3.3.4 — Sexual and Reproductive Health-Care Services for Students
Our Commitment to Sexual and Reproductive Health
Canadian University Dubai (CUD) recognises that access to reliable health information, confidential guidance and appropriate healthcare services contributes to students' physical, psychological and social well-being.
As part of its commitment to Sustainable Development Goal 3 — Good Health and Well-Being, the University supports students' access to sexual and reproductive health-related information, education, primary healthcare guidance and referrals to appropriate healthcare professionals.
CUD provides these services through its on-campus Health Centre, licensed nursing staff, personal counselling arrangements and established connections with external healthcare providers.
The University's approach emphasises accessible healthcare, student privacy, health education, preventive care and appropriate referrals when specialised services are required.
1. Access to Sexual and Reproductive Health Information and Guidance
1.1 Institutional Sexual and Reproductive Health-Care Guide
Canadian University Dubai's institutional Health and Wellness framework includes a dedicated Sexual and Reproductive Health-Care Guide.
The guide confirms that licensed nurses at the CUD Health Centre are available to provide advice and guidance, where appropriate, to students and staff seeking access to these services.
This provision forms part of the University's broader approach to primary healthcare, disease prevention and student wellbeing.
Students can approach the Health Centre for an initial discussion about their health concerns and receive guidance regarding appropriate next steps.
1.2 Role of Licensed Nursing Professionals
The CUD Health Centre is staffed by licensed healthcare professionals who support students through primary healthcare and preventive education.
The responsibilities of the nursing team include:
- Providing first aid and basic medical care for minor illnesses and injuries.
- Offering health information and preventive guidance.
- Promoting awareness of health risks and appropriate medical care.
- Providing initial assessment and support for students with health-related concerns.
- Advising students when further medical evaluation may be required.
- Supporting referrals to external healthcare providers for conditions requiring specialist attention.
These services provide a point of access to professional healthcare guidance within the university environment.
1.3 Accessibility and Cost
The Health Centre's primary healthcare and guidance services are provided free of charge to CUD students.
Students may access the Centre on a walk-in basis or arrange an appointment for medical consultation.
This enables students to seek initial health guidance without an on-campus consultation fee.
Specialised external examinations, investigations or treatments may be subject to the provider's charges and the student's applicable health insurance benefits.
2. On-Campus Primary Healthcare and Preventive Education
2.1 CUD Health Centre
Canadian University Dubai operates an on-campus Health Centre located on the ground floor of the CUD HUB building at City Walk, Dubai.
The Centre provides primary healthcare services for students, faculty and staff.
Its services include:
| Service | Provision |
|---|---|
| Primary healthcare | Free on-campus support for minor illnesses and injuries |
| Licensed nursing guidance | Professional health advice and preventive education |
| Medical consultations | Consultations available through the Health Centre |
| Health monitoring | Basic health assessments and monitoring |
| Disease prevention | Information on preventive healthcare and health awareness |
| Specialist referral | Guidance and referral for medical concerns requiring care beyond the Centre's scope |
| Health insurance guidance | Information about medical coverage, provider networks and access to healthcare |
These provisions establish accessible first-contact healthcare for students.
2.2 Sexual and Reproductive Health-Related Concerns
Students seeking advice on sexual or reproductive health matters may contact the Health Centre for guidance appropriate to the role and expertise of its licensed healthcare professionals.
The Centre can provide an initial point of contact and help students identify when assessment by an external healthcare professional is necessary.
Where medical care falls outside the scope of campus primary healthcare, students may be directed to an appropriate external provider.
This arrangement supports continuity between accessible on-campus guidance and specialised healthcare services.
2.3 Preventive Health and Early Intervention
Health education and preventive guidance are important responsibilities of the CUD Health Centre.
The Centre supports students in understanding health-related concerns and recognising situations in which professional medical advice is appropriate.
This approach encourages early help-seeking and informed decisions about personal health.
3. Confidential Counselling and Healthy Relationships Education
3.1 Personal Counselling Services
Canadian University Dubai provides students with access to confidential personal counselling through Student Affairs.
The counselling service offers a supportive, non-judgmental environment in which students can discuss personal, emotional, psychological and social concerns.
The University's published counselling information identifies healthy relationships among the topics for which students may seek guidance.
Other areas of support include:
- Personal relationships and interpersonal concerns.
- Stress and anxiety.
- Self-esteem and personal development.
- Life transitions and adjustment.
- Emotional well-being.
- Personal circumstances affecting student welfare.
3.2 Privacy and Confidentiality
CUD's counselling arrangements emphasise individual privacy.
The University's publicly documented counselling procedures state that sessions are strictly confidential.
Students can discuss sensitive personal matters in an environment intended to encourage trust, respect and appropriate professional support.
Confidentiality contributes to students' ability to seek guidance about relationships and other issues affecting their well-being.
3.3 Referral for Additional Support
The University's personal counselling service primarily provides short-term support.
When further or longer-term assistance is required, students may be referred to external professionals.
These referral arrangements complement the medical guidance available through the Health Centre.
Together, the Health Centre and personal counselling services provide access to support for physical, emotional and relationship-related concerns.
4. Access to External Healthcare and Specialist Services
4.1 Referral to Healthcare Providers
The CUD Health Centre provides primary healthcare rather than a full range of specialist medical services.
For conditions requiring further assessment, investigation or treatment, students may be referred to external healthcare professionals or facilities.
The University's institutional healthcare guidance states that minor health problems are treated within the Health Centre, while more serious conditions are referred to appropriate healthcare providers.
This referral framework is relevant to students who require specialist sexual or reproductive healthcare beyond the capabilities of the campus facility.
4.2 Government Medical Health Card Assistance
CUD's institutional healthcare information describes assistance for students seeking a Government Medical Health Card, facilitating access to government medical services.
The Health Centre also provides information concerning health insurance and available healthcare networks.
These services support students in understanding routes to external medical care.
4.3 Student Health Insurance Information
Health insurance is mandatory for students sponsored under a Canadian University Dubai visa.
Students who are not sponsored under a CUD visa may contact the Health Centre for guidance about applying for medical insurance.
Health Centre personnel can provide information concerning coverage, benefits and provider networks.
Access to specialist services and any related costs depend on the applicable healthcare provider and insurance arrangements.
4.4 Emergency Medical Support
The Health Centre provides initial support for health concerns within its clinical scope.
Emergency cases requiring advanced medical intervention are referred to ambulance services or external medical facilities.
This arrangement supports students in obtaining further healthcare when campus-based services are insufficient.
5. Health Awareness and Reproductive Health-Related Education
5.1 Institutional Health Promotion
Canadian University Dubai promotes health education through its Health Centre and collaboration with external organisations.
Its published healthcare information identifies cancer awareness, disease prevention and other health-promotion activities among the University's recurring educational initiatives.
These activities contribute to a university environment that encourages preventive healthcare and greater awareness of health risks.
5.2 Breast Cancer Awareness
CUD has previously organised and participated in breast cancer awareness activities involving healthcare professionals, students and community organisations.
Historical programmes have included educational seminars, awareness campaigns and discussions about screening and early detection.
These initiatives encourage awareness of health issues that may affect students and the wider community.
They complement the University's general health education and counselling services.
5.3 Cancer Awareness Week and Community Partnerships
CUD has also supported cancer awareness through activities involving organisations such as Friends of Cancer Patients.
During a documented Cancer Awareness Week in February 2017, university activities included educational sessions and engagement with healthcare professionals.
The programme included discussions of cancer prevention and awareness, alongside opportunities for students and other members of the university community to obtain health information.
These activities form part of CUD's historical record of preventive health education.
5.4 Research on Cancer Screening Awareness
CUD has contributed to academic research examining women's attitudes towards breast cancer screening in the UAE.
A study involving a CUD academic researcher and the Pink Caravan initiative explored women's awareness and participation in breast cancer screening.
The research highlighted the importance of improving health education and addressing barriers to preventive screening.
This research represents an additional contribution to public understanding of preventive healthcare.
6. How Students Can Access Services
Students can access health-related support through the following established university services.
CUD Health Centre
Service: Free primary healthcare, licensed nursing guidance, health education, medical consultations and referrals.
Location: Ground floor, CUD HUB Building, City Walk, Dubai.
Access: Walk-in or appointment.
Operating hours:
- Weekdays: 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Weekends: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Telephone: +971 4 709 6207
Email: healthcenter@cud.ac.ae
Website: https://www.cud.ac.ae/student-affairs/health-centre
Personal Counselling
Service: Confidential individual support for personal and psychological concerns, including healthy relationships and emotional wellbeing.
Location: CUD HUB Building, Office 104.
Student Counsellor: Ms. Simran Siddiqui.
Telephone: +971 4 709 6292
Email: studentcounsellor@cud.ac.ae
Website: https://www.cud.ac.ae/student-life/personal-counselling
Students requiring specialised medical care may request appropriate guidance or referral through the Health Centre.
7. Summary of Institutional Provision
Canadian University Dubai provides several complementary pathways through which students can access health services, information and guidance.
| Institutional provision | Access | Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Sexual and Reproductive Health-Care Guide | Licensed Health Centre nurses | Appropriate health advice and guidance |
| Primary healthcare | Free on-campus Health Centre | Initial assessment and general medical support |
| Preventive health education | Health Centre and institutional awareness activities | Health information and disease-prevention guidance |
| Confidential personal counselling | Student Affairs counselling service | Support for healthy relationships and other personal concerns |
| Specialist healthcare referrals | Health Centre and counselling referral arrangements | Access pathways for care requiring external professionals |
| Government health card guidance | Health Centre | Assistance with accessing government healthcare |
| Medical insurance information | Health Centre | Information on coverage and external provider networks |
| Reproductive health-related awareness | Historical breast cancer education and related initiatives | Preventive health awareness and education |
These provisions demonstrate CUD's approach to supporting access to healthcare information, primary care and appropriate specialist referrals.
The University distinguishes free on-campus services from external treatments whose costs and coverage depend on individual circumstances.
Conclusion
Canadian University Dubai supports student access to sexual and reproductive health-related information, guidance and healthcare through its on-campus Health Centre, licensed nursing professionals, confidential counselling services and external referral arrangements.
The University's Health and Wellness framework expressly includes a Sexual and Reproductive Health-Care Guide, while its Health Centre provides free primary healthcare, preventive education and initial medical guidance.
Students can also access confidential counselling for healthy relationships and related personal concerns, with referrals available when additional professional assistance is required.
These established services, supported by historical health awareness activities, contribute to CUD's commitment to student wellbeing and the aims of Sustainable Development Goal 3 — Good Health and Well-Being.
Supporting Institutional Evidence
- Canadian University Dubai — Health and Wellness. Includes the University's Sexual and Reproductive Health-Care Guide, free healthcare provision and health awareness information.
https://www.cud.ac.ae/sustainability/campus/health-wellness - Canadian University Dubai — Health Centre. Details primary healthcare, licensed nurses, consultations, referrals, insurance guidance, contact information and operating hours.
https://www.cud.ac.ae/student-affairs/health-centre - Canadian University Dubai — Personal Counselling. Documents confidential student counselling, healthy relationships support and referrals.
https://www.cud.ac.ae/student-life/personal-counselling - Canadian University Dubai — SDG 3.3.4: Sexual and Reproductive Health-Care Services for Students. Earlier institutional evidence covering student healthcare, medical referrals and preventive awareness.
https://sdg.cud.ac.ae/people/sdg-3-good-health-and-well-being/3-3-4/index.html - Canadian University Dubai — Students Counselling Policy (ST-PO-6T). Institutional policy supporting individual counselling, confidentiality and referral to external medical professionals.
https://www.cud.ac.ae/modules/custom/cud_sustainability/assets/pdfs/students-counselling-policy.pdf