SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)

Emirati Doctor's Day, marked annually on March 11, celebrates the dedication of the UAE's doctors and acknowledges their efforts in safeguarding public health.

The national day also highlights the competence of Emirati doctors in disease prevention, thereby enhancing the nation's healthcare system.

According to Emirates Health Services, both public and private healthcare sectors mark the occasion with campaigns and interactive initiatives celebrating Emirati doctors, and their humanitarian role.

Speaking to Aletihad on the occasion, Dr. Rashed Obaid Alsuwaidi, Director-General of the Abu Dhabi Public Health Center, said: "Emirati doctors are building a legacy of innovation that is redefining healthcare and empowering the next generation of innovators and medical professionals to push boundaries and explore new frontiers for longer and healthier lives."

Dr. Ali Al Jaberi, a Staff Physician at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi's Digestive Disease Institute, highlighted the transformation driven by innovation in the UAE's healthcare landscape. 

"Medicine is a lifelong commitment to healing, learning, and advancing care. As the UAE's healthcare landscape evolves rapidly, I am honoured to be part of this transformation. Every breakthrough we achieve and every patient we help brings us closer to a future where innovation and compassion go hand in hand. With this progress comes the responsibility of honouring our nation's legacy in healthcare while shaping its future," Dr. Al Jaberi said.

Dr. Al Jaberi further added: "On Emirati Doctor's Day, I celebrate the dedication of my peers who are shaping a healthier tomorrow, and I take pride in contributing to this journey - empowering the next generation of Emirati doctors to push boundaries and redefine excellence."

Dr. Abdulla Al Rahoomi, Consultant of Sports Medicine & Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation in Healthpoint Hospital, and the Founder and President of the Emirates Society of Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine, extended his gratitude to the UAE's leadership for providing the resources, hospitals and equipment that enable Emirati doctors to perform their roles proficiently. 

"As Emirati doctors, we take great pride in our achievements, and the growing number of specialists across various fields, including sports medicine, is a testament to that," he said.

"Today, we have the infrastructure, teams, and technology to offer treatments that were once unavailable in the UAE. Our goal is to continue providing the best services while advancing medical education, particularly in sports and rehabilitation medicine. We are working on specialised programmes to further develop expertise in these fields, ensuring that our medical community continues to thrive," Dr. Al Rahoomi continued.

"The UAE has long been a leader in healthcare, and our mission is to attract talent to further elevate the excellence of our medical staff and the services we provide," he added.