The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH) has announced that three medical residency programmes at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC), part of SEHA, a subsidiary of PureHealth, have received official accreditation from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCCI).
The accreditation includes residency programmes in dermatology, diagnostic radiology, and psychiatry at SKMC, all of which have been developed in line with the highest global standards, building on SKMC’s 2023 accreditation by RCCI as one of the UAE’s first institutions authorised to offer residency and fellowship programmes in Canadian-accredited specialties. The programmes are the first of their kind in the UAE to attain the international recognition, further establishing Abu Dhabi as a leading global hub for world-class medical education and clinical excellence.
Under the supervision of DoH and in line with its Medical Education Programme framework, SKMC offers integrated educational programmes and state-of-the-art teaching tools and methodologies to meet the needs of healthcare professionals, equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and competencies required to deliver high-quality specialised care, pursue further specialization, and increase patient satisfaction and trust.
Her Excellency Dr Noura Khamis Al Ghaithi, Undersecretary of Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, said: “The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH) is proud to announce the accreditation of three residency programmes at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC) by our esteemed partners at the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCCI). 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 healthcare system. Through our strategic medical education agenda, DoH continues to foster innovation and drive excellence in medical training, further solidifying Abu Dhabi’s position as a world-class hub for healthcare 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.”
The accreditation reflects SEHA’s group-wide commitment to medical education and excellence, with SKMC serving as a key academic institution within its network. The accreditation also demonstrates the strength of SEHA’s integrated model and its dedication to developing clinical capabilities across all its facilities.
Saeed Jaber Al Kuwaiti, Group Chief Executive Officer at SEHA, said: “This prestigious international accreditation is a proud milestone for SEHA and a clear reflection of our commitment to advancing clinical excellence and investing in the future of healthcare. The recognition of SKMC’s residency programmes by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada reinforces our dedication to nurturing world-class medical talent here in the UAE. Through specialised training in dermatology, radiology, and psychiatry, we’re equipping the next generation of physicians with the skills to lead — strengthening our healthcare system from within and ensuring our communities have access to exceptional care at home.”
Craig Ceppetelli, Executive Director of International Collaboration and Advancement and Chief Operating Officer of RCCI, said: "Congratulations to SKMC on becoming the first institution in the UAE to achieve this significant milestone. This achievement reflects their unwavering commitment to the continuous improvement of postgraduate medical education 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 DoH as well as SEHA and its affiliated institutions, including SKMC. Together, we are committed to advancing health care standards in the UAE for years to come.”
Resident physicians who enrolled in the medical training programmes accredited by the RCCI, and who have completed the graduation requirements, are now eligible to sit for the Royal College examinations in the relevant specialties. Upon successfully passing these exams, they will become eligible to obtain the Royal College Fellowship.
DoH signed an agreement with RCCI in 2022 to promote and provide programmes and services of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, which enabled trained doctors in the emirate to benefit from the new training programmes approved in Canada. Additionally, the agreement seeks to provide the opportunity for healthcare professionals in the emirate to enrol in fellowship programmes in Canada, and to benefit from the specialised educational and training opportunities offered by RCCI, through a hybrid system that combines physical presence in Canada and in Abu Dhabi.
The agreement enhances cooperation between the two parties and exchanges experience and best practices in healthcare, especially medical education training for residency and fellowship programmes, and scientific research programmes, while advancing innovation in the field of healthcare to improve treatment outcomes and patient experience.
