Dubai: Marking a significant milestone in trauma care, the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) has signed an agreement with Berlin for collaboration in trauma and orthopaedic surgery training.
The agreement paves the way for resident doctors in Dubai to complete their six-year German board residency training programme in trauma and orthopaedic surgery without having to go abroad for the first five years. This essentially means the Chamber of Physicians in Berlin and the German Orthopaedic Board have recognised, for the first time, an international health facility to be on a par with the health services provided by German health facilities.
At the end of six years, DHA resident doctors will receive a German Board specialisation after fulfilling the necessary requirements.
It is important to note that with the high rate of population growth there has been a significant rise in road accidents-related trauma in the emirate and these cases require specialised care. The collaboration will equip UAE doctors to deal with trauma care.
Commenting on the landmark agreement, the director-general of DHA, Eisa Al Maidour, said: “This is a moment of pride for us. This is the first time the German Board has signed such an agreement with an international health entity. The agreement opens the doors for our doctors in Dubai to seek specialisation in trauma and orthopaedic surgery in Dubai while ensuring they get a German Board qualification. The programme is mirrored to follow the German programme, meaning our doctors will seek an international qualification without having to move abroad for several years.”
He added that continuous medical education and human resource development are important pillars, particularly for the health sector.
Gunther Jonitz, President of Chamber of Physicians in Berlin, seconded this opinion. He said: “Human capital is the most valuable resource and cooperation as well as continuous medical education is important to ensure better patient outcomes. This is a pilot project, a new way of cooperation and, in future, this can be the blueprint for cooperation in other medical specialities as well.”
