Dubai, United Arab Emirates, October 25, 2018: The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) held a special award ceremony for its long-term employees. 

The event honoured more than 4000 employees who completed 10 or more years at the DHA. 

His Excellency Humaid Al Qutami, Director General of the Dubai Health Authority said, “It is always a great pleasure to be able to thank our long-serving employees for all their hard work and commitment. In line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai and His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council and in line with the directions of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai , UAE Minister of Finance and President of the Dubai Health Authority, we are working to further strengthen the health sector and our employees are our backbone in this endeavour. These long service awards are designed to express our gratitude to employees and express how much they are valued in the organisation.” 

Associate Professor Jane Griffiths is a Chief Nursing Information Officer at Rashid Hospital.  She has worked at DHA for more than 10 years. Griffiths said, “DHA has an amazing number of staff who have spent their entire careers working for the DHA. This is unprecedented in healthcare internationally.  Most healthcare professionals will move to different organizations, different cities and even different countries. We are proud of the loyalty displayed by so many of our staff.  I came to Dubai from Australia for 12 months and I am here nearly twelve years later! The ability to make a difference to patients we care for and the opportunities to implement changes that improve patient outcomes is the reason I have stayed so long.”

Salah Abdel Kader, senior graphic designer who celebrates 25 years of service, said: “I started as a young boy at the DHA. Through the years, much has changed and I have worked in several areas of the organisation. When I look back, I have fond memories and I am still adding to them.”

Nadeem Rasheed, who completed 17 years at the DHA as a photographer said, “I moved to Dubai in 2001 from Pakistan. This was my first job in Dubai and time has just passed by. I am so thankful for the opportunity I received, for the work that I am able to do, for the friendships I have built over the years. For me, DHA is my second home and I value the family-oriented work environment that I have.”

Mohammed Abdulla Harsi, senior nurse at Rashid Hospital since 14 years said, “I started my career as a nurse in Rashid Hospital. I am proud of the time I spent at the hospital. When I look back and see how we moved from a hospital with paper files to a digital one, how we became a fully  internationally accredited hospital, how we are one of the best Trauma Centre’s in the region, I feel a sense of pride, loyalty and gratitude.”