Dubai, 28 May 2010 – Dr. Hanif Hassan Ali, UAE Minister of Health, assured that the wise leadership stresses on excellence and quality in all health sectors through training and continuous medical learning that conform to the requirements of the current development phases in order to raise the standards of medical services in all health facilities.
He also noted that the federal government provides the healthcare sector with full support and seeks to improve healthcare services for all the members of the society referring to the importance of the nursing field as a basic aspect for the healthcare sector and the cabinet’s decision for establishing the UAE Nursing and Midwifery Council that is led by Her Royal Highness Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, Wife of His Highness Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, UAE Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.
He said: “The presidency and the support of Her Royal Highness to the council gives us a great support to the achievement of the national objectives as set in the establishment decision of the council referring to the council’s motivations in developing its the goals and programs in a short time span”. This was announced by His Excellency after his attendance to the second meeting of the UAE Nursing and Midwifery Council with representatives from various health authorities and organizations in the UAE.
Dr. Hanif Hassan Ali, UAE Minister of Health noted the importance of research and studies based on facts and information from the current status and reality to develop healthcare plans and programs that coincide with the current requirements of healthcare services. The ministry is also highly interested in consolidating its cooperation with all relevant authorities in order to achieve the new objectives and strategic initiatives.
He commended the efforts of the council members pointing out that the council managed in a short period of time to develop an ambitious strategic plan and an organization structure that were based on local and international studies.
In this context, the UAE Minister of Health signed an agreement with the Higher Colleges of Technology “HCT”Higher Colleges of Technology “HCT” to develop and manage the nursing institutes in the UAE where the programs and curriculums would reach international levels and allow its graduates to obtain a B.A. degree following a masters degree in the future. The ministry will also communicate with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research to ensure the quality of the nursing learning outcomes.
Meanwhile, the council discussed in the meeting its proposed strategic plan for the next three years, regulatory framework and the needed budget to achieve the set goals and accomplishments of the ministerial decision for establishing the council. The members approved the main guidelines of the plan according to a certain timeline and schedule and discussed the implementation provisions and proposals of the supported budget.
The members also talked about the national standards that coincide with international standards to improve the profession especially in education, practices and services, registration and licensing, in light of the objectives of the proposed strategy. In addition, the Council also discussed the workshop that will be organized in cooperation with the World Health Organization from 5-19 June and international experts about regulatory frameworks and the latest developments in the nursing and midwifery field.
The Council discussed the needed research plan to establish a comprehensive database about the nursing field in the UAE as well as the set up of international nursing research programs and the development of develop nursing learning outcomes in order to achieve healthcare quality in hospitals and healthcare centers.
The UAE Nursing and Midwifery Council was established in recognition of the importance of high quality nursing and midwifery professions to the healthcare in the UAE. It aims to ensure that the public has access to safe, competent nurses and midwives. While the Ministry of HealthMinistry of Health aims for raising the nursing field in the UAE through discussing all the updates of the profession and attracting local human resources to study nursing sciences and encouraging them to work in the field.
The Council settled on the fundamental principles of the organizational structure for the years 2010-2012 and internal regulations of the council’s work.
The Council also endorsed the importance of activating the plan to achieve communication between all relevant parties who are involved in the health sector as well as nursing and midwifery field. The members also discussed the issue of employment and defined their roles according to the approved organization structure. The UAE Nursing Council began setting up the standards, regulations and practices of the nursing and midwifery profession in terms of unifying their education standards, registration and licensing systems of the profession.
In this context, the Ministry of HealthMinistry of Health agreed with one of the specialized agencies to apply a methodology for analyzing manpower in the nursing and midwifery field in different hospitals and healthcare centers as well as developing policies that will be needed for promoting the profession. Hence, the organization structure of the council includes specialized departments for licensing and registration, nursing care and education standards and research. The Council also approved the formation of three scientific committees: education, services and care, licensure and regulation.
The second meeting was attended by representatives from the Ministry of HealthMinistry of Health, Ministry of Education, Nursing and Health Institutes, Health authorities in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, Ministry of Interior, Military Health Services, Dubai Healthcare City, Nursing Association, Emirates Medical Association and Healthcare in the private sector.