UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has approved a new unified national health insurance system for Emirati citizens across all seven emirates.
Emiratis will soon be able to access healthcare anywhere in the country under one insurance system.UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has approved a new unified national health insurance system for Emirati citizens, state news agency WAM reported on Tuesday. The system is built around a fully integrated national health insurance scheme covering all seven emirates. It removes the existing rule that limited an Emirati’s health insurance coverage to whichever emirate they were from.
The new framework aims to guarantee universal access to high-quality medical care for all citizens, strengthen preventive care, and move the country toward a sustainable national healthcare model.
UAE Unified Health Insurance System Key Features
According to the UAE Government Media Office, the new system has five core features:
- A comprehensive national health insurance scheme for UAE citizens across all emirates.
- Guaranteed access to high-quality healthcare services for all citizens across the country.
- Stronger preventive care and a transition toward a sustainable national healthcare model.
- Higher efficiency and sustainability of health services, in line with the highest international standards.
- Greater readiness of the health sector through innovation and digitalization in service delivery.
Ahmed bin Ali Al Sayegh, Minister of Health and Prevention, said the directive reflects a national vision that places human health and quality of life at the heart of the UAE’s development priorities. He called the new scheme a strategic step toward a more efficient, agile, and forward-looking national healthcare model.
Al Sayegh added that the UAE continues to advance its healthcare systems on the foundations of prevention, sustainability, and innovation, ensuring delivery of comprehensive health services to citizens in line with the highest international standards. The new model supports the UAE’s vision of strengthening the resilience of the health sector and delivering long-term health outcomes for citizens at every stage of life.
The system will be supported by advanced infrastructure, interconnected digital health platforms, and sustained investment across the UAE.
What the New Health Insurance System Means for Emiratis
Until now, health insurance for Emiratis was tied to their home emirate. Sharjah residents were covered by the Sharjah Health Authority. Dubai citizens were covered under Enaya, which was unified in 2014 as the healthcare scheme for Dubai Government employees and Dubai citizens. Ajman, Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, and Umm Al Quwain operated their own programs. The new federal scheme is designed to replace those geographic barriers with one national framework.
Dr Shamsheer Vayalil, founder, chairman, and chief executive of Burjeel Holdings, said the removal of those barriers is one of the most important parts of the announcement. He said Emiratis will increasingly be able to access the right care at the right place at the right time, regardless of where they live or where their insurance originates. He said the new system will strengthen continuity of care and improve access to specialized hospitals, advanced treatment, and centers of excellence across the UAE.
A more integrated insurance framework, he added, will enhance coordination between providers, payers, regulators, and digital health platforms, helping the UAE build a smarter and more efficient healthcare ecosystem.
Dr Georges-Pascal Haber, chief executive of Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, said the announcement reflects the UAE leadership’s commitment to putting people first and ensuring every citizen has access to exceptional healthcare. He said the UAE has built one of the world’s most advanced healthcare ecosystems over the past decade, and this milestone marks another transformative step in that journey.
The announcement comes during a busy week of policy moves in the UAE. On Monday, the Cabinet approved a draft federal law to regulate smart health applications and the use of artificial intelligence in the health sector. The law will establish a unified legal framework governing the development, licensing, accreditation, operation, and use of AI-powered health systems. It will also address health data governance, safety and quality standards, legal liability provisions, patient rights protections, and federal-local coordination mechanisms.
The Cabinet also reviewed results from the Emirati Genome Programme, which implemented premarital genetic testing across the country in 2025. The initiative is designed to enhance health awareness, prevent genetic diseases, and reduce treatment and healthcare costs over the long term.
Stay tuned for more updates!
