Under the “Leadership Development Program,” the Ministry of Health and Prevention hosted a workshop recently for Emirati nurses held under the patronage of H.E. Dr. Yousif Al Serkal, Assistant Undersecretary for the Hospitals Sector, at the Training and Development Center in Sharjah. Coinciding with the workshop was the renewal of license of 16 trainees during the event that also saw the attendance of Dr. Sumaya Mohammed Al Balushi, Director, Department of Nursing.
Dr. Christine Koreishi, Dean of the Nursing College at Ohio University and Consultant at International Council of Nurses (ICN), was the main speaker who made a presentation based on the ICN- and World Health Organization (WHO)–approved updated trainers program.
H.E. Dr. Al Serkal said: “The UAE is the first country in the world to implement the updated trainers' program as part of our effort to improve the leadership capacity and skills of our healthcare staff. After attending the workshop, the participants are competent to provide training to their peers under the ‘Leadership Development Program.” The Ministry is cooperating with the WHO and the ICN to implement the program, which is considered a global project of the ICN.”
H.E. Dr. Al Serkal pointed out that the program is part of the national initiative to attract UAE citizens to the nursing profession as an effective means to build an excellent local healthcare system, promote Emiratisation within the industry, and reinforce the UAE’s position as one of the best countries in the regional and global healthcare industries.
Dr. Al Balushi said: The “Leadership Development Program” focuses on implementing changes in the healthcare system related to the nursing profession in accordance with the latest international standards. The updated program assists Nurse Leaders to understand current changes in the healthcare domain as well as understand the economics of offering high-quality nursing services.
She added: “The UAE is the first country in the Middle East to implement the first edition of this program in 2002-2004, with 29 participants. Eight of them were chosen as the program trainers. In 2018, 17 trained nurses graduated from the program.”