Hussein Qayed, born in Dubai, has contributed to the provision of many valuable services in support of the people of his country. In 1952 he joined Al Maktoum Hospital in Dubai, less than one year after the hospital’s inauguration, to contribute to the provision of medical care to community members as the first nurse in the history of Dubai and UAE. Mr. Qayed received his professional training from specialized practitioners such as Dr. Mohammed Yassin, while he was only 16 years old, at a small clinic in one small room for wound dressing and vaccination. From the beginning Mr. Qayed learned how to dress and treat wounds and how to offer necessary vaccinations to children at the clinic. He additionally gained experience through field visits to families across Dubai close and remote areas in following up the treatment needs of patients.

 

Mr. Qayed was among the few who used to work around the clock to serve patients. These efforts were established on his keenness to protect the health and safety of the patients, termed today as “best practices” for the promotion of basic preliminary healthcare. Mr. Qayed used to only follow his personal instincts in the early days to supply this type of service.

 

After that he relocated to work at Rashid Hospital in 1971, as a translator between physicians and patients, and as an assistant to the nursing team after nursing became recognized as a professional specialization. . His career focused on patients’ affairs including following up on their appointments with their physicians. He participated in the training of many of his fellow colleagues on how to deal with patients affairs.

 

His efforts contributed to the establishment of the Public Relations Division at Rashid Hospital which served as the center responsible for customer and patient services, contact points with government authorities, and as the information center at Dubai Health Authority, after its original launch as the Department of Health & Medical Services in Dubai.

 

Subsequently Mr. Hussein shifted to work at Dubai Hospital which launched in 1985, where he inaugurated the Public Relations Division with all the necessary services and activities. The division was used as a training center for all preliminary health staff regarding patients and customer care in Dubai. He played the major role in the establishment and qualification of distinguished administrative staff members in this field, many of whom are now in leading roles at the Dubai Health Authority. Mr. Hussein was an exemplary leader who exerted all efforts to support the community, patients and the country as a whole, and finally as a nurse and administrator at the Public Relations Division, till his retirement in 2010.

 

In recognition of his outstanding contributions, Mr. Hussein Mohammed Hussein Qayed is awarded Hamdan Award for Honoring Individuals Working in the field of Medicine & Health, for the 2017-2018 term.