To foresee the future of healthcare leadership for the next fifty years in the country
In the presence of H.E. Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Education and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the NIHS, along with members of the Board of Directors, the new headquarters of the National Institute for Health Specialties (NIHS) was inaugurated this morning, on May 23, 2023, at the College of Medicine and Health Sciences on the university campus.
In his speech, H.E. Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, the Minister of Education and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the NIHS, explained, “The Institute’s goals are centered around the development of the health sector in the country, elevating the scientific level and health professions, and enhancing the quality of higher medical education and specialized training programs. Our efforts are directed towards organizing specialized training and ensuring the quality of education and clinical work. This requires the NIHS to work on setting standards for health specialization programs, which are among the tasks of the Institute. We also play a crucial role in evaluating health institutions for the specialized training purposes, as well as for institutional and program accreditation.”
He pointed out that “the provision of world-class healthcare is one of the six pillars of the national agenda of the United Arab Emirates. The government is making continuous efforts to enhance the well-being and healthcare of the population, both citizens and residents. In this context, the NIHS was established by Cabinet Decree No. 28 of 2014 as a national institution mandated to spearhead, regulate, and organize professional development for the health workforce with a particular emphasis on specialty training.”
H.E. added, “The vision of the NIHS is to develop a highly qualified health workforce able to support the health system and promote health and wellbeing. It also aims at developing the health sector in the country. This is achieved by raising the scientific and professional levels of physicians and health professions in various specialties, through cooperation with educational institutions and bodies, and medical and health organizations both inside and outside the country.”
Dr. Mohammed Al Houqani, NIHS Secretary General, explained that this inauguration of the center in its new headquarters at the College of Medicine and Health Sciences at the UAE University aligns with the national strategic plan to develop the health sector in the country. The institute envisions expanding the establishment of specialized health programs based on the country’s needs, in consultation with the relevant health authorities. This expansion will include nursing and allied health specialties and focus on strengthening the institutional governance, accreditation, and evaluation systems to ensure the highest quality for the residency programs. The institute aims to promote the use of technology and digital transformation to support its activities. It also emphasizes enhancing cooperation, building partnerships at local and international levels, and further developing the institute’s structure and capabilities. These efforts aim to position the NIHS as a distinguished specialized organization regionally and globally.
Al Houqani, NIHS Secretary General, indicated that the institute, in cooperation with the scientific committees, has developed the requirements for accreditation in 38 specialties, including medical and dental fields. Currently, 12 training institutions and 21 specialized programs have been accredited, resulting in a total of 556 residents being trained under the institute’s umbrella. Furthermore, he mentioned that the Emirati Board Exams will commence in June 2023 for trainees enrolled in accredited programs. Notably, the Emirati Board Certificate has been categorized as a tier qualification by the health licensing authorities in the country.
Al Houqani, NIHS Secretary General, noted that today we will hold a meeting for the Board of Directors to discuss Emirates Board Certification Eligibility, maintenance of certification, as well as the names of the Institute's certificates and its qualifications. Additionally, the meeting will cover many other topics related to the future of healthcare in the country.
