Photo has been used for illustrative purposes.

Mariecar Jara-Puyod, Senior Reporter

From granting special long-term residence visas to expatriates who have contributed exemplarily to the growth of the UAE, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on Saturday, announced the country’s leaders decision to grant citizenship – a landmark – to investors, doctors, scientists, artists, and other talented expatriates, in accordance with pertinent qualifications.

The healthcare management and staff welcome the development. They say it further expands the unending progressing sector that amplifies more the residents’ health and wellness, among other pluses.

Here are viewpoints:

Dr Azad Moopen, Founder Chairman and Managing Director, Aster DM Healthcare: “It is heartwarming and exciting to hear the announcement to allow select categories of people in the UAE to hold dual citizenship. While it will help many people who have played a significant role in the development of the country through years of dedicated efforts, it will also help to attract new talents in various specialised fields to this oasis of peace and prosperity. This will further propel the UAE to be one among the most progressive countries in the world. I applaud the remarkable initiative adopted by the Visionary Rulers of the UAE.”

VPS Healthcare chairman/managing director Dr. Shamseer Vayalil: “The decision of the UAE government to bestow citizenship to investors and specialised professionals is historic. The UAE is a land of great opportunities and potential. The landmark decision would attract talented professionals to the UAE. It scripts another success story in the history of the country. The UAE is one of the ideal destinations in the world for investments. The ease-of-doing-business and the support of the leadership have helped many like me in realising dreams. The decision to grant citizenship to highly qualified and talented professionals would see an influx of the world’s brightest minds to the UAE. It has come at the right time. It is a great opportunity and honour for residents like us.”

RAK Hospital executive director Dr. Raza Siddiqui: “The new citizenship law is a great move by the UAE government and will certainly boost the economic growth and confidence as well as put the country on par with many developed (nations). The UAE is the best place in the world to live, work and raise a family, a welcoming country offering high-quality lifestyle choices, housing, best of education while also providing a very safe and secure environment for its people. However we have been losing a lot of talent to the Western world but with the new law in place, not only talented individuals but several others will have the opportunity of making the UAE their permanent abode.”

Prime Medical Center medical director Dr. Alok Chaubey: “This will inculcate a high degree of assimilation with impact potential in taking ecologically sustainable timely nurtured society to the highest level of excellence with best available in-house expertise.”

Emirates Specialty Hospital Dubai consultant general surgeon Dr. KG Mathew: “The granting of citizenship to the pool of skilled workers in the UAE is no doubt an excellent initiative. For instance in the aspect of healthcare, it will help retain professionals which ultimately translates to world standards of care. In the future we may see the UAE as the innovative centre of the world. Such professionals can aim to invest in property in the UAE, thereby making it their home.”

Aster Specialist Centre for Orthopedics & Physiotherapy (Al Qusais, Dubai) Orthopaedic Surgery specialist Dr. Kirti Mohan Marya: “For doctors, artists and other professionals who have contributed to the vibrant and thriving socio-economic progress that the UAE has seen over recent decades, no better reward could have been more gratifying than being offered a citizenship of the UAE.”

Prime Medical Center-Al Barsha (Dubai) general practitioner Dr. Clarissa Sagun: “Granting UAE citizenship to doctors is a big boon to the healthcare sector. It will give us a sense of certainty. We can now focus more on our jobs rather than worrying where to stay in the future. So happy to hear about this great news.”