The Covid-19 pandemic has placed the global healthcare sector under immense pressure but this has also opened up a range of employment prospects for certain segments of the industry.
The healthcare jobs currently most sought-after in the UAE include nurses, laboratory technicians and general practitioners, according to recruitment agency Hays.
UAE healthcare employers are also recruiting medical lab technologists, pharmacists, medical receptionists and infectious disease specialists, online recruitment agency Bayt.com says.
“All of these roles vary significantly with regards to the pay on offer and the different skills and experience required," says Melissa Kostler, senior business director for health care in the Gulf region at Hays.
"However, common requirements include candidates with degrees, who hold a UAE practice licence following the rules and laws of the unified healthcare professional qualification requirements and who have post-qualification experience in their relevant field.”
Salaries for workers in the UAE’s life sciences sector, which covers pharmaceuticals and health care, registered the highest increase in 2021, growing by 4.5 per cent compared with 2020, according to HR consulting company Mercer’s Total Remuneration Survey, which polled more than 500 companies.
Demand for home health care has also increased during the pandemic, Ms Kostler says. Patients are now showing a preference for receiving medical treatment within the safety of their own home, for which they are willing to pay a premium, she says.
Nurses
Qualified, experienced nurses are in high demand in the UAE, especially those with intensive care unit experience, according to Dr Sirajudeen Moideen, chairman and managing director of Dr Sirajudeen Medical Group in Dubai.
“Nurses with no experience can get between Dh3,500 and Dh4,000 per month in private clinics while those with experience can get up to Dh6,000. It also depends on their field of experience. Theatre nurses can earn salaries of up to Dh12,000 in bigger hospitals,” says Dr Moideen.
Meanwhile, nurses who take up temporary jobs in Covid-19 vaccination centres can receive between Dh8,000 and Dh9,000 a month, he says.
There is high demand for qualified nurses, particularly those already in the UAE, says Ms Kostler.
Experience is important for nursing positions. Employers look for capable nurses with at least one year of experience in carrying out general health assessments, administering and evaluating patient care, she says.
“This is different from previous years, when demand was higher for more specialist nurses. Salaries of nursing staff have increased up to 50 per cent since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic,” says Ms Kostler.
Lab technicians
The workload for many labs has dramatically increased due to Covid-19, which has boosted demand for lab technicians who collect PCR swab samples and perform tests on collected samples, according to Hays Gulf data.
Salaries of nursing staff have increased up to 50 per cent since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic
Melissa Kostler,
senior business director for health care in the Gulf region at Hays
Employers typically look for lab technicians with at least two years’ post-qualified experience, who are based in the region and hold a licence either from the Dubai Health Authority, the Dubai Healthcare City Authority or the Ministry of Health, says Ms Kostler.
Salaries for lab technician roles have also increased by 20 per cent to 50 per cent since the pandemic, Hays data found.
“Lab technicians can earn between Dh5,000 and Dh7,000 in a private clinic and Dh10,000 in a big hospital,” Dr Moideen says.
While some establishments have had to rethink their hiring efforts and operate on minimum resources, many critical roles are continuing at full capacity or even beyond normal levels.
There is high demand for frontline roles – doctors, nurses and public health experts – involved in battling the spread of the coronavirus, says Shreyansi Gupta, head of marketing at Bayt.com.
General practitioners and others
The demand for general practitioners who can see patients in the comfort and safety of their homes through teleconferencing has also increased since the outbreak of Covid-19, according to recruitment experts.
“GPs are most in demand in the region, of all physician roles. This typically relates to qualified GPs with a minimum of five years’ experience, who are still learning rather than focused in a specific medical speciality,” says Ms Kostler.
Salaries for GPs have remained largely steady each year and recruitment agencies expect this to continue for the rest of 2021.
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UAE salary guide 2021
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GPs in a private clinic earn between Dh15,000 and Dh16,000 a month, Dr Moideen says.
Meanwhile, experienced pharmacists can expect a salary of up to Dh6,000 while experienced medical receptionists can earn between Dh4,000 and Dh5,000.
A receptionist with no experience will draw a monthly salary of Dh3,500, Dr Moideen adds.
“The most common skills required for the aforementioned jobs include in-depth knowledge of health and safety guidelines and procedures, excellent knowledge of nursing care methods and procedures, experience in a healthcare setting, [a] friendly and approachable personality, excellent communication and interpersonal skills, outstanding organisational and multitasking skills, and outstanding research and analytical skills,” says Ms Gupta from Bayt.com.
Talent needed in the pharmaceutical and medical device industries
Meanwhile, pharmaceutical and medical device clients are focusing on recruiting for commercial roles this year, according to Kinetic Business Solutions, which sources professionals for these sectors.
The most in-demand roles include country and general managers, commercial directors, medical representatives and product specialists, and sales, key account, marketing, human resource and finance managers, says Chris Atkinson, managing partner at Kinetic Business Solutions.
“Salaries vary depending on the size of the company. For example, a smaller local company may hire a key account manager for Dh20,000 a month whereas a larger global organisation would pay upwards of Dh30,000 a month,” says Mr Atkinson.
There is high demand for frontline roles – doctors, nurses and public health experts – involved in battling the spread of the coronavirus
Shreyansi Gupta,
head of marketing at Bayt.com
Multinationals pay country and general managers from Dh75,000 to Dh95,000 a month while commercial directors earn Dh70,000 to Dh80,000 and key account managers are paid between Dh25,000 and Dh30,000, according to Kinetic Business Solutions data.
Sales managers earn between Dh30,000 and Dh45,000 a month and marketing managers can receive a monthly salary of Dh40,000 to Dh50,000. On the other hand, HR managers are paid between Dh30,000 and Dh45,000 a month while finance managers receive from Dh35,000 to Dh50,000 a month.
