Here’s some good news for medical professionals in the UAE!
Healthcare regulating bodies in the United Arab Emirates have unified their licenses, making it possible for doctors, nurses and health professionals to practice anywhere in the Emirates.
The Ministry of Health (MoH), Dubai Health Authority (DHA) and Health Authority of Abu Dhabi (HAAD) signed an agreement in the last week of January for the unification of licenses for medical practitioners in the country. This new law is expected to take effect in three months from now.
Medical practitioners in the country have been eagerly awaiting this unification process for some time as this will greatly enhance their employment chances. Separate licensing was earlier seen as a major hurdle for healthcare professionals, especially for agencies that had operations in various locations across the emirates.
“It’s a new step on the right path in order to unify the regulations, laws and procedures governing this noble human profession,” said Dubai Ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum about the agreement that was signed on the sidelines of Arab Health Exhibition & Congress. Sheikh Mohammed described the Health Exhibition & Congress as an excellent scientific medical demonstration, that provided a collaborative platform to exchange views, ideas, experiences and scientific studies that contribute to the development of health care. He further stressed that the UAE will always remain an oasis of cultural harmony and human generosity.
Ministry sources elaborated that the law would standardize several aspects of medical services in private and public sectors. It would also ensure there was a single format for hiring, and standardized salaries for each job. At present, salaries vary between emirates, with people working at hospitals in Abu Dhabi often earning more than their counterparts in the Northern Emirates.
As investors felt, “This is a good step and now a plenty of medical professionals will be available in the market as they can practice in any emirate with any of MoH/DHA/HAAD licenses.”
Dr. Azad Maoopen, chairman of the Aster DM health-care group, said that the next step needed is to allow qualifying exams that can be held in embassies or consulates in the home countries of the staff being hired.
This is excellent news indeed for all Filipino and Indian nurses and other healthcare professionals looking for work in the Emirates!
