She set up the Zulekha Healthcare Group in 1961 and quickly went from being a young medical graduate to a practising physician serving patients from all walks of life. Her work soon made her a household name in her new adopted home and her company now employs around 1,050 staff and treats over 550,000 patients per year. As well as running hospitals in Dubai and Sharjah, the firm also oversees two medical centres and three pharmacies. It now offers specialised treatment in over 20 disciplines, from gynaecology to cosmetology. Future plans include a new IVF laboratory, a fully fledged trauma centre, and a catheterisation laboratory in Dubai.

Two years ago, Daud signed a $24m financing deal with the World Bank to provide hospital care in India and the UAE.