Question : Nurses Working in UAE

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has taken note that under the Healthcare professionals qualifications requirements 2014 issued by the Ministry of Health of the United Arab Emirates, the new requirements for registered nurses and assistant nurses, is set to adversely affect the livelihood of
nearly 1500 nurses certified by the Indian Nursing Council, working as registered nurses in the UAE;

(b) if so, the reaction of the Government thereto along with the corrective measures taken by the Government in this regard;

(c) whether the Government is willing to issue a clarification notice to the Ministry of Health, UAE, such as the one issued to the Government of Qatar under similar circumstances in 2012, to prevent current Indian nurses from being derecognised by the UAE; and

(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND
FAMILY WELFARE
(SHRI FAGGAN SINGH KULASTE)
(a): Yes. Government of India is aware of Healthcare Professionals Qualifications Requirements, 2014 issued by United Arab Emirates that prescribe the minimum qualifications of a Registered Nurse to practice in UAE as ‘Diploma in Nursing and Midwifery’ with minimum course duration of 3½ years.

(b) to (d): After intervention from Govt. of India, the Ministry of Health & Prevention(UAE) had clarified that the “Healthcare Professionals Qualification Requirements 2014” regulations are applicable only to new job applicants. Further, those Nurses who are already employed by the UAE as Registered Nurses will be allowed to maintain their status and renew their registration as Registered Nurses. Those Nurses whose licenses have been changed from Registered Nurses to Assistant Nurses will be allowed to retain their status as Registered Nurses and their salaries will not be affected. The regulations are applicable to all nationalities without exception or exemption.