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semi-governmentuae flag Abu Dhabi, UAEJCI Accredited

Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City

Abu Dhabi's largest hospital delivering quaternary care with Mayo Clinic expertise

732

Beds

5

Departments

1

Accreditations

2019

Founded

Overview of SSMC

Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC) is a 732-bed tertiary and quaternary care hospital in Abu Dhabi, established in 2019 through a partnership between Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA) and Mayo Clinic. It is one of the largest hospitals in the UAE and serves as a national referral centre for complex medical and surgical cases.

SSMC integrates Mayo Clinic's knowledge-sharing model into its clinical operations, applying evidence-based protocols and multidisciplinary care pathways. The hospital covers virtually every medical specialty and is equipped with advanced diagnostic imaging, hybrid operating theatres, and a comprehensive oncology centre.

As a semi-government facility under SEHA, SSMC plays a critical role in Abu Dhabi's healthcare vision. It treats a diverse patient population including UAE nationals, residents, and medical tourists seeking advanced procedures not widely available elsewhere in the region.

Healthcare professionals interested in working at SSMC can explore opportunities through Neelim's career placement service. We assist with licensing, Dataflow verification, and exam preparation for UAE.

Operator

SEHA (Abu Dhabi Health Services Company)

Founded

2019

Country

UAE Guide

Departments at SSMC

SSMC operates 5 major departments. Each department hires healthcare professionals across multiple disciplines — from physicians and nurses to pharmacists and allied health specialists.

Oncology Centre

A comprehensive cancer centre offering medical, surgical, and radiation oncology. It provides haematopoietic stem cell transplantation and participates in international clinical trials.

Medical oncology and chemotherapyRadiation therapy (LINAC)Stem cell transplantSurgical oncologyPalliative care

Cardiac Sciences

Delivers a full range of cardiac care from preventive cardiology to complex interventions. The department operates catheterisation labs and a hybrid cardiac surgical suite.

Interventional cardiologyOpen-heart surgeryCardiac electrophysiologyHeart failure programmeCardiac rehabilitation

Neurosciences

Covers neurology, neurosurgery, and neurorehabilitation with capabilities for stroke intervention, tumour resection, and functional neurosurgery.

Stroke centreBrain tumour surgeryEpilepsy programmeNeurorehabilitationPeripheral nerve surgery

Women's Health

Provides obstetric, gynaecological, and reproductive medicine services. The department includes a high-risk pregnancy unit and a level III neonatal intensive care unit.

High-risk obstetricsGynaecological oncologyReproductive medicine and IVFNeonatal ICUUrogynaecology

Transplant Programme

One of the few centres in the UAE performing solid organ transplants, including kidney, liver, and bone marrow transplantation under strict international protocols.

Kidney transplantLiver transplantBone marrow transplantLiving donor programmePost-transplant follow-up

Accreditations & Awards

Accreditations like JCI demonstrate a hospital's commitment to international patient safety and quality standards — a key consideration for healthcare professionals evaluating career moves.

Accreditations

  • JCI (since 2020)

Awards

  • SEHA Excellence Award 2023

Key Leadership

Dr. Adel Algahtani

CEO

MD, MBA

Careers at SSMC (2026)

SSMC offers a unique working environment shaped by the Mayo Clinic partnership, emphasising teamwork, continuous learning, and clinical excellence. Employees benefit from SEHA's government-backed employment framework, which includes housing allowances, education grants, annual leave, and end-of-service benefits.

To work at SSMC, healthcare professionals typically need a valid UAE license from Department of Health Abu Dhabi. Neelim's licensing service handles the entire application process, including Dataflow PSV and Prometric exam registration.

Typical Roles

Consultant PhysicianSpecialist RegistrarOncology NurseClinical PharmacistBiomedical ScientistRadiation TherapistDietitianQuality Improvement Coordinator

Hiring Process

SSMC recruits through the SEHA careers portal and attends international healthcare recruitment fairs. The process includes an online application, HR phone screen, departmental interview, and credential verification through the DOH dataflow process. Physicians must hold or obtain a DOH licence.

Neelim's career placement team can help you navigate this process and prepare for interviews.

Salaries at SSMC (2026)

Estimated monthly salary ranges by profession. All salaries in UAE are 100% tax-free. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, qualifications, and contract terms. For a personalised salary estimate, get a free assessment from Neelim.

Patient Reviews Summary

4.3/5overall rating

Strengths

  • Comprehensive specialty coverage
  • Modern facility with advanced equipment
  • Mayo Clinic-guided clinical protocols

Common Concerns

  • Some appointment delays for non-urgent referrals
  • Complex navigation within the large facility

Source: Google Reviews aggregate

Licensing Requirements for SSMC

To practise at SSMC, healthcare professionals need a valid license from Department of Health Abu Dhabi. The licensing process typically involves credential verification through Dataflow PSV, passing the Prometric exam, and submitting an application to the authority.

Read the complete UAE licensing guide for detailed requirements, timelines, and costs.

How Neelim Gets You Into SSMC

Location & Contact

Address

Al Mafraq Area, Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi, UAE

Phone

+971 2 819 0000

Website

https://www.ssmc.ae

Planning to relocate to Abu Dhabi? Neelim's relocation guidance helps with visa processing, housing, and settling in.

Frequently Asked Questions About SSMC

Common questions about working at SSMC. Can't find what you're looking for? Contact Neelim for personalised guidance.

SSMC operates under a clinical affiliation with Mayo Clinic, which provides knowledge sharing, clinical protocols, and quality assurance frameworks. Staff have access to Mayo Clinic's educational resources and consultation networks.

Nurses at SSMC earn between AED 11,000 and 32,000 per month depending on experience and specialty. ICU and oncology nurses tend to receive higher compensation.

Yes, SSMC sponsors employment visas for international hires. The hospital's HR team assists with visa processing, DOH licensing, and relocation logistics.

SEHA employees receive housing allowance, annual flights, medical insurance, education allowance for dependents, 30 days annual leave, and end-of-service gratuity.

With 732 beds, SSMC is one of the largest hospitals in the UAE and the biggest in the SEHA network, serving as a quaternary referral centre for complex cases.

Want to Work at SSMC?

Neelim Healthcare Consulting has helped 1,000+ professionals secure positions at top GCC hospitals. Our experts handle everything — from licensing and Dataflow verification to job placement.

Free eligibility checkEnd-to-end licensingHospital placementRelocation support