Kathmandu, 26, Sep: Ravindra Kumar Yadav from Rajbiraj, Saptari, works at Burjeel Royal Hospital in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. He is a dermatologist at the hospital’s Burjeel Day Surgery Center. Ravindra completed his MBBS at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Maharajgunj, and his MD at Banaras Hindu University, India.
In 2013, he moved to the UAE, initially working at Al Noor Hospital in Abu Dhabi. “At the time, I didn’t know of any other Nepali doctors in the UAE. I believe I may have been the first Nepali doctor to serve here,” he recalls. Before leaving Nepal, he had worked in several hospitals in Nepal and India, including as acting director at Nobel Medical College, Biratnagar, in 2010.
After repeated offers and visits to the UAE in 2011 and 2012, he concluded that it was a suitable place to live and work. Following licensing exams, he moved permanently in 2013. After four years at Al Noor, he transferred to Burjeel, where he now leads the dermatology team.
Leading Dermatologist with Global Patients
At Burjeel Royal Hospital, patients do not stay overnight. The facility, part of the prestigious Burjeel corporate group, specializes in treatments and surgeries that allow patients to return home the same day.
Dr. Yadav heads the dermatology unit, treating cases ranging from hair transplantation to skin cancer. “Our hospital is fully equipped with all types of laser technology for both cosmetic and medical dermatology. These days, most patients focus on aesthetics,” he explains.
He notes that many clients come for facials, skin rejuvenation, tattoo removal, acne treatment, and pigmentation issues, while others seek care for rashes, blisters, and itching. Patients come from various countries, though Nepali patients are rare. While many Nepalis work at the hospital in reception, housekeeping, and cleaning, he said there were no Nepali doctors when he first arrived. “Now, there are around a hundred of us. In total, nearly 300 Nepali healthcare workers are connected through our professional network,” he added.
Though opportunities were easier a decade ago, he says it has become harder to find jobs in the UAE. Previously, getting a medical license quickly led to employment offers, but now even licensed doctors may have to wait. Dr. Yadav himself was granted a UAE Golden Visa four years ago—a 10-year residency given to doctors, engineers, teachers, scientists, and other highly skilled professionals.
Social Leadership and Community Work
Beyond his hospital duties, Dr. Yadav actively engages in social service, especially for Nepalis of Madhesi origin in the UAE and the wider Middle East. “I devote my spare time to the Madhesi community. While there were many Nepali organizations in the UAE, none represented the Madhesi people. That’s why we formed the Madhesi Ekta Samaj, and I serve as its international coordinator,” he said.
The organization helps address issues faced by Nepali Madhesis working abroad and has also worked to internationalize Madhes-related concerns, with Dr. Yadav even traveling to Geneva twice. The group also runs skill-development programs for Nepalis preparing to work overseas.
Having spent 12 years abroad, Dr. Yadav reflects that his career would likely have been equally successful had he stayed in Nepal. “I left under certain circumstances, but I don’t regret it. I did well in Nepal and India, and I’m doing well in the UAE too,” he said.
