Two individuals intrinsically linked to the UAE's healthcare industry remember the past and look at what the future holds for the country's medical fraternity
Having no medical training or higher education was no impediment to two intrepid Emiratis who were part of the changes that swept Dubai as it became part of the Federation.
Hussain Qaeed, head of public relations at Dubai Hospital, started work in the emirate's health services in 1959.
When he first started working, the centre of healthcare for Dubai was at Al Maktoum Hospital, built by the British, which ruled the Trucial states, as the Emirates, Qatar and Bahrain were then known.
He was placed as a physician's assistant at the Dubai clinic, a branch of Al Maktoum Hospital in Bur Dubai, near what is now the Ambassador Hotel. He was 15.
Medicine shortage
"I had no medical qualifications, just on-the-job training. I was assistant to a Pakistani doctor, who became an Emirati when the Federation was formed," he recollects, adding that he took up the job to take care of his family.
Despite his lack of training, he and the doctor managed to treat 20 to 30 people daily. He says there was no shortage of medicines, adding that the British made sure they had enough.
But the demands for healthcare at that time were not as challenging, comprising mostly of painkillers and injections.
"There were tuberculosis cases, malaria, coughs and colds. Treatment before was simple; we just gave them tablets (such as Panadol) and vaccinations," he says.
He continued working as a physician's assistant despite having only three years of primary school. Then the UAE was formed on December 2, 1971.
When the day came, he says he felt no different even though he realised that he along with his countrymen, was now in charge of the country's destiny.
"I was very proud, but I did not feel much of a change," he reminisces.
He continued working at Al Maktoum Hospital until 1973, when the fledgling government built Rashid Hospital. New standards were introduced.
"I stopped being a physician's assistant when Rashid Hospital opened in 1973. They got me working as a public relations officer instead. Others came to be doctors and nurses at the hospitals," says Qaeed.
While Hussein Qaeed's career as a health worker ended, Abdullah Mohammad Ibrahim's career began. He joined Rashid Hospital as a medical clerk when it opened its doors on April 1,1973, at the age of 23.
Now, an administrative officer and the most senior staff at the hospital, he remembers how healthcare was a constant case of hit or miss in those days.
"Rashid Hospital at that time only opened for inpatients. It also had clinics for the eye, the skin and medical conditions. No more than that," he says. "In 1973 there were no machines, no X-ray, not as good as now," he adds.
However, the opening of Rashid Hospital saw an important step in the evolution of the healthcare sector.
Professional doctors from the region took the helm of running the hospital, which provided the bulk of medical care to the people in those days. The staff, however, remained largely English and Indian.
Over the years, Abdullah says, things changed. More medical professionals from the UAE came on board, while the expatriate medical workforce became diversified. Healthcare in Dubai and the rest of the UAE continued evolving.
Dubai Hospital opened in 1977 as a multi-specialty hospital. Al Wasl Hospital is the latest public hospital in Dubai to open.
Abu Dhabi and Dubai health services split from the Ministry of Health in the late 1990s, forming their own health authority for the emirate. Private hospitals mushroomed and took over some of the burden of providing medical care to the people.
Advanced care
Both Abdullah and Hussein marvel at the advances healthcare in the UAE has taken and are assured that they are better taken care of than their parents. But they still miss the good old days. Mostly, they miss how people seemed to appreciate the little things in life.
"It was a happy time. Things were not expensive. The salary was low but life was good. We worked only six hours, from 7:30 am to 1:30pm. We had time to enjoy life," Abdullah says.
Hussein agrees. "I miss the old days. At Al Maktoum Hospital, everything was different. The people were more kind and life was simple and relaxed. Now, everything has changed and the people, not as kind."
"Now, no one cares enough to visit a patient at the hospital. Everything is fast now, everybody is in a hurry," he says with a tinge of sadness.
