SKMC Celebrates the International Volunteers Day

Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC) managed by Cleveland Clinic will celebrate the International Volunteers Day, from 1:00 pm until 5:00 pm at the hospital’s garden. Different activities are arranged to mark this special day with every volunteer at SKMC in cooperation with Abu Dhabi Police and Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority.

SKMC is part of the SEHA HealthSystem and is owned and operated by Abu Dhabi Health Services Company PJSC (SEHA), which is responsible for the curative activities of all the public hospitals and clinics in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

The event will be attended by members of SKMC and SEHA management. It will include a number of different activities for almost four hours offering the opportunity for the volunteers and patients to spend valuable and joyous time together at SKMC.

Face painting, falconry, Arabic calligraphy, games, arts and crafts, display of police bikes, police dogs and a visit from a cartoon character will be amongst the various activities during the International Volunteers Day at SKMC.

Abdulla Khouri, Deputy Chief Operations Officer stated, “SKMC is pleased to celebrate the International Volunteers Day for the second year with our volunteers. Volunteering is a rewarding job and volunteers are unique individuals in the community.

We would also like to thank Abu Dhabi Police and the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority for encouraging volunteering and for their support in this special celebration with our volunteers.”

“The Volunteers Program at SKMC is an initiative of Abu Dhabi Health Services Company “SEHA” and the management of SKMC, aiming to support the UAE Emiratization plan and to provide an avenue for interested UAE Nationals and expatriates to assist healthcare facilities by performing selected ancillary non-technical tasks providing the best possible support and comfort to our patients, their families and visitors. They reach out with their talent, skills, interest and compassion to help meet the needs of patients and the community,” Mr. Khouri added.

Ibrahim Al Kuwaiti, Patient Experience Director at SKMC said, “The Volunteers Program at SKMC is the first formal volunteering program in a healthcare organization in Abu Dhabi; formally established under the management of SKMC in April 2008.

We currently have 98 active volunteers. However, we had more than 824 different volunteers since we started the program.” He added, “Through our Volunteers Program, we wish to assist the community in making a meaningful difference in the lives of the volunteers.

The program also assists our plans to introduce healthcare services to the youth of UAE and develop their awareness and interest in this sector; support hospital staff in providing the ultimate in healthcare services to the patients and their families; introduce prospective healthcare workers to health careers through observation in the clinical and allied healthcare areas guided and supervised by SKMC management; and provide the Abu Dhabi community the opportunity to participate in our programs.

Volunteering in healthcare is an excellent means of encouraging youngsters to become nurses, doctors, and technologists. It is rewarding for a young person to benefit the society while at the same time increase their own educational experience.” SKMC volunteers must be at least 16 years of age.

They go through an interview and an orientation and training process. They must have good communication skills, interest and passion for customer service, and commitment to work.

In addition to meeting and greeting patients, SKMC volunteers escort patients and their families to various locations within SKMC. They also provide wheel-chair assistance to patients and provide office and administrative assistance in various departments.

Jeehan Al Zaabi, UAE National volunteer currently volunteering at SKMC said, “I am pleased to have undertaken a wide variety of work, from greeting visitors to reading stories to young patients to hospital administrative assistance. I thank SKMC and SEHA for giving UAE nationals and others such a great opportunity to serve the community.

Such programs help the youngsters in deciding on their career pathway and help us explore the wide range of opportunities in the healthcare field. Volunteering is part of our Islamic religion, and is mentioned in our Qura’an several times. We need to consider volunteering in our lifetime; it gives you a meaningful life. Ask me about it!” Rana Darwish, 21 years old from Jordan, volunteered at SKMC for almost two months.

She comments, “I started volunteering at the SKMC from this summer and it has been a journey to remember. I have personally gained a lot of experience in communicating with patients and their families which also assisted me to improve my English language skills .

Since I also volunteered at the Information Desk of SKMC, I have learnt to deal with various situations and various kinds of visitors. Throughout this experience, I have made a couple of new friends and I am pleased to be part of the SKMC Volunteer Program.”

WAM