The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has announced it will offer a number of nursing scholarships across number of local universities. The Ministry will accordingly bear the cost of education, transportation and accommodation of Emirati students in addition to offering them monthly financial incentives in bid to boost the total number of qualified Emirati nursing cadres. It also unveiled job opportunities in the nursing and midwifery sector.

The Ministry’s announcement was made during the International Education Show 2020 held at Expo Centre Sharjah from January 22 to 24.

While taking part in the show, the Ministry focused on promoting the nursing profession as part of its efforts to Emiratize this profession by encouraging Emirati students to join the nursing and midwifery majors.

Dr Sumaya Al Balushi, Director of Nursing Department, MoHAP, said: “Nursing is a highly respected profession and among the ministry’s top priorities. And since the International Education Show is the best platform for educational institutions from across the region and world, we decide to take advantage of it to support the Ministry’s efforts being made to increase the percentage of Emiratis specializing in nursing”.

She added that the Ministry has put in place an effective plan to enhance the attractiveness of this profession depending on three key pillars including stimulation, awareness and media, while the third pillar focuses on education and training to make nursing an attractive profession for Emiratis.

The Ministry’s participation in the show comes in line with its strategy and vision to promote available job opportunities and increase the percentage of national cadres working in the nursing, medical, technical and administrative specialties, Al Balushi further said.

“Our presence in the event have also helped bolster our cooperation with a number of local universities to provide scholarships and training courses and encourage young citizens to enroll in nursing specializations including intensive care, emergency, neonatal intensive care, and other specialties. Our plan for the moment is meant to prepare distinguished national cadres able to compete in the labor market, provide appropriate job opportunities and change the stereotype of the nursing profession,” Al Balushi highlighted.

It is noteworthy that the Ministry of Health, represented by the Nursing Department organized, in cooperation with the Ministry of Education, a number of workshops for school students as part of the academic and professional counseling program themed “Determine and join the Emirati nursing cadres. The workshops aimed to introduce school students to the nursing profession and the important role of nursing cadres can play within the health sector as well as to scholarship program.

Separately, Emirati Nurse Leader at the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention, Shaikha Al Ali, participated in the ‘Edward Jenner Programme for Leadership Skills’ organised by Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children (GOSH) in cooperation with the Scholarship Office at the Ministry of Presidential Affairs in Abu Dhabi, which took place in London, United Kingdom.

The programme aims to develop the leadership skills of workers in the healthcare sector in order to enhance their abilities, help to simplify their job pathway and to provide a healthcare service with positive outcomes for the patients. The programme is not only aimed for leaders, it provides trainees with ways to develop, so that they can understand the challenges that the healthcare sector faces within their specialties. Additionally, the programme enables them to adjust more easily when taking on leading positions in the future.

Shaikha Al Ali was impressed with the approach of the programme and the level of organisation she witnessed by the staff of the hospital from a managerial aspect and working with patients. She expressed feeling honoured and delighted at having participated in this unique journey, which boosted her skills in managing the affairs of her patients and work colleagues. She noted the importance of the ‘Edward Jenner Leadership Skills Programme’ which has come at a key point in her career journey, especially as she has started the new position as the Nursing Director of Operations and the Policies and Planning Specialist within the Nursing Department.