DHA Pioneers Inaugural Accredited Medical Education System in the Private Sector

The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) has introduced the inaugural accredited educational system in the private health sector within the Arab world, sanctioned by the Arab Board for Health Specialisations. Awad Al Ketbi,

Director-General of the DHA, received the accreditation shield from Dr. Omar Al Rawas, Secretary General of the Arab Board of Health Specialisations.

Within this pioneering system, DHA has identified 30 specialized programs, set to be implemented in 24 hospitals and medical centers during the initial phase, with the goal of providing 126 training opportunities for young doctors.

In the initial phase this year, DHA has concentrated on key specialties, including family medicine, internal diseases, general surgery, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, orthopedics, ophthalmology, and a sub-program in fertility medicine. Notably, the fertility medicine program is the first to receive accreditation from the Arab Board for Health Specialisations.

The list of approved hospitals and centers in the first phase includes American Hospital, Saudi German Hospital, Fakeeh University, King’s College, Prime Al Garhoud, Medcare Medical Group, Moorfields Eye Hospital, Barraquer UAE Eye Hospital, Gargash Hospital, Fakih Fertility Center, Orchid Specialized Center, and ART Fertility Clinics, among others.

Al Ketbi emphasized the significance of this initiative, aligning with the vision to advance medical education in the emirate and keep pace with healthcare development. He underscored DHA’s commitment to medical education and training, recognizing it as pivotal for cultivating expertise and supplying the health sector with distinguished medical competencies.

Dr. Marwan Al Mulla, CEO of the Health Regulation Sector, highlighted DHA’s focus on providing a supervisory and administrative structure for residency and fellowship programs in Dubai. This ensures compliance with local, regional, and international accreditation standards, aiming to enhance educational outcomes and ensure the availability of suitable educational and clinical resources.

Dr. Wadeia Mohammad Sharief, Director of the Medical Education and Research Department at DHA, emphasized the importance of investing in training opportunities to expand residency and fellowship programs. This initiative addresses the gap between the increasing number of medical college graduates and the essential specialization opportunities for their professional growth, contributing to the advancement of medical training and continuous medical education.