Dubai: "Whatever I am today, I owe it to God and then to Dubai," said Dr Sreekumar V Nair, his eyes glittering with pride and confidence. The well-known Indian psychiatrist made Dubai his home way back in 2006. He left a government health service job in the southern Indian state of Kerala for a position at a private hospital in the emirate.

"It was a chance encounter," he recalled. "The interview took place over the phone while I was driving. I stopped by the wayside of the highway and took the call."

But that was just the beginning of the journey for Dr Sreekumar. Before making the move, he had served as an Assistant Professor at KMC Mangalore in Manipal and worked within the Kerala Government Health Services. Stepping into the UAE’s medical sector meant he had to pass the local health authority's exam to secure his licence to practise.

"Well, I told myself," he recounted with a smile, "if I pass, I will go back the same day and wait for the formalities. If I fail, I would stay back for a week and see Dubai and the UAE." He passed, flew home the very same day, and officially joined a private hospital in Dubai in March 2006.

The early days of psychiatry in Dubai

When Dr Sreekumar arrived, the landscape of mental healthcare was vastly different. "Psychiatry in Dubai during those days, as with most places in the world, was not as accepted as it is now," he explained. "Awareness was poor."

The patients he did see fell broadly into two categories. The first were emergency cases: individuals facing acute issues, often agitated. The second group comprised those with milder conditions, such as depression and anxiety, he said.

Psychologically, living in Dubai means I am in a very safe place. We learn limit-setting and also learn to respect everyone irrespective of any differences. It improves self-esteem and confidence.

Dr Sreekumar V Nair

Dubai, a crucible for professional growth

The multi-cultural environment proved to be the catalyst that forged his career. As the city expanded, so too did its medical infrastructure. "Dubai played a big role in shaping my expertise in psychiatry," he said. "From day one, I had the opportunity to offer the latest treatments. The only condition, then and now, set by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) is that what we offer must be recommended by internationally accepted guidelines and must be ethical. We have all the freedom within these limits."

Over the years, the local sector transformed at a remarkable pace. The government began placing a high priority on mental health, supporting a variety of progressive initiatives. The boom in information technology further facilitated global networking, giving practitioners the chance to learn from international experts through conferences and workshops. "Lately, for some time now, there has been an environment that highly encourages teaching and research," Dr Sreekumar added.

The cosmopolitan advantage

Perhaps the most unique aspect of practising in Dubai is its extraordinarily diverse demographic. For a psychiatrist, this is a rare and invaluable asset.

"Psychiatric evaluation and treatment are highly culture-sensitive," Dr Sreekumar observed. "Dubai, and consequently my patient base, being cosmopolitan, gave me genuinely good insight into the various presentations of the same illness. I learned the different ways symptoms are perceived across cultures, and the different ways in which the same treatment may have to be offered."

A legacy of peace and purpose

Today, Dr Sreekumar's journey in psychiatry spans 30 years, with 20 of those spent in Dubai. The experience, he reflects, has been "clinically, academically, and of course monetarily, very fulfilling." His expertise has also been recognised at the systemic level; for the past two years, he has served as a member of the Dubai Mental Health Governance Committee.

Looking back, his advice to young medical professionals is unequivocal. "Dubai is the place to come if you are looking for a fulfilling life: academically, socially, and personally. The fund of knowledge and wisdom we gather here is the most rewarding aspect of practising in this multicultural city."

For Dr Sreekumar, the emirate offers much more than a successful career; it provides a profound sense of personal well-being. "What makes Dubai special for me is the freedom and peace I experience here," he reflected. "Psychologically, living in Dubai means I am in a very safe place. We learn limit-setting and also learn to respect everyone irrespective of any differences. It improves self-esteem and confidence."