Dubai: In order to promote and foster Emiratisation, the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) has provided scholarships to five Emirati medical students at the Mohammad Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU) at the Dubai Health Care City (DHCC).

The students in the age group of 17-20 will pursue the six-year undergraduate Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) programme.

This sponsorship, which will include course fee and stipend, is part of the DHA initiative to sponsor 130 Emirati students every year for studies in the fields of medicine, nursing, paramedics and health sciences to fill the demand for Emirati health care specialists in the industry.

Humaid Al Qutami, chairman of the Board and director-general of DHA, said: “These programmes are vital to promote, support and foster Emirati youth to opt for medical services and to seek specialisations and super specialisations in medicine. Highly-qualified health professionals are the backbone of the health sector and through medical scholarship programmes in the country and abroad, we aim to promote an environment of learning in the medical sector.”

Dr Raja Eisa Al Gurg, vice-chairperson of MBRU’s Board of Trustees, said, “Initiatives such as this one taken by the DHA reflect the importance of the joint efforts among stakeholders in attracting Emirati talent to the medical field — a necessity for the progress of our country’s health care sector. This scholarship initiative is an empowering tool for us at MBRU in our quest to build the doctors of tomorrow.”

Reem Al Suwaidi, a 17-year-old student who has been awarded the scholarship, told Gulf News: “I am very proud to be accepted at a university which carries the name of my leader who is my ideal. I want to translate his vision of changing Dubai into a pioneering leader by working hard to complete this course. It is my dream to serve my country and as a doctor I intend to give back my best to the community.”

The other four students who have been awarded the scholarship are Mohammad Al Mousa, 17, Hessa Al Mansouri, 17, Ruda Al Gaithi, 17, and Maha Al Suwaidi, 20.

Once the students complete their MBBS programme, the DHA will provide them with secure jobs at the authority’s hospitals and centres.