Created By : Shazia, Manha, Mehnaz,
Nashwa and Komathi
Healthcare in
the UAE
Healthcare System in
UAE
The Emirati healthcare system is a mix of both public and private
sectors. While UAE nationals can get free universal healthcare in Abu
Dhabi and Dubai, foreign expats must take out private insurance to
cover their medical expenses. The United Arab Emirates has a top-
quality healthcare system that is the best in the Middle East (2022).
How does healthcare in the UAE work?
It’s recognized worldwide for providing quality medical aid
in the fields of vision and eye care, dental care, cancer
treatment, and cosmetic surgery. The Ministry of Health
and Prevention oversees the national healthcare
regulations. They also ensure the accreditation of public
and private hospitals.
Who
can All UAE nationals must take out
mandatory health insurance to access
access
free or subsidized public healthcare.
health Expats and foreign residents –
including those from the Gulf
care in
Cooperation Council - must get
private health insurance to cover their
medical bills. Failing to do so can
the result in a fine of up to AED 500 ($136)
per month.
UAE?
How much is healthcare in
the UAE?
Point 1 Point 2
In 2020, the UAE reportedly spend AED 72.4
The healthcare system is paid partly by
billion ($19.7 billion) on healthcare (or around
taxes, and partly by the mandatory
AED 7,317 ($1,992) per person). This is above
health insurance scheme. Any
the 2022 GCC average of $17.4 billion, as well
additional cost of treatments will
as the 2021 European Union (EU) average of
depend on which emirate you are in.
$16.1 billion.
Point 3
For example, UAE citizens have access
to free healthcare in Abu Dhabi and
Dubai. In other areas, you may be
expected to pay for parts of or the entire
procedure.
Health insurance in the
UAE
UAE nationals can sign up for
public health insurance, such as:
Thiqa – Abu Dhabi
Expats will have to take out a policy with
ENAYA – Dubai one of the many private insurance
Sharjah Health Insurance – companies operating in the country. If you
Sharjah are in the UAE for work, your employer or
sponsor must take out insurance for you
Depending on the coverage plan, private (and sometimes your family). However, if
health insurance usually costs AED 5,500- you are not employed or you’re planning to
10,000 per year for individual policies, and travel through the MENA region, you can
AED 10,000-18,000 per year for family also choose an international health
plans. insurance provider.
Private
There are many private healthcare centers
healthcare in the
UAE
and hospitals available in the UAE. In Dubai
alone, there are almost 4,500 medical
facilities. Although private treatment is
more expensive, you’re more likely to have
access to English-speaking medical staff.
The country has three healthcare cities
that cater to all healthcare needs,
including that of medical tourists:
Dubai Healthcare City
Sharjah Healthcare City
Sheikh Khalifa Medical City
Health centers and clinics
For non-emergency-related medical Healthcare
facilities in the
issues, your first point of contact –
including getting prescription
medication – is a family doctor. These
UAE
are based in your local Primary Health
Care Center from the Emirate Health
Services. While some clinics are open
24/7, others have regular opening hours.
These are typically open from 07:30-
22:00 on Monday to Thursday and
07:30-14:00 on Friday. Weekend hours
differ greatly; some centers are open
according to the weekday schedule,
some have reduced hours, and some are
closed.
Keep in mind that public holidays such
as Eid and Ramadan can also affect
working hours.
Pharmacies in the UAE
Point 01
Prescription meds can be picked up from a
local pharmacy which is usually located
inside or close to the health center or
hospital. Similarly to the clinics, some
pharmacies are open 24/7, while others have
regular opening hours.
Point 02
Although pharmacies stock a wide range of
products, some standard prescription drugs
might not be available. Products like certain
anti-depressants and psychotropic
substances are controlled in the UAE and
importing them from other countries can
result in severe consequences. You can find a
list of controlled medicines on the
government’s website.
Hospitals in UAE
Point 01 Point 02
If you are in an emergency and need an In 2020, there were 53 public and 109
ambulance you can call the emergency private hospitals in the UAE. This
number 998. If the emergency is non-life number includes specialized facilities,
threatening, you can also go to one of such as women’s and children’s
the many hospitals in the country. hospitals.
Point 03
Depending on your level of insurance,
you can expect to stay in a private room
or a shared room with four or five beds.
Hospital patients usually have access to
WiFi, cable TV, and in-room food
service.
Healthcare
Regular check-ups usually take place once a year,
though some dentists will insist you come every six
professionals
months. They may delegate certain tasks to dental
assistants, and, when necessary, refer you to a
specialist.
Dentists in the UAE
Some dentists operate from the PHCSS,
while others have their own private
clinics. In 2020, there were over 6,800
dentists working in the country.
Because of this, their prices are
competitive. Dental care is not always
included in your health insurance
policy, so be sure to check your
coverage before scheduling an
appointment.
Doctors and
specialists
You can contact the PHCSS or hospital
to schedule an appointment with your
preferred doctor. PHCSS often deal
with ‘routine’ medical problems, such
as family medicine, standard
gynecological and pediatric
examinations, cancer screening, and
In 2020, there were over other primary care. They can also refer
26,200 doctors and over you to a specialist. However, with
private health insurance, you can skip
56,100 nurses working in
the family doctor and contact the
the UAE. Of the doctors, health center or hospital directly.
over 17,000 (65.2%) were
working in the private
sector. As such, finding a
doctor or specialist is
relatively simple.
Children’s healthcare
There’s a big focus on children’s healthcare
Specialized
in the UAE, starting with postnatal tests for
genetic diseases, heart problems, and
hearing disorders. The government has also
healthcare
mandated a vaccination schedule with 14
different vaccines.
Mental healthcare
To combat childhood obesity, the government launched a
In 2020, around 24,000 cases of mental health 2021 Healthy Children initiative in 2015. Little is known
disorders were reported in the UAE, with about the current (2023) status of this project. However, one
depression, anxiety, and substance abuse among
thing to come out of this campaign was regulation on
the most common. Often, people don’t seek help
healthy nutrition. All schools in the UAE must follow the
due to the shame that is traditionally associated
guidelines to ensure their pupils have access to healthy
with mental illness in Arab culture.
food.
Mental Healthcare in UAE
In 2021, a mental health draft law was passed that aims to ensure
fair and respectful treatment for disordered patients. Two years
later, in 2023, mental healthcare was included in the coverage of
public health insurance and budget was allocated to build care
centers in various regions of the country.
Women’s healthcare in the UAE
The overall standard of women’s healthcare in the UAE is pretty
high, although women in rural areas will likely have to travel
further to have access.
Although cervical cancer, is the sixth most common type of
cancer among women in the UAE, the government is doing a lot
to raise awareness and prevent the disease. In 2022, the MoHaP
also launched a breast cancer awareness campaign to encourage
women to get screened.
What to do in an
emergency
Useful Resources
EHS – official government portal
with information and ways to contact
public healthcare professionals If you are in a life-threatening
DHA – official government website of
emergency, you can call the
the healthcare authority in Dubai
DoH – official government website of emergency number 998. This
the healthcare authority in Abu Dhabi number is free of charge and
MoHaP – official government website the operator speaks various
of the ministry responsible for the languages, including Arabic
national healthcare regulations in the
and English.
UAE
Thank you for
your attention
