The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) has witnessed a year-on-year growth in the recruitment of nurses as Dubai’s health care sector expands.

Fouad Chehab, director of nursing at Dubai hospital and chairperson of directors of nursing forum at the DHA, said: “Over the last few years, 500 to 800 nurses are appointed every year. The DHA recognises the value of nurses in the health sector, in many ways they are the backbone of the health sector and therefore we have very clear recruitment strategies as well as defined career-growth pathways for nurses.”

As per march 2016, the number of nurses at DHA’s health facilities (five hospitals and 15 health centres) was 4,874 and the nurses are from over 20 countries.

“The Dubai Health Authority organises at least two overseas recruitment trips each year and, once recruited, the nurses have several options to  pursue further training programmes to seek specialisations as well as defined career paths. In 2015, the DHA promoted 1000 nurses and has provided fast-track growth path to exceptional nursing staff. This is one of the reasons our turnover rate is much lower than international standards,” added Chehab.

Chehab also highlighted that the DHA provides several programmes to promote recruitment and retention of Emirati nurses. In the UAE, the number of Emirati nurses is been steadily increasing to a number of training colleges and thanks to the active role played by various health authorities across the UAE to promote and develop this field.

“At the DHA we have fast-track career path options for Emirati nurses. They are also given scholarship to pursue higher studies in nursing, previously they needed to go abroad but now several colleges are available within the country itself,” Chehab concluded. -TradeArabia News Service