New website encourages UAE Doctors to train in Ireland
Irish postgraduate medical colleges were in Dubai this week to discuss the large range of medical training opportunities in Ireland for doctors from the United Arab Emirates and the wider Gulf region. A new website www.postgraduatemedicaltraining.ie was launched by Her Excellency Ambassador Alison Milton, Irish Ambassador to the UAE, detailing Ireland’s clinical postgraduate training opportunities for doctors from across the GCC. It also shares information on relocation support and benefits of training in Ireland.
The clinical residency and fellowship programmes provided by Irish medical colleges are internationally recognised and fully certified. They offer hands-on supervised training, as well as opportunities for clinical research.
Doctors from the UAE will have the opportunity to move to Ireland and learn from leading experts to develop the medical, communication, management and interpersonal skills required to provide world-class care and enhance the clinical environments in which they operate.
Speaking at the launch of the website, Her Excellency Ambassador Alison Milton, Irish Ambassador to the UAE said: "I’m really delighted to launch this website, which provides such an accessible platform showcasing Ireland’s offer in the field of postgraduate medical training and study. Emirati medical students and practitioners have a long tradition of coming to Ireland to work and study, which we absolutely want to celebrate and foster. I particularly love the ‘Why Ireland’ section of the website, which showcases not only the state-of-the-art medical training facilities our country offers, but also our incomparable landscape and culture which serves as the backdrop to Emirati students’ experience in Ireland."
“The Royal College of Physicians of Ireland has strong links with the United Arab Emirates, partnering with healthcare organisations in the UAE to provide postgraduate medical training opportunities since 2013. These partnerships are highly valued by the College,” Professor Mary Horgan, President of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland said.
“Medical graduates from the United Arab Emirates make significant contributions to our medical teams. Graduates report a very positive experience and, upon returning home to the UAE, they are in a strong position to advance their medical careers and contribute to the development of healthcare in the UAE. There are a growing number of fantastic opportunities for doctors from the UAE to come to Ireland for transformative postgraduate medical training across many specialties and this new website is a comprehensive resource for doctors to explore what’s available,” Prof Horgan said.
Prof Oscar Traynor, Professor of Postgraduate Surgical Education, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) said “RCSI have an established relationship with the UAE in terms of undergraduate medical education and we are delighted to extend this to provide opportunities for postgraduate surgical training in Ireland.”
“Ireland has a rich history of Family Medicine, with General Practice playing a central role in its healthcare system. The scope of practice within Primary Care is very significant, including a leading role in Chronic Disease Management, Mental Health, and Women’s Health. This is reflected in the popularity of the College’s Fellowship Programmes. Feedback from our Fellows indicates that they benefit greatly from clinical practice in Ireland, combined with one-to-one mentoring and exposure to our health system” said Dr Molly Owens, Director of International Programmes, Irish College of General Practitioners.
Speaking at the launch Mr Martin McCormack, CEO of the College of Anesthesiologists of Ireland said: “The practice of medicine and safe surgery is more and more dependent on teams of professionals caring for patients with multiple chronic conditions. Ireland has a strong heritage of postgraduate medical training, preparing doctors for future collaborative practice and this initiative will extend that competency to better fulfil our social contract globally and help produce the most competent practitioners most efficiently.”
The participating Colleges in Ireland include:
- The Royal College of Physicians of Ireland
- The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
- The Irish College of General Practitioners
- College of Anaesthesiologists of Ireland
- Irish College of Ophthalmologists
Image: Leo Clancy, CEO Enterprise Ireland; Siobhan Kelly, CEO Irish College of Ophthalmologists; Prof Oscar Traynor. Professor of Postgraduate Surgical Education, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland; Ambassador Alison Milton, Ambassador of Ireland to the UAE, Qatar and Kuwait; Martin McCormack, CEO of the College of Anesthesiologists of Ireland; Brenda Farrell; Development Executive for International Programmes, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland; John Magner, Royal College of Physicians of Ireland; Donna Wrightson, Programme Coordinator, Royal College of Physicians of Ireland.