Dubai: Rashid Hospital nurses sing and dance to celebrate International Nurses Day

Dubai: Music, dance, and heartfelt celebrations filled the auditorium of Rashid Hospital in Dubai as more than 1,600 nurses took centre stage, showcasing their talents and cultural heritage to mark International Nurses Day 2025.

What made the celebration special was not just the applause they received, but the energy they poured into the performances rehearsed in spare moments amid their demanding medical duties.

The nurses paid attention to include shows that send out socially relevant messages including “Say No to Mobile Addiction” and even simulated real life scenes from hospital wards on stage for their skits.

From traditional Emirati dances to Indian, Filipino, African and Western performances and multicultural food displays, the event was a moving tribute to the spirit and strength of Dubai’s frontline heroes.

Instead of scrubs, male and female nurses put on colourful costumes for the talent show.

Some female nurses from Kerala even traded blood pressure cuffs and thermometers for swords and shields as they performed a dance incorporating Kalaripayattu, a traditional martial art from the South Indian state.

This year’s celebration followed a special honouring ceremony of the nurses by National Air Cargo, who partnered with Rashid Hospital in view of the International Nurses Day observed on May 12 to commemorate the birth anniversary of Florence Nightingale—the pioneer of modern nursing.

The nurses' day event this time started with the hospital management, along with Jacob Matthew, President of National Air Cargo, visiting all the wards in the hospital, distributing flowers and gift hampers to the nurses and medical staff, honouring them on the special day.

Later, all the nurses and dignitaries joined a full-day celebration hosted at the Rashid Hospital auditorium. After the initial felicitation speeches and wishes, retired nurses with services over 40 years with Rashid Hospital were honoured with special mementoes.

The hospital leaders and Matthew praised the nurses’ selfless service and critical role in patient care.

The event, led by the hospital’s Director of Nursing Akram Al Ahmad and Director of Shared Support Services Hamad Al Attar, also featured a festive food exhibition and interactive games to cap the joyous occasion.

The logistics company began appreciating the nurses’ commitment to patient care with a small giveaway during the COVID-19 pandemic days in 2020. Since 2021, it has been partnering annually with Dubai Health Authority and Rashid Hospital to celebrate the Nurses Day by honouring the nurses with roses and gifts, recognising their invaluable contributions to healthcare.