Vijaya carries over two decades of experience in the healthcare industry in leadership HR roles in hospitals in Dubai for more than 12 years and in India with Healthcare industry leaders. As Healthcare HR professional, Vijaya has proven expertise in talent landscaping for matrix organization with multi-national staffing ensuring performance, profitability, growth and people engagement.  She is well versed with UAE Labor law & Health Licensing requirements that helps the organization to take strategic steps for business growth.  Having a dual degree in Law & HR; Vijaya takes active interest in handling all kinds of employment related cases.

In a recent conversation with the Global Woman Leader Magazine, Vijaya discusses about navigating cultural differences for healthcare professionals, specifically focusing on Dubai and India. She also speaks about HR practices and technologies playing a significant role in the country, while mentioning how challenging it is for women to relocate their job. Read out the conversation below to know more.

How do you perceive the impact of cultural differences on the retention and job satisfaction of female healthcare professionals who have worked abroad versus those who have only worked in Dubai?

Cultural differences can have a significant impact on the retention and job satisfaction of female healthcare professionals.  Different cultures have varying norms, values and expectations regarding gender roles, work life balance and professional advancement opportunities.  In UAE – the key to success is embracing diversity in workforce. Ministry of Human Resources advocates and promotes demographic diversification to bring in inclusive culture and equality.  With this, Employees become more attuned to the needs and preferences of a global clientele and work on improving communication and relationship-building skills. In UAE, women advancement opportunities are widely promoted in healthcare industry.  The inclusive and supportive environment at workplace encourages women to make us the preferred employer.  UAE as a region offers health services that are free to women by participating in regular health check-ups; screenings viz. breast cancer screening, cervical cancer screening and to attend wellness programs that focusses on lifestyle management.  Healthcare jobs offer dignity, respect and job satisfaction leading to 60:40 as the ratio for women in this sector.  HR policies offer sabbatical leave and education leave for the women to build their career.  While women have made significant progress in the healthcare sector, there are still several key challenges that women face.  This includes – irregular shift duties in Hospitals, occupational hazards like infectious diseases, physical stress, mental stress. We have work pattern that allows 4 days working with 3 days off; periodic breaks to refresh & rejuvenate; breast feeding breaks for maternal working women, baby sitting facilities, PPE kits and protection kits to avoid direct occupational hazards.  For their professional development, we have mentorship programs to overcome barriers and navigate their career paths, buddy system for new joiners and internal job opportunities for leadership roles in the organization.  UAE is one of the safest countries for Women.  We have policies on anti-sexual harassment and anti-bully policy to safeguard the interest of women workforce.  Another challenge that we face is the language – with increasing numbers of women from India, Philippines & Arab countries; the native language is widely spoken at work. This leads to groupism making others feel excluded.  We in HR drive training programs to educate staff on cultural diversity and sensitizing staff on speaking English.  We conduct basic Arabic speaking course that helps them to connect with patients.Our organization values fairness and equality, discouraging any form of discrimination. This approach helps alleviate fears of bias and fostered acceptance. Employees feel a stronger connection to the organization, proud to be part of a workplace that upheld such values.

How has the integration of technology in HR practices abroad improved the professional growth and work environment for women in healthcare? What technological tools or platforms could be beneficial if introduced hospitals in Dubai?

In Dubai, HR practices and technologies are highly advanced and interconnected. Organizations here are moving towards paperless operations, particularly in hospitals which handle a significant amount of documentation. The digital era has allowed Dubai to adopt innovative technologies for HR practices, integrating them seamlessly into main systems. As we deal with vast amount of data, the technology helps to identify patterns, trends and areas of improvement in HR practices. Data driven decision making helps identify and address gender disparities, ensuring equal opportunities for professional growth and advancement.  HR analytics tools can help identify skill gaps, succession planning needs and opportunities for career advancement.  This ensures that women are provided with the necessary resources and support to grow professionally.  Automated systems and algorithms help us to remove bias from recruitment and performance evaluation processes.  Processes such as time attendance, leave application, salary certificates or any form of letter are managed through the system, revolutionizing workforce management by making it more efficient and faster. This paperless approach not only speeds up execution but also enhances employee satisfaction.

Regarding beneficial technological tools or platforms for hospitals in Dubai, we have several well-integrated systems for both HR and other operational needs. We use HRIS – HR Information System that offers platform to do performance management, track leave application and conduct e-learning programs for soft skill trainings.  Technology plays a crucial role in facilitating these training programs, making them accessible to everyone.

Our hospital has a high percentage of female employees, with 68% of the workforce being women. This women-centric environment has benefited from technological advancements, allowing women to excel in various roles, including IT and biomedical sectors. These technologies have opened up new avenues for women, helping them progress in their careers. Healthcare providers like us are committed to creating opportunities for women, supported by these innovative technological solutions.

Women healthcare professionals who have worked in different countries often face diverse healthcare systems and regulations. How can hospitals in Dubai support these professionals in navigating the Dubai’s healthcare system upon their return?

Cultural competence is essential in providing effective patient care. It is important because healthcare professionals come from diverse backgrounds. For example, nurses from India often have experience in large hospitals with complex and emergency cases, preparing them for various situations. Similarly, nurses from Egypt and other Arabic countries, with their robust healthcare systems, bring different perspectives. Professionals from the UK, known for their structured working environments, also contribute significantly. These differences enhance our hospital's capabilities by introducing various working styles and competencies. Cultural backgrounds, languages, and beliefs differ, but what unifies healthcare professionals is empathy, sensitivity, and understanding. These three qualities are crucial regardless of their origin, whether they are nursing professionals, technical staff, or doctors. The integration of these diverse professionals into a cohesive team is facilitated by standardized systems and processes. Most hospitals in Dubai are accredited by organizations like Joint Commission International and the American Board, ensuring uniformity in procedures. Even if a hospital is not accredited, standardized processes guide their work effectively.

This is the key difference that unifies everyone. While healthcare professionals may come from diverse systems and regulatory backgrounds, working in Dubai brings them together through standardized systems and processes. Every hospital here adheres to specific standards, ensuring uniformity across the board. Dubai hospitals are governed by the Dubai Health Authorities (DHA). In Abu Dhabi, it is the Department of Health (DOH), and in the Northern Emirates, it is the Ministry of Health. These regulatory bodies provide clear guidelines on how healthcare providers should operate, defining their way of working and the framework they should follow. These frameworks are essential for management to ensure clarity and adherence among staff. Ultimately, regardless of their backgrounds, when healthcare professionals follow these clear frameworks, everything operates smoothly.

Women in healthcare experience differences between Dubai and other countries. From my perspective, working abroad offers unique opportunities for professional development and advancement. Many professionals seek international roles not just for higher income but also to contribute valuable competencies and skills to their employers. As an employer, I prioritize candidates with the right competencies and skill sets that can benefit our organization. However, candidates also seek opportunities abroad for professional growth and advancement. Working in global healthcare settings allows them to learn from and work with industry leaders, which may not be as accessible in their home countries. Accreditations like JCI or CAP for laboratories, which are prevalent in Dubai, provide structured guidelines and frameworks that professionals can integrate into their practice, enhancing their professional knowledge and skills significantly. Additionally, in Dubai, all clinical professionals, including nurses, technicians, and doctors, are required by regulatory bodies to undergo continuous education, ensuring they stay updated with the latest advancements in their fields.

In Dubai, regulatory bodies mandate that healthcare professionals renew their licenses annually with a requirement for earning points through continuous education. This emphasizes the importance of ongoing professional development for technicians, nurses, and doctors alike. Continuous education not only enhances career prospects but also fosters personal growth through specialized training, leadership programs, and international exposures. Comparatively, Dubai stands out with its comprehensive offerings in continuous medical education and standardized training programs, which are unified across institutions. This eliminates competitive barriers, allowing professionals to freely exchange information and practices. Employment practices in Dubai are governed by federal laws laid down by the United Arab Emirates, ensuring consistency and clarity across all healthcare providers. This environment not only supports career advancement but also instills confidence in professionals, offering a progressive platform with diverse opportunities.

Relocating for work can be particularly challenging for women. What support systems are commonly offered in other countries to assist female healthcare professionals in this process, and how can hospitals in Dubai emulate these to attract and retain top talent?

Primarily, women who relocate to Dubai either follow their spouse if married, or come here independently for work. Both scenarios are common. Additionally, single women come here to work on their own. Regarding support, every hospital in Dubai, including ours, provides accommodations for staff. Specifically, accommodations are provided to female employees to ensure they feel safe and can start work smoothly without any issues.

We ensure women feel safe through various policies. Upon joining, we orient them with anti-harassment and anti-bullying policies to prevent any unwanted attention. Accommodation is provided free for women relocating alone. Additionally, we offer transparency in rules and regulations to help them settle smoothly. For those not in staff accommodation, we provide transportation to and from the hospital, ensuring convenience.

In what ways does international exposure benefit women healthcare professionals in terms of skills and perspectives? How can hospitals in Dubai leverage this international experience to improve their own healthcare delivery and organizational culture?

When pursuing a career abroad, individuals are already prepared for change and seeking career opportunities overseas. We provide opportunities for both personal and professional growth, facilitating the pursuit of international opportunities. For example, our job postings highlight our organization's strengths and the benefits of joining us. We emphasize international skill exposure, continuous medical education training programs, and other professional development opportunities. Working abroad in healthcare exposes professionals to diverse patient populations, offering different treatment approaches and healthcare practices compared to their home countries like India or Egypt.

When you pursue international exposure, you begin learning and adapting to diverse perspectives, fostering cultural competence and expanding your global healthcare knowledge. These experiences are immensely beneficial, enhancing professional networks through collaborations with professionals from varied countries and backgrounds. Such connections open doors to future research, career opportunities, and advancements. Working in another country builds a valuable network, broadening horizons and keeping you updated with the latest developments in your field, especially in more developed markets with advanced technology and medical science. Engaging with diverse nationalities and backgrounds further enriches your professional growth.

Working abroad exposes you to diverse working styles, necessitating the development of strong communication skills. In contrast to our home country where such nuances may be less emphasized, international settings require sensitivity to others' perspectives and a refined approach to communication. This experience encourages personal growth, fostering confidence and cross-cultural competence. Understanding different markets and staying updated with the latest developments in your field are invaluable assets when seeking opportunities abroad.

What messages would you like to share with our readers?

I believe that exposing oneself to diverse cultures and nationalities is incredibly enriching. It fosters a deep learning experience. Effective communication skills, as I mentioned earlier, are crucial in any role, enabling connections with people from different backgrounds. Staying updated with the latest technologies and techniques is also essential. International exposure isn't just beneficial; it's almost necessary. Even spending three to five years abroad can provide invaluable insights and growth opportunities. I strongly encourage everyone to consider international experience.