Working in Dubai and Fujairah

Sunny blue skies and high temperatures can be expected most of the year. Rain falls on an average of only 25 days per year, mainly in winter (December to March). It rarely rains very heavily or for long periods. Rarely when it does rain, the heavy rainfall can really take its toll on the city. In winter there are occasional sandstorms. The emirate of Dubai is currently ruled by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice president and prime minister of the UAE (who is considered the driving force behind Dubai’s exponential growth) and his brother Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the UAE minister of finance and Industry.

Healthcare in Dubai

Dubai has an excellent healthcare system, with a large number of public and private hospitals and clinics offering state-of-the-art medical technology and the highest standards of medical care. The Government has invested heavily in the health sector, and there is ready access to all forms of medical care for everyone, including visitors and expatriate workers. There is also a high ratio of medical personnel to population, comparable with most developed countries. All types of advanced medical treatment are available in Dubai, including open heart surgery, organ transplants and laser treatment. The UAE has links with many outside medical organisations such as the UK's Royal College of Surgeons, and these links have facilitated the development of excellent local training facilities for UAE doctors and nursing staff. The Dubai Government has implemented a major project to create Dubai Healthcare City, intended to become a regional centre of excellence for medical services, education and research. This will be the world's first healthcare free zone.

Free medical treatment is provided in state hospitals, GP clinics and surgeries. Government-run hospitals include Dubai Hospital, Rashid Hospital, Maktoum Hospital and Al Wasl Hospital. Dubai Hospital is a general hospitals and once of the leading medical centres in the region, while Al Wasl is an excellent Maternity, Gynaecology and Paediatrics hospital.

Private hospitals in Dubai include the American Hospital and the Welcare Hospital.

The American Hospital is the first hospital in the region to have received accreditation from the Joint Commission International Accreditation (JCIA) in the US, and all of its physicians have recognised qualifications from the US or other western countries. The hospital has centres of excellence in cardiac, joint replacement and diabetes care, and offers a full range of primary and secondary medical treatment facilities.

Off Time:

Only 15-20% of the people living in Dubai are Emirates. The rest are expats. Expats report that this makes it easy to find friends and to meet people from other cultures. While Arabic is the country’s language, English is widely spoken and understood.
Many expats express that one of the more surprising aspects they experienced was the cultural awareness. While it is a Muslim country, other religions and views are tolerated. On the beach, one might find a woman in a bikini or a burqa. Both are accepted. There is a plethora of activities in which to partake. One will see advertising for different music festivals, clubs, and restaurants. Dubai also features beautiful beaches, an indoor ski-slope and ice-rink, go-karting, boat cruises, and even swimming with dolphins. It’s difficult to get bored.

Why the need?

The economy has been booming in Dubai for many years now. This ever increasing city has created the need for doctors as well as many other professions. The government has invested heavily in the medical field wanting the region to become the centre of excellence for medical services.

Food:

International fast food chains are common in Dubai, making expats feel at home. Included are Wendy’s, Arby’s, Papa Johns, Hardee’s, Pizza Hut, Subway, Nando’s, KFC, Burger King, McDonald’s, and (of course) Starbucks.