Product specialists are paid between Dh18,000 and Dh23,000 and medical representatives receive Dh15,000 to Dh20,000, the data from Kinetic Business Solutions shows.
All commercial roles come with great bonus schemes on top of the usual company benefits, Mr Atkinson says.
“We are seeing two scenarios this year – pharma and medical device companies coming into the UAE market from overseas to set up regional offices and those already in the UAE launching new products, which means they require a strong sales and marketing team to ensure they hit operational targets,” he says.
The top skills sought by pharmaceutical and medical device companies include the ability to multitask and work well under pressure, adaptability and flexibility, attention to detail and communication, according to Mr Atkinson.
“Mid-level roles require at least more than three years’ experience in a similar role and with the relevant qualifications,” he says.
Most sought-after job roles in UAE health care
- Nurse
- General practitioner
- Lab technician
- Pharmacist
- Medical receptionist
- Infectious disease specialist
ABU DHABI ORDER OF PLAY
Starting at 10am:
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Veronika Kudermetova v Annet Kontaveit (10)
Maria Sakkari (9) v Anastasia Potapova
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova v Ons Jabeur (15)
Donna Vekic (16) v Bernarda Pera
Ekaterina Alexandrova v Zarina Diyas
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
UAE%20v%20West%20Indies
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMascotte%20Health%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2023%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMiami%2C%20US%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Bora%20Hamamcioglu%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EOnline%20veterinary%20service%20provider%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%241.2%20million%20raised%20in%20seed%20funding%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Essentials
The flights
Whether you trek after mountain gorillas in Rwanda, Uganda or the Congo, the most convenient international airport is in Rwanda’s capital city, Kigali. There are direct flights from Dubai a couple of days a week with RwandAir. Otherwise, an indirect route is available via Nairobi with Kenya Airways. Flydubai flies to Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo, via Entebbe in Uganda. Expect to pay from US$350 (Dh1,286) return, including taxes.
The tours
Superb ape-watching tours that take in all three gorilla countries mentioned above are run by Natural World Safaris. In September, the company will be operating a unique Ugandan ape safari guided by well-known primatologist Ben Garrod.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, local operator Kivu Travel can organise pretty much any kind of safari throughout the Virunga National Park and elsewhere in eastern Congo.
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NYBL PROFILE
Company name: Nybl
Date started: November 2018
Founder: Noor Alnahhas, Michael LeTan, Hafsa Yazdni, Sufyaan Abdul Haseeb, Waleed Rifaat, Mohammed Shono
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Software Technology / Artificial Intelligence
Initial investment: $500,000
Funding round: Series B (raising $5m)
Partners/Incubators: Dubai Future Accelerators Cohort 4, Dubai Future Accelerators Cohort 6, AI Venture Labs Cohort 1, Microsoft Scale-up
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
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A new relationship with the old country
Treaty of Friendship between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates
The United kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates; Considering that the United Arab Emirates has assumed full responsibility as a sovereign and independent State; Determined that the long-standing and traditional relations of close friendship and cooperation between their peoples shall continue; Desiring to give expression to this intention in the form of a Treaty Friendship; Have agreed as follows:
ARTICLE 1 The relations between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates shall be governed by a spirit of close friendship. In recognition of this, the Contracting Parties, conscious of their common interest in the peace and stability of the region, shall: (a) consult together on matters of mutual concern in time of need; (b) settle all their disputes by peaceful means in conformity with the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations.
ARTICLE 2 The Contracting Parties shall encourage education, scientific and cultural cooperation between the two States in accordance with arrangements to be agreed. Such arrangements shall cover among other things: (a) the promotion of mutual understanding of their respective cultures, civilisations and languages, the promotion of contacts among professional bodies, universities and cultural institutions; (c) the encouragement of technical, scientific and cultural exchanges.
ARTICLE 3 The Contracting Parties shall maintain the close relationship already existing between them in the field of trade and commerce. Representatives of the Contracting Parties shall meet from time to time to consider means by which such relations can be further developed and strengthened, including the possibility of concluding treaties or agreements on matters of mutual concern.
ARTICLE 4 This Treaty shall enter into force on today’s date and shall remain in force for a period of ten years. Unless twelve months before the expiry of the said period of ten years either Contracting Party shall have given notice to the other of its intention to terminate the Treaty, this Treaty shall remain in force thereafter until the expiry of twelve months from the date on which notice of such intention is given.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned have signed this Treaty.
DONE in duplicate at Dubai the second day of December 1971AD, corresponding to the fifteenth day of Shawwal 1391H, in the English and Arabic languages, both texts being equally authoritative.
Signed
Geoffrey Arthur Sheikh Zayed
Results
2.30pm: Park Avenue – Conditions (PA) Dh80,000 (Dirt) 2,000m; Winner: Rb Seqondtonone, Abdul Aziz Al Balushi (jockey), Helal Al Alawi (trainer)
3.05pm: Al Furjan – Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Turf) 1,200m; Winner: Bosphorus, Dane O’Neill, Bhupat Seemar
3.40pm: Mina – Rated Condition (TB) Dh105,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Royal Mews, Tadhg O’Shea, Bhupat Seemar
4.15pm: Aliyah – Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (T) 1,900m; Winner: Ursa Minor, Ray Dawson, Ahmad bin Harmash
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USA:
Brooks Koepka, Justin Thomas, Dustin Johnson, Patrick Reed, Bubba Watson, Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler, Webb Simpson, Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Bryson DeChambeau ( 1 TBC)
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ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
The tours
A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
The%20specs
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The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
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