OTTAWA – The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (Royal College) Accredited Program status has been awarded to three Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC) residency training programs—Dermatology, Diagnostic Radiology and Psychiatry. Royal College Canada International (RCCI), a non-profit and independent subsidiary of the Royal College responsible for international engagements, and SKMC, a flagship tertiary hospital in the United Arab Emirates and the largest teaching medical center in Abu Dhabi, are pleased to make this announcement.

They are the first specialty programs in the Emirates to achieve the status, which demonstrates that they meet the Royal College’s highest postgraduate medical education (PGME) standards. Residents who started training in the programs on or after September 1, 2023, and graduate may apply to challenge Royal College exams in the respective specialties. Upon successfully passing the exams, they would be eligible for Royal College fellowship.

Under the supervision of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH) and in line with its Medical Education Programme framework, SKMC, part of SEHA, a subsidiary of PureHealth, offers integrated educational programs, state-of-the-art teaching tools and methodologies to meet the needs of health care professionals, equipping them with the knowledge, skills and competencies required to deliver high-quality specialized care, pursue further specialization and increase patient satisfaction and trust.

"Congratulations to SKMC on becoming the first institution in the UAE to achieve this significant milestone,” says Craig Ceppetelli, chief operating officer of RCCI. “This achievement reflects their unwavering commitment to the continuous improvement of PGME and high standards in patient care. We are proud to partner with such a dedicated team and look forward to continuing our partnership and impact with SEHA, the DoH and affiliated institutions, including SKMC. Together, we are committed to advancing health care standards in the Emirates for years to come.”

“This accreditation marks a significant achievement for SKMC and a proud moment for our team,” says Mr. Bader Al Qubaisi, chief executive officer of SKMC. “It reaffirms our unwavering commitment to excellence in medical education and patient care. Being the first in the UAE to receive this prestigious recognition is an honour, and we remain dedicated to shaping the future of health care in the UAE by equipping our residents with the highest standards of knowledge and training to serve our community.”

“SEHA remains steadfast in its commitment to shaping the future of health care education in the UAE,” says Dr. Ghanem Ali Al Hassani, corporate education director of SEHA. “The accreditation of SKMC’s residency programs by the Royal College is a testament to our ongoing efforts to cultivate a robust postgraduate training ecosystem that meets global standards. This milestone underscores our dedication to empowering the next generation of specialists and enhancing the quality of care across the region.”

“The DoH is proud to announce that three residency programs at SKMC have been accredited by the Royal College,” says H.E. Dr. Noura Khamis Al Ghaithi, undersecretary of the DoH. “The achievement reflects our continued commitment to investing in medical professionals, who are the backbone of our community’s health and a fundamental pillar in ensuring the sustainability and resilience of our health care system. Through our strategic medical education agenda, the DoH continues to foster innovation and drive excellence in medical training, further solidifying Abu Dhabi’s position as a world-class hub for health care and medical education. We also look forward to continuing our longstanding partnership with RCCI and working together to further enhance high-quality medical education and training in Abu Dhabi.”

In 2023, SKMC achieved Royal College Accredited Institution status, one of the required first steps in the program accreditation process. All specialty and subspecialty programs accredited by the Royal College are subject to the same privileges and obligations, whether they are in Canada or abroad.