The Eye Clinic at the Kanad Hospital in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates, is in need of another Ophthalmologist for their team!

The Position
It would be particularly useful to have a Pediatric Specialist join us. Currently, Al Ain has a population of around 600,000, and there are no American (western) board-certified pediatric ophthalmologists here. For a short time in 2020, a pediatric ophthalmologist was able to "break ground" in establishing a pediatric practice, but he had to return to the U.S. We believe there is good potential for a Peds practice. The incoming doctor can see as many as 20 patients/day. (Considering the different work mentality and the need for translators at times, that’s a good patient load.)

The Hospital
Founded in 1960, by Christian missionaries, Kanad Hospital was one of the first hospitals in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, bringing international health care standards to the community. Many of the nation’s rulers were born at the hospital so it is looked upon with great favor. While many Emiratis still receive care at Kanad, the majority of our patients in the Eye Clinic might be considered the “least of these.” Patients come from 10-12 different countries. We predominantly serve a large migrant work force from the Mideast and Indian subcontinent -- Sudan, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Pakistan and others. For most of their patients, the Christians at the hospital may be the only believers they will ever meet.

Thankfully, the Lord has provided three full lanes with a nice complement of diagnostic equipment—OCT, Topography, HVF, IOLM, FA and OR equipment.

We have two optometrists who function as ophthalmic technicians, two translators/assistants, an insurance/billing specialist and a part time practice manager.

(We do have the ability to refer patients to sub-specialists in Abu Dhabi or Dubai which is 1.5-2 hours away, but this is limiting for some patients.)

Financial Support
The incoming doctor wouldn't need to raise support. There is a medical insurance system in UAE that does allow for reimbursement for services, though the reimbursement is not as robust as it is in the US -- especially among the laborers who are a big proportion of the patient population. This is a mission hospital, so funding can be a challenge. A doctor who is able to raise some support from back home to supplement what they could earn here would be ideal. The incoming doctor can expect salary plus bonuses in the $75k to $125k ballpark---The first $100k is tax free.

More about the Eye Clinic
Currently, the team has worked out an arrangement with the hospital that allows them to function similarly to a private practice under the Hospital. From the clinic’s service charges, they pay “overhead” to the hospital for facilities and services that the hospital supplies. They then pay direct clinical expenses (staff wages and benefits, supplies, etc.). The balance is then distributed to the ophthalmologists according to their charges. The advantage of this system is that it allows each physician flexibility to balance their time between clinical and other efforts as they desire. An ophthalmologist can serve here and have all of their expenses met by their clinical efforts although that would require near full time clinical work. The option also exists for a hybrid model where other sources of funding would allow them to spend less time in direct clinical work as they desire. If interested, you can also help with organizing regional service efforts to places like Djibouti or Eritrea.

If you are interested or want more information, contact CEN at info@christianeye.net.