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Abu Dhabi: The Emirates Foundation, a UAE philanthropic institution, celebrates nine months of its pioneering volunteer project to place young Emiratis in national hospitals.
Volunteers from the Emirates Foundation 'Takatof' volunteer group began work at Shaikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC), managed by Cleveland Clinic last June. 'Takatof' in Arabic means shoulder-to-shoulder which is how more than 70 young nationals have been working in 14 different departments within SKMC.
Opportunities
Takatof volunteers have carried out administrative and clerical tasks in support of the hospital complex. Some of their work involves assisting patients with medical tests, visiting different patients, reading to them, taking them for walks and at times feeding them under nursing supervision
"This project has provided meaningful opportunities for young nationals to serve the community and gain exposure to the rewarding field of healthcare. The programme has encouraged youngsters to become nurses, doctors, and technologists. This is exactly the manner in which I myself became interested in healthcare; by volunteering at a local hospital. There is probably no better way and no more rewarding way for a young person to benefit the society while at the same time increasing their own educational experience," said Dr Kenneth Ouriel, CEO of SKMC.
A Takatof volunteer, Ganem Al Muhairi, feels that participating in Takatof has helped enrich his knowledge, develop his skills and gain a closer look at the realities that face many people in difficult circumstances.
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