Topic: 2024-Addressing Healthcare Worker Shortage
Country: UAE (UNSC)
Delegate Name: Miraya Latchamsetty
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) acknowledges the critical importance of healthcare workers in ensuring the well-being and prosperity of our nation. However, the global shortage of healthcare workers poses significant challenges to our healthcare system, impacting our ability to provide quality care to our citizens and residents. As a nation committed to excellence in healthcare delivery, the UAE recognizes the urgent need to address this shortage through strategic initiatives and partnerships.
The UAE faces a growing shortage of healthcare workers across various sectors, including physicians, nurses, allied health professionals, and support staff. This shortage is exacerbated by population growth, increased demand for healthcare services, and competition for talent on a global stage. Despite efforts to attract and retain healthcare professionals, the gap between supply and demand widens, leading to increased workload and strain on existing healthcare personnel.
Several challenges contribute to the healthcare worker shortage in the UAE, including limited domestic workforce capacity, high turnover rates, and reliance on foreign healthcare professionals who may face barriers to entry, such as licensing requirements and cultural adaptation. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has further strained our healthcare workforce, highlighting the need for long-term solutions to strengthen resilience and capacity in the face of future challenges.
To address the healthcare workers shortage the UAE aims to enhance domestic capacity by investing in medical education, nursing schools, and allied health training programs. Provide scholarships, grants, and incentives to attract Emirati youth to pursue careers in healthcare professions. The process of getting the proper licensing and credentials is very extensive and time-consuming, this is a prominent repellent factor for people thinking about the professional. Simplifying the process and implementing recognition mechanisms for international qualifications to ensure standards of competency and quality of care. Healthcare professionals are often seen working extremely long hours and that offsets their work-life balance increases burnout and reduces job satisfaction, with reduced job satisfaction there is reduced professional development. The UAE moves to provide opportunities for continuous professional development, mentorship, and career development to retain talent and enhance retention rates.
The UAE reaffirms its commitment to addressing the healthcare worker shortage as a priority in our national agenda. By implementing strategic initiatives and fostering partnerships, we aim to build a resilient and sustainable healthcare workforce capable of meeting the evolving needs of our diverse population. Together, we can ensure equitable access to quality healthcare services and uphold the highest standards of patient care and safety in the United Arab Emirates.
