Abu Dhabi: A series of advanced academic programmes by the Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi is now allowing Emirati doctors to specialise closer to home.
Designated as an advanced teaching facility by the Abu Dhabi Department of Health, the multi-speciality hospital that is part of investment company Mubadala’s network of health providers now offers residencies and fellowships for Emirati doctors.

“As a leading complex and critical care hospital, we treat some of the region’s sickest patients and perform procedures offered in select centres around the world, providing a wide range of unique learning opportunities. Combined with our expert faculty teaching, we have an opportunity to transform medical education in the region,” said Dr Murat Tuzcu, chair of the academic office at the hospital.
The hospital took on its first cohort of physician interns in 2017 in advance of opening its first residencies in 2018. Current educational plans at the hospital are centred around meeting specific needs in the local health-care landscape, with a particular focus on surgical subspecialties that are not offered anywhere else in Abu Dhabi.
The hospital currently has eight physician interns, all of whom are Emirati. Three more Emiratis completed their physician intern programmes earlier this year.
“There is a real need for specialist physicians in the Middle East, especially in surgical sub-specialties. Providing these educational opportunities in the UAE will contribute to the sustainability of the health-care sector, but also enhance the care we are able to offer to our patients,” added Dr Sawsan Abdul-Razig, director of medical education at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi.

SOURCE : GULFNEWS