'Once in Dubai, you belong': A doctor’s 20-year journey

Dubai: “Once in Dubai, you belong here, wherever you have come from. You really feel at home here.” For Dr Nishanth Sanalkumar, an endocrinologist who has spent nearly 20 years in the city, that feeling defines his journey as much as his career. What began in Trivandrum, near the southern tip of India, has grown into a life deeply rooted in Dubai — both professionally and personally. Growing up, his interest in medicine was shaped by what he saw around him. “The respect and stature that was accorded to the medical profession by society at that time was the main attraction for me,” he recalls. Coming from a family with no doctors, he says he had little idea of the effort required, but his determination led him to secure admission to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi, the premier medical school in India. “My joy knew no bounds,” he says, describing that moment. From there, his journey took him across continents — from postgraduate training in internal medicine at AIIMS to advanced training in endocrinology and diabetes in New York. After completing his fellowship and earning his American Board certification, he returned to India, but soon realised something was missing. “I may not have been able to fully utilise the experience and skill sets that I had acquired,” he says of his time working in Trivandrum. That changed when an opportunity came from UAE. “I was thrilled. I recognised that here I would get an opportunity to practise world-class medicine while at the same time maintain close cultural ties to my roots.” Arriving in Dubai in 2009, he remembers feeling both excited and uncertain. “My first days in the UAE were an equal measure of excitement and trepidation,” he says. “I was naturally anxious coming and working in a totally new country.” Emirati culture and values are very close to the values we were brought up with. That gave us confidence that if we raise our children here, they would imbibe the same values. Dr Nishanth Sanalkumar But that feeling quickly faded. “The acceptance and welcome that I received — from management, staff and my patients — was so comforting that I could easily and seamlessly settle in.” Dubai’s healthcare environment allowed him to grow. “I could practise what I learnt for the betterment of my patients and also engage in academic activities, research, conference presentations and publications,” he says. “The freedom and positive energy from the workplace could be reinvested into my work.” Over time, he helped build a strong endocrinology and diabetes department, introducing evidence-based guidelines and quality initiatives. At the same time, he witnessed the UAE’s rapid evolution in healthcare. “Earlier availability and acceptance of the latest medications, increasing use of hospital information systems and growing research into AI tools in healthcare are some examples,” he says. “The establishment of world-class hospitals and the recruitment of highly skilled medical staff reflect the farsighted vision and scientific temper of the country’s leaders.” In his field, he notes, Dubai keeps pace with global standards. “The most modern medicines for diabetes and obesity are now released simultaneously in the US and the UAE,” he says. “I have had patients travelling to Dubai, even from western countries, to access the most recent treatments.” The city’s role as a hub for knowledge has also stood out. “Major international and regional conferences are held here throughout the year. You hardly ever need to travel anywhere else to stay updated,” he adds. Yet, beyond professional growth, it is Dubai’s people and culture that left the deepest mark. “Practising medicine here means interacting with patients from different cultures and backgrounds,” he says. “You would not get such an experience anywhere else in the world.” This diversity shaped his approach. “I strongly believe in personalised medicine. To provide that, you must understand a patient’s background, values, preferences and belief systems.” Over the years, Dubai became more than a place to work. It became home. “Emirati culture and values are very close to the values we were brought up with,” he says. “That gave us confidence that if we raise our children here, they would imbibe the same values.” At the same time, he adds, his two children have had “the opportunity to grow and interact with people from varied customs and cultures in a safe manner”. A defining moment came during the Covid-19 pandemic. “Adversity brings out character, and the UAE showed its character to the world,” he says. “We, as residents of this country, never felt abandoned.” That experience strengthened his sense of belonging. “That was when we truly felt this was our home too,” he adds, pointing to the country’s recognition of healthcare workers afterwards as something that meant a great deal. Outside the hospital, life in Dubai offers balance. “Dubai can satisfy many palates,” he says. For his family, it means exploring