Healthcare personnel on vacation to India were stranded for last three months due to spread of the new variant of Covid-19. Prolonged travel restrictions led to anxiety among staff due to uncertainty on continuity of services, contract and visa expiry and their financial commitments. With the exclusive consideration of the UAE government and Dubai Health Authority (DHA), Zulekha Hospital was granted special permission to fly back their staff through Emirates Airlines in batches. The organization is extremely happy on the return of their staff and look forward to them resuming their work at their facilities in Dubai and Sharjah.
Under this initiative, Zulekha Hospital is pleased to bring back Doctors, Nurses and clinical resources to UAE. The first batch arrived on July 9followed by more on 10th, 12th, and 14th July, returning from Kochi, Bangalore, Mumbai and Delhi. More than 95 staff has arrived along with their children. The hospital is very grateful to the UAE government and Emirates Airlines who have enabled this mission of getting skilled staff back at work at a time when it was most needed.
Managing Director of Zulekha Healthcare Group Mr. Taher Shams shared, “Thanks to the understanding and support of the DHA and other authorities who have helped us fly our employees back to UAE. In these difficult times, we are keen to sustain the strength of the UAE healthcare system that has been built by the contributions of every healthcare worker in this country. All healthcare providers including us are grateful and very much appreciating this vital support given to these medics at this point.”
Senior Director Human Resources at Zulekha Healthcare Group, Mrs. Vijaya Sen adds, “The special permission to fly back was a big relief to our staffs who were stranded for months and were waiting to hear from us. This news brought in the much awaited joy and excitement to come back to their second home. Our effective communication and close coordination with health authorities, airlines and staff has eased their travel back to UAE. We made sure all our staffs comply with medical test requirements before boarding the flight. We arranged their accommodation for home quarantine and our infection control team is ensuring their health records are timely monitored. DHA’s initiative has ensured healthcare providers do not to lose their experienced resources in these turbulent times.”
Dr. Shalini Dadu, Specialist Anaesthetist, Zulekha Hospital Dubai was among the employees who came from India and shared that it was very relieving for her to have heard of the possibility to fly back and looks forward to resume work post the quarantine period.
Staff Nurse, Bilinda Lavisha Dcruz shared, “We have been waiting to get back to UAE and get to work. As a nurse it is very crucial for me to be there when patients need us the most. I am happy I did not lose the job due to my prolonged absence in these unprecedented times, thanks to the consideration of everyone who helped us in getting back.”
