it to the finals at ArabNet Digital Summit (Dubai – May 2017)

● Hitting Forbes Top 100 Startups in the Arab World in 2017 List

● Cura won the Subah Award in Kuwait in 2017

● Featured among the top successful regional startups powered by the AWS Summit in Bahrain in 2017.

These awards hold immense significance because they reflect the dedication and hard work of our entire Cura team since its early days and across different countries.

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg of our awards list. However, I have a special attachment to the early ones that gave our vision an early validation.

The Future of Healthcare: A Collaborative and Preventative Vision

The future of healthcare in the Middle East lies in a collaborative and preventative approach. I foresee a healthcare landscape where technology empowers individuals to take charge of their well-being, supported by a network of accessible and interconnected healthcare providers.

Cura envisions itself as a key player in this transformation. We will continue to develop our platform to offer even more personalized and data-driven insights, along with fostering stronger partnerships with traditional healthcare providers. By working together, we can create a future where preventative measures take precedence, chronic diseases are better managed, and overall well-being becomes a priority for all.

Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs: Passion, Perseverance, and Impact

For aspiring entrepreneurs, particularly those venturing into the tech or healthcare sectors, my advice is twofold:

Pursue a problem that drives your passion: Building a successful business requires unwavering dedication and resilience. Choose a problem you’re truly passionate about solving, as this passion will fuel your drive during inevitable challenges.
Focus on impact: While building a successful business is important, aim to create a positive impact on the world. Strive to make a meaningful difference through your venture, and prosperity will follow.

Personal Drive: A Passion for Innovation and Well-being

My personal and professional drive stems from a deep-seated belief in the power of technology to improve lives. Witnessing the limitations of traditional healthcare models motivated me to explore how technology could democratize access to healthcare and empower individuals to take charge of their well-being.

This passion extends beyond Cura. I actively participate in industry forums, advocating for the adoption of telehealth solutions and promoting a more holistic approach to healthcare. Seeing the positive impact Cura has on individuals and companies fuels my dedication to continuously innovate and expand our reach.

Cura's Future: Expanding Horizons and Empowering Well-being

Cura’s future is bright. We are constantly innovating and developing new features to enhance the user experience. Here are some exciting highlights of our future plans:

Spreading the corporate wellbeing culture: we seek to leverage comprehensive employee health solutions that are of top-tier quality yet culturally relevant.
Enhancing the App: We are committed to continually improving our app with new features like AI-powered health insights and gamified fitness challenges to keep users engaged and motivated.
Strengthening Partnerships: We are actively forging partnerships with healthcare providers, insurance companies, and corporate wellness programs to offer a more comprehensive and integrated healthcare experience.
Empower a new generation that leverages mental health and wellbeing through a variety of accessible and affordable services, such as 24/7 mental health support, digital coaching and wellbeing programs, digital clinics, wellness centers and more.

We want to create an ecosystem where health enablers are like a bubble surrounding you wherever you go.

A Legacy of Empowering Well-being

The legacy I aspire to leave behind is one of empowering individuals and organizations to prioritize well-being. I envision a future where Cura is synonymous with a holistic approach to healthcare, recognized for its contribution to creating a healthier, happier, and more productive population across the Middle East. We are confident that by embracing technology and prioritizing well-being, we can revolutionize healthcare in the Middle East and beyond, where health and fitness are not a privilege, just a choice that is a click away from everyone.