Held under the patronage of the Chairperson of Dubai Healthcare City Authority (DHCA), HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, wife of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, DHCA today announced the third edition of its Excellence Awards, introducing nursing and research categories.

With a vision to strengthen healthcare capability in accordance with HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s Fifty-Year Charter that mandates transformation of the UAE’s medical system, DHCA’s 3rd edition with its nursing and research categories along with awards for allied healthcare professionals and physicians will commend healthcare organizations and individuals in Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC). 

Nursing is a critical component of the health sector with nurses and midwives often being the frontline of healthcare service delivery or key players in health teams. The World Health Organization (WHO) states that globally there is a shortage of health workers, in particular nurses and midwives, who represent more than 50% of the current shortage, and that by 2030, the world will need an additional 9 million nurses and midwives.

In response to the global call to further develop the nursing field, through the Excellence Awards, DHCA will provide a platform to the free zone’s 1,500 plus nurses to showcase their achievements and demonstrate their commitment to evidence-based patient care. The evaluation of all entries under nursing will be done by the country’s policy-setting body, the UAE Nursing and Midwifery Council that sets out to promote and advance nursing and midwifery services.

In the same spirit, the Award’s research category will advance research by recognizing efforts by scientists and healthcare professionals in DHCC. The award is also open to DHCC-based organizations that fund medical research in the UAE.

As of 2018, there are more than 40 research projects conducted by DHCC-based facilities. In addition, medical universities and philanthropic organizations in DHCC involved in research are eligible. Through this research award, DHCA demonstrates its efforts towards achieving the UAE Vision 2021 and National Agenda in transitioning to a knowledge-based economy and promoting innovation, and research and development. 

“Since the inaugural Dubai Healthcare City Authority Excellence Awards in 2017, we have showcased the remarkable work done by our partners, and for the third year in a row, we will reinforce our pursuit for excellence and innovation in healthcare,” said Dr Ramadan AlBlooshi, CEO, Dubai Healthcare City Authority – Regulatory. He added, “In 2018, we had 15 winners; this year, we will have more than 30. We are excited about opening the awards for nurses, researchers, physicians, young professionals, inspiring women in healthcare and volunteers.” 

The 2019 edition will follow the same structure as the previous years with two broad categories - Excellence Awards and Recognition Awards, each with five and four sub-categories respectively. Under excellence, awards will commend innovation in hospitals and clinics; quality compliance in outpatient clinics; and individual awards for distinguished nurses, physicians and allied healthcare professionals. Under recognition, awards will celebrate research, volunteerism, inspiring woman in healthcare, and young healthcare professional.

Submissions will remain open until Thursday, March 7, 2019. Facilities within the DHCC free zone that have been operational for more than a year are eligible to apply here. Entries will be selected by an independent judging panel and the award ceremony is expected to take place in May 2019.