OTTAWA, June 14, 2023 – Royal College International (RCI), a non-profit and independent subsidiary of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (Royal College) responsible for international engagements, and Abu Dhabi’s Department of Health (DoH), the regulator of the health care sector in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), are pleased to announce that the first-ever institutions in the region have achieved Royal College Accredited Institution status.

The newly accredited institutions include Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City, Sheikh Khalifa Medical City and Tawam Hospital, which are part of Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA).

The status demonstrates that the institutions are committed to continuous improvement in postgraduate medical education (PGME) and have the necessary infrastructure to support PGME learning environments.

Achieving the milestone will accelerate ongoing efforts for the institutions to apply and achieve Royal College Accredited Program status for eligible specialty and subspecialty programs – a status that demonstrates that they meet the Royal College’s PGME standards and enables graduates to sit Royal College examinations and, if successful in passing the exams, a pathway to certification.

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.

“We strongly believe that the collaborations we have established with the DoH and its partners enable us to build stronger health care systems that are capable of delivering the best health care for all,” says Royal College and RCI’s chief executive officer (interim) Dr. Ian Bowmer. “We are honoured to be part of the UAE’s journey in advancing PGME and proud of our relationships in the region.”

“We very much value our partnership with the DoH, SEHA and affiliated institutions,” says Craig Ceppetelli, executive director of the Royal College’s Office of International Collaboration and Advancement and chief operating officer of RCI. “Seeing these results after several years of discussions, planning and implementation is very exciting for everyone involved.”

“Attracting and developing talent and competencies in health care is one of the DoH’s priorities, as we believe in the role of health care professionals in improving services and achieving the sector’s ambitious goals,” says Dr. Rashed Obaid Alsuwaidi, executive director of the DoH’s Healthcare Workforce Planning Sector. “Stemming from that, we are keen on working side by side with the health care facilities within the UAE to provide them and their health care professionals with the necessary nurturing and accredited environment, and to ensure that they are receiving training and educational medical opportunities in accordance with the highest international standards.”