Medical licensing exams of US to be held in Dubai

DUBAI — The Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC), a member of Tatweer, will offer United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 3 Exams for the first time outside the US.

By A Staff Reporter

Published: Sun 21 Oct 2007, 9:00 AM

Last updated: Sun 5 Apr 2015, 4:51 AM

This is the first time the examination will have been conducted outside the United States. The USMLE is a premier examination that is recognised internationally as the gold standard for medical licensing. The provision to conduct this examination in Dubai will make it possible for Centre for Health Care Planning and Quality (CPQ) to further certify the quality of physicians licensed within DHCC. Steps 1 and 2 are offered in several countries, while Step 3 has so far been available to candidates in the US alone.

Saeed Al Muntafiq, Executive Chairman, Tatweer, said: “We are honoured by the approval from USMLE boards to allow CPQ to conduct the US Medical Licensing Examination. This is a significant milestone for DHCC, recognising its endeavour to become the region’s top healthcare provider. This decision will raise Dubai’s profile as a destination for healthcare excellence, operating to international standards.”

Ahmed Sharaf, Senior Vice-President, Healthcare and Energy, Tatweer, said: “Offering the examination in Dubai will facilitate the procedure of selecting high quality medical professionals in the region. This will help raise healthcare standards and increase the number of accredited physicians. The region’s healthcare sector will benefit hugely from this US-approved examination that will be conducted by CPQ in the second quarter of 2008.”

Dr Ayesha Abdullah, Chief Executive Officer of CPQ, said: “The USMLE and the specialty examinations will assess the clinical skills of specialty physicians on a par with international standards. The provision of the examination in DHCC is in line with CPQ’s mission to serve as the premier licensing regulatory agency in the region.”

CPQ is a regulatory body established as a joint initiative by DHCC and its strategic collaborator Harvard Medical International (HMI). It ensures high-quality patient care throughout the zone, besides offering tools and measures to healthcare providers to drive continuous improvement in the sector.