ABC(Nursing) in the UAE

Advanced Burn Care (Nursing) was held at Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC) from 19th-23rd October 2025 funded by the Abu Dhabi Department of Health.

The course is highly practical and focusses on turning knowledge into action through lectures, case studies, small group work and hands on practical sessions with patients. Previously delivered in Bangladesh (2016), Ghana (2017), Nepal (2018), Ethiopia (2019), Tanzania (2023), the UAE (2023), and Malawi (2024), the course is iteratively improved each time it is delivered to incorporate new topics.

20 nurses attended, 13 from SSMC and 7 from: Madinat Zayed Hospital, Danat Al Emarat Hospital, Burjeel Medical City, and Tawam Hospital.

The course was led by Course Director Andrea Frestadius, supported by Interburns Nursing Lead, Dominique Potokar and: nurses - Charlotte Leach (UK), Al Sebin (UAE), Biji Varghese (UAE), Samira Egehsam (UAE). Nutritionist - Elsa Nell (SA/SSMC). Surgeon Eleanor Curtis (US/SSMC). Rehabilitation:  Deborah Pierce (New Zealand/SSMC), Katharina Fischbach (Germany/SSMC). Anaesthetist:    Lina Fazlani (UK)

Faculty and participants were officially welcomed to Abu Dhabi and Sheikh Shakbout Medical City by SSMC CEO Dr Marwan Al Kaabi, Nursing Education Manager Zahra Mohamed and BICU Clinical Resource Nurse Ayoub Abu Alrobe.

We would like to thank the staff and management of SSMC for graciously hosting the event, in particular Deborah Pierce, Rafika El Zaatari, Mohamed Hamdan and Nazir Ahmad.