Kerala CM Writes To PM Modi as Hundreds of Nurses Face Joblessness After Dubai Hospital Shuts

Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan has sought urgent intervention from Prime Minister Narendra Modi following the closure of the Iranian Hospital in Dubai, a development that has left hundreds of Indian healthcare professionals, particularly nurses from Kerala, facing an uncertain future in the United Arab Emirates. In a letter to the Prime Minister, Satheesan described the issue as a humanitarian concern affecting Indian citizens abroad and requested immediate diplomatic engagement with UAE authorities.

The closure of the hospital has reportedly disrupted the employment and residency status of many healthcare workers who had been serving in Dubai for years. According to the chief minister, several nurses and medical professionals are now facing difficulties related to employment visas, dependent visas, and visit visas, placing many families under financial and emotional stress. Many of those affected belong to Kerala's large expatriate community in the Gulf region.

Satheesan highlighted that the healthcare workers had served with dedication, including during the Covid-19 pandemic, and had maintained a strong professional record throughout their careers in the UAE. He noted that many nurses now fear being forced to leave the country after suddenly losing their jobs. Several workers have reportedly informed the Kerala government that they are struggling to obtain new employment opportunities or transfer existing visas following the hospital's closure.

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The situation has created anxiety among families who have built their lives in the UAE over many years. Many affected workers have children enrolled in schools across Dubai and other emirates while continuing to manage housing expenses, loans, and other long-term financial commitments. Some have also expressed concern that prolonged unemployment could affect their professional licenses and future career prospects within the Gulf healthcare sector.

In his communication to the Prime Minister, Satheesan urged the Centre to direct the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Embassy in the UAE to engage with relevant authorities and seek a fair and compassionate resolution. He called for diplomatic assistance to help affected healthcare workers address visa-related challenges and explore opportunities for continued employment within the country.

The chief minister stressed that the issue extends beyond job losses and concerns the welfare and stability of numerous Indian families. Kerala has one of the largest expatriate populations in the Gulf, with overseas remittances playing a vital role in the state's economy. The latest development has once again highlighted the vulnerability of migrant workers to geopolitical and economic disruptions in the region, prompting renewed calls for coordinated support from both state and central authorities.

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