UAE Health Sector Records Landmark Achievements in 2025

Abu Dhabi, The Gulf Observer: The UAE’s health sector recorded a series of landmark achievements in 2025, reinforcing the country’s position as a global hub for medical innovation and enhancing the readiness of its healthcare system across diagnostic, therapeutic and research domains.

These accomplishments were driven by a national vision focused on investing in advanced healthcare infrastructure, empowering national talent, strengthening international partnerships, and developing preventive legislation and policies aimed at improving quality of life and safeguarding community health.

During the year, the UAE Cabinet approved the National Policy for Combating Health Risks, alongside the reconstitution of the UAE Health Council and the National Public Health Committee, underscoring the government’s commitment to coordinated and proactive public health governance.

The UAE Government also issued a Federal Decree-Law amending certain provisions of the Federal Decree-Law on the Donation and Transplantation of Organs and Tissues, as part of ongoing efforts to modernise the country’s healthcare legislative framework. The amendments align with global health policies that recognise the use of animal-derived or manufactured organs as advanced therapeutic options, subject to strict medical and technical controls to ensure patient safety and prevent unregulated practices.

Significant progress was also made in healthcare services and infrastructure. The health insurance system for Fujairah Government employees was approved, while a regional vaccine distribution centre was inaugurated in Abu Dhabi. Dubai Healthcare City announced a AED1.3 billion development plan, including the construction of an innovative building and a new medical complex. In Sharjah, the International Conference of Pharmacy and Medicine (ICPM 2025) unveiled plans for three new pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities with investments exceeding AED308 million.

The UAE further strengthened its role as a global platform for advanced diagnostics through a collaborative project by New York University Abu Dhabi, Yas Clinic–Khalifa City and the Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Centre to translate AI-supported MRI analysis techniques from research laboratories into clinical validation. In parallel, M42 announced plans to establish the Middle East’s first heavy-ion cancer therapy centre at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, offering one of the most precise forms of radiation therapy available for cancer treatment.

In the area of public health, the Ministry of Health and Prevention completed more than 95 percent of the National Health Survey and 78 percent of the National Nutrition Survey for 2024–2025, and launched updated scientific guidelines for the National Tuberculosis Control Programme in 2025.

UAE healthcare institutions continued to secure prestigious international accreditations. Emirates Health Services received Joint Commission International accreditation for its Diabetes Clinical Care Programme, covering 12 hospitals and eight primary healthcare centres, making it the world’s largest accredited healthcare network for diabetes care. The entity also became the largest in the Middle East and North Africa in terms of CARF-accredited rehabilitation facilities and won four international awards at the International Hospital Federation World Hospital Congress 2025.

International recognition was further reflected in the UAE’s advanced ranking in the Inclusive Health Index issued by Haleon and Economist Impact, where the country ranked first globally in health awareness and community engagement, highlighting the effectiveness of its prevention and health education initiatives.

Meanwhile, the “Hayat” programme reported the completion of more than 2,034 organ transplant procedures since its launch and the training of over 10,000 specialised professionals, with the UAE ranking first worldwide in the growth rate of donors per million population.

The UAE also intensified its global efforts to combat chronic diseases. The Global Institute for Disease Elimination (GLIDE), operating under the supervision of Erth Zayed Philanthropies, launched a large-scale research project to analyse historical malaria data in the Middle East and North Africa, aimed at preventing the disease’s re-establishment and strengthening regional health security.