The UAE job market is seeing fresh momentum as NMC Healthcare announces plans to recruit around 1,500 new employees this year. Many job seekers are asking where the next major healthcare opportunities will come from, and NMC’s expansion provides a clear answer. After years of restructuring, the hospital group says it is now stable and ready to grow again. The hiring push will include doctors, nurses, and a wide range of supportive staff across the emirates. For professionals looking for jobs in UAE healthcare, this could be one of the largest recruitment drives of 2026.
David Hadley, CEO of NMC Healthcare, confirmed the company’s ambitious workforce plans in an interview with Khaleej Times. He explained that NMC has already added around 200 doctors since early last year, and each doctor requires additional teams to support patient care. That staffing demand quickly scales into thousands of new positions. With growth expected across existing facilities and possible acquisitions ahead, NMC estimates between 1,200 and 1,500 hires will be needed. The recruitment wave signals renewed confidence in the group’s future.
NMC Healthcare currently employs between 11,500 and 12,000 workers across the UAE. Its facilities span Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, and other emirates, making it one of the country’s largest private healthcare providers. Founded in 1975, the group built a strong reputation over decades before facing turbulence in recent years. The new hiring drive reflects both expansion and recovery. For many healthcare professionals, NMC remains a key destination for long-term careers in the UAE.
NMC’s growth plans come after a dramatic period in its history. The company was listed on the London Stock Exchange in 2012 but was later delisted following financial irregularities reported in 2020. Those issues pushed the group close to collapse and led to creditor-led administration, with Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank playing a central role. Over the past few years, NMC has undergone major restructuring to rebuild trust and stability. Executives say the company is now firmly back on track.
Following the crisis, NMC faced serious credibility challenges with suppliers, lenders, and stakeholders. To address this, lenders formed committees and introduced strict regulatory and ethical practices. Christopher Habib, chief strategy officer, said the company has created governance structures that prevent decisions from being controlled by a single individual. Multiple committees now oversee operations and report directly to the board. New technology systems have also been introduced to strengthen accountability. Leadership says these safeguards make a repeat of past irregularities far less likely.
Habib also revealed that NMC’s facilities previously operated too independently, with each hospital functioning almost like a separate business. General managers made isolated decisions about hiring and services, sometimes leading to nearby hospitals competing rather than collaborating. Over the past two years, NMC has worked to become a true hospital group instead of a loose network. The company has introduced clearer organisational structures, defined KPIs, and a unified operating model. Executives say this coordination is essential for sustainable growth moving forward.
Beyond hiring, NMC is also exploring potential acquisitions within the UAE healthcare sector. Hadley noted that creditors are expected to eventually exit and sell the company, though the timeline and route remain unclear. At the same time, the group is considering rebranding efforts as it enters its next phase. These moves suggest NMC is not only rebuilding but positioning itself for long-term competitiveness. Expansion through acquisition could also create even more jobs in UAE healthcare over the next few years.
For professionals searching for jobs in UAE hospitals, NMC’s recruitment drive represents a significant opportunity. Hiring at this scale reflects both increased patient demand and renewed operational stability. Roles are expected across clinical and support functions, offering entry points for experienced workers and new graduates alike. The company’s restructuring, governance reforms, and unified strategy signal a new chapter for one of the region’s biggest healthcare employers. As NMC grows again, the UAE healthcare job market may be entering a fresh wave of expansion.
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