Sheikh Hamdan Grants Golden Visas to Long-Serving Nurses in Dubai

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, the Crown Prince of Dubai, who also serves as the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, announced a major decision. He has ordered that golden visas be granted to nurses who have been working with Dubai Health for more than 15 years. This move comes as a way to honor their long-term dedication and hard work.

Sheikh Hamdan said that nurses play a key role in the healthcare system. They are often the first to care for patients and are crucial in keeping society healthy. He praised their tireless efforts, highlighting how they always put the needs of others first. He also thanked them for their strong commitment to patient care and overall well-being. This statement was shared by the Dubai Media Office.

What Is a Golden Visa?

A golden visa is a special type of residency permit that allows a person to live and work in the UAE for 10 years. These visas are not given to everyone. They are awarded to individuals who have made a major contribution to the country, have rare or valuable skills, or work in fields that are important for the country’s economic development.

Many people in different professions can apply for a golden visa. This includes doctors, engineers, scientists, artists, entrepreneurs, and now, long-serving nurses.

Sheikh Hamdan’s announcement came on International Nurses Day, which is celebrated every year on May 12. This day is dedicated to recognizing the hard work and compassion of nurses around the world.

Also on Monday, the Ministry of Health and Prevention and Emirates Health Services held a special nursing conference in Dubai. This event brought healthcare experts together to discuss the growing challenges in the nursing field—especially the difficulty in attracting new people to become nurses.

Global Nursing Shortage: A Serious Problem

Even though the number of nurses around the world has grown, there are still not enough to meet the increasing demand. In 2018, there were about 27.9 million nurses worldwide. That number grew to 29.8 million by 2023. However, the global population has also grown during that time, leading to a higher need for healthcare services.

Experts predict that by the year 2030, the world will face a shortage of 11 million nurses. This is even worse than the earlier estimate of 10 million.

Dr. Hanan Balkhy, the regional director for the World Health Organization (WHO) in the Eastern Mediterranean, said that this region is expected to face about 25% of the global shortage by 2030. She warned that unless serious actions are taken, the lack of nurses will continue to be a big problem, especially in poor and vulnerable areas.

Why Is There a Shortage of Nurses?

Dr. Balkhy explained some of the main reasons behind the nursing crisis. She said that working conditions for nurses in many places are getting worse. There are also major problems with the way nurses are trained and educated. In some countries, there is poor regulation and not enough support for those entering the profession.

In addition, many nurses leave their home countries to work abroad, especially in wealthier countries. This leaves poorer countries struggling to keep their healthcare systems running.

Another serious issue is violence against healthcare workers. According to Dr. Balkhy, more than 60% of global attacks on healthcare staff happen in the Eastern Mediterranean region.

What Needs to Be Done?

Dr. Balkhy called for immediate action to fix these problems. She said that governments and healthcare organizations need to make smart, long-term investments in nursing. This includes providing more job opportunities, improving education and training, supporting leadership roles for nurses, and making sure healthcare services are safe and well-managed.

She emphasized that these steps are necessary to protect both patients and the nurses who care for them.

Sheikh Hamdan’s decision to grant golden visas to experienced nurses is seen as a strong message of appreciation and respect. It also sets an example for other countries to follow. By honoring those who have dedicated their lives to helping others, Dubai is showing the world that nurses deserve to be recognized, supported, and celebrated.

This initiative not only rewards individual nurses for their loyalty and service but also helps attract more people to the profession—at a time when the world needs them the most.

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