Health and Higher Education Ministries collaborate to address future medical workforce needs

The Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Dr. Nader Al-Jalal, and the Minister of Health, Dr. Ahmed Al-Awadhi, convened a joint meeting, today, Thursday, February 20, to assess the future demand for medical and allied healthcare professionals. Their discussions focused on identifying the essential medical specialties required in the coming years and aligning them with the number of students studying abroad on government scholarships. The meeting also examined projected graduation rates to ensure a well-balanced supply of skilled professionals in the healthcare sector.

The meeting was part of ongoing efforts to enhance collaboration between the two ministries; Dr. Nader Al-Jalal, and Dr. Ahmed Al-Awadhi, in assessing the healthcare sector’s needs for medical and supporting medical professionals. It aimed to ensure alignment with international best practices for workforce planning, using precise criteria that consider factors such as population growth, human development, and staff turnover rates, including appointments and resignations. Additionally, the discussion covered the expansion of medical cities and hospitals, as well as the growing number of healthy families, to ensure a well-equipped and sustainable healthcare system.

In a joint statement following the meeting, the two ministries emphasized that several strategic measures had been adopted to maintain balance in the healthcare labor market. These steps aim to safeguard public funds, optimize spending, and ensure resources are allocated efficiently. The ultimate goal is to maximize benefits for both the nation and its citizens.

The statement further explained that the Ministry of Higher Education has implemented policies to redirect students toward essential medical fields, including human medicine, dentistry, and pharmacy.

Additionally, there is a heightened focus on channeling students into supporting medical specialties based on the urgent needs of the Ministry of Health. These specialties include nursing across all disciplines, various technical fields, medical emergency services, therapeutic nutrition, digital health, and physical sciences.
These policies will play a key role in shaping the external scholarship plan for the 2025/2026 academic year, which will be announced soon. The plan will outline the number of available seats for medical specialties that align with the Ministry of Health’s pressing workforce needs.

Moreover it aims to ensure the sustainability of healthcare services at the highest standards while encouraging and supporting students to pursue in-demand medical specialties. By bridging the gap between the healthcare sector’s workforce needs and the educational system’s output, this strategy seeks to achieve a balanced supply and demand in the medical field, ultimately enhancing the quality of healthcare services provided to the community.

The statement emphasized that these updates are aligned with demographic shifts and evolving healthcare needs to maintain a well-equipped medical workforce with the highest level of expertise. This initiative supports the state’s vision of an integrated educational and healthcare system built on efficiency, sustainability, and the development of top-tier professionals to meet future demands.

Source: Al Qabas