When it comes to healthcare in the UAE, a vibrant tapestry of healthcare facilities awaits. From private healthcare centers offering personalized medical care to extensive healthcare facilities catering to a myriad of needs, and specialized healthcare centers at the forefront of medical advancements, the UAE has it all. In this comprehensive guide on Healthcare Centers in UAE, we embark on a journey to explore these facets of the healthcare system, providing insights into the vast array of services, specialized expertise, and world-class medical care available. Whether you are a resident or a visitor seeking healthcare, this guide serves as your roadmap through the diverse landscape of healthcare centers in UAE.
Healthcare Centers in UAE
Private Healthcare Centers in UAE
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) boasts a plethora of private healthcare centers and hospitals. In Dubai alone, the abundance of medical facilities totals nearly 4,500. While private healthcare may come at a higher cost, it often ensures access to medical professionals who are proficient in English.
The UAE is home to three healthcare cities designed to address a wide spectrum of healthcare requirements, including those of medical tourists:
- Dubai Healthcare City
- Sharjah Healthcare City
- Sheikh Khalifa Medical City
Healthcare Facilities in the UAE
Healthcare Facilities in the UAE are as follows….
Healthcare Centers and Clinics
For non-emergency medical concerns, including obtaining prescription medication (روشتة, rushta), your initial contact should be with a family doctor (طبيب الأسرة, tabib al’usra). These healthcare professionals are typically based in your local Primary Health Care Center (PHCSS – يتكون مركز الرعاية الصحية الأولية, yatakawan markaz alrieayat alