One moment changed his life: Dubai Health’s first Emirati male nurse inspired by family crisis

Dubai: Meet Mohammed Saleh Alabdouli – the first Emirati male registered nurse at Dubai Health.

His journey into nursing wasn’t shaped by a childhood dream or family tradition, it began with a moment of helplessness.
Years ago, during Alabdouli’s final year of high school, his younger brother suffered a severe asthma attack and was rushed to the emergency room. As panic filled the air, Alabdouli stood in the waiting area, overwhelmed and unsure. In that distressing moment, he watched a nurse comfort his mother, update the family, and skillfully assist the medical team.

“She wasn’t just treating a patient. She was caring for a whole family in distress,” Alabdouli told Gulf News while marking International Nurses Day, observed on May 12.

‘My mission’
That moment lit a spark within him and left a deep impact.

“I saw the difference a nurse can make – not only clinically, but emotionally. It was then I realised: I didn’t want to stand on the sidelines anymore. I wanted to be that presence for someone else.”
Alabdouli knew he wanted to be the calm in someone else’s storm.
“Since then, nursing became more than a major – it became my mission. I chose nursing because I believe in healing beyond medicine, in compassion as a form of care. Today, working in the Coronary Care Unit at Rashid Hospital, I carry that purpose with me every day, knowing that even the smallest act of empathy can touch a life in ways we may never fully understand.”

Impacting lives
For someone who had always felt a strong calling to help others, nursing gave him the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives every day.
“The ability to support patients and their families during vulnerable moments is what truly drew me to this profession.”

Sense of purpose

Now working in one of the hospital’s most critical units, Alabdouli brings the same compassion and clarity he once witnessed. In a place where every heartbeat matters, he offers not just medical care, but kindness, understanding, and hope.
“What I value most about being a nurse at Dubai Health is the sense of purpose and teamwork. Dubai Health fosters a supportive environment where nurses are empowered to grow professionally while providing compassionate, high-quality care. Being part of such a dedicated and diverse team makes my work deeply rewarding.”