UAE starts its first ENT postgraduate degree programme

Dr Ahmad Al Amadi, medical director at the Ministry of Health’s Al Baraha Hospital in Dubai, said the five-year degree programme started in September and is the first such postgraduate course in the Emirates.

His comments came during the launch of the three-day Dubai Otology Conference and Exhibition on Thursday at the JW Marriot Marquis Hotel.

Otology is a medical science related to the health of the ears.

“We’re hoping in five years the first batch of specialists will graduate right here in Dubai,” said Al Amadi, who is also consultant otologist and neurotologist at Al Baraha, the head of the evaluation committee for higher degrees at the ministry, and a clinical assistant professor at Sharjah University.

He told Gulf News that the degree would be Arab Board certified, equivalent to the US, European and Canadian boards, and accredited by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.

The programme started earlier this month with two candidates. “At the moment, it is for UAE nationals. We will see later (regarding expat candidates).”

Students will receive instruction at Al Baraha Hospital, Sharjah’s Al Qasimi Hospital, and Sharjah University. They will also gain clinical and surgical training as part of the course.

When asked about costs, Al Amadi said expenses – registration and exam fees per candidate – will “not be more than Dh10,000” total.

He also revealed a nationwide plan to screen newborns for hearing problems sometimes caused by marriage between relatives, like cousins.

“The Ministry of Health is looking into this for children at birth, we need to have a programme within a year,” Al Amadi said.

Another common problem in UAE children is “glue ear,” a condition where a fluid thickens in the ear and leads to mild to moderate hearing loss, he added. “It also needs to be detected and treated early as it can affect education and speech and learning delays.”

Meanwhile, grownups in the UAE usually suffer from hearing problems caused by noise exposure, Al Amadi said. “People listen to very loud music on the earphones, mobiles, for example. They then get this condition in the long run. There’s no surgery or medical treatment for it – just hearing aides to help. It can also affect people working in very noisy areas.”

The conference’s debut edition is expected to draw 400 participants from several countries. They are in Dubai to discus latest trends and treatments in ear care and related sciences. The event is being held in conjunction with the Fifth Asia Pacific Otology and Neurotology Conference and Exhibition in Dubai.