To celebrate Emirati Children’s Day, which takes place on March 15 every year, Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC), today welcomed young students to hospitals in the free zone, inspiring them to pursue careers in medicine, and give back to the community through healthcare.

In partnership with the UAE Ministry of Education, DHCC organized tours to pediatric and general wards at Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Hospital-Dubai, Emirates Specialty Hospital, and Mediclinic City Hospital. 

More than 20 students, aged between seven and 12, along with their teachers from the Jumeirah School for Basic Education interacted with physicians and nurses, learning about the life-saving profession from professionals themselves in various disciplines including emergency and pediatrics. The students were also able to understand patient rights such as the right to have things explained to them and equal treatment as patients. 

Through this initiative, DHCC is providing much-needed awareness about the rewards of studying medicine, said Kawthar Kazim, Vice President of Business Support, Dubai Healthcare City Authority. “We are giving young students a glimpse into the profession in a way that can help nurture interest, and develop a generation of home-grown medical professionals.”  

The spirit of Emirati Children’s Day for 2019 as guided by HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women's Union, President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation, is to ensure that children, the creators of the future and leaders of tomorrow, benefit from greater efforts to ensure their health, social and cultural growth, and wellbeing. 

The students got the chance to see technology advances in healthcare at DHCC when they visited one of the leading digital hospitals which is a paperless hospital model that provides accurate and real-time data through technology to doctors.

“Giving children a chance to role play or dress-up play has been proven to have a positive association. Through this initiative, we were able to familiarize children with the medical profession in a real-life environment,” said Dr Taha Al Hazarmerdi, General Manager of Dr. Sulaiman Habib Hospital. 

Commenting on the initiative, Ala Atari, MD and CEO of Emirates Specialty Hospital, said, “As an inspiration to the next generation, the Emirati children of today are constantly making a difference to society. Treasuring and developing them will form a strong foundation for our country's future.” 

At Mediclinic City Hospital, students toured the hospital’s redeveloped pediatric ward. Matthew Dronsfield, Hospital Director said, “It [pediatric ward] is designed to be a home away from home for our younger patients,” adding, “we are proud to host such an event that gives children an insight into the daily lives of our doctors and nurses.” 

Photo Caption: Students from the Jumeirah School for Basic Education toured hospitals in Dubai Healthcare City in celebration of Emirati Children’s Day. They interacted with doctors and nurses, first-hand, who talked to them about several disciplines including emergency and pediatrics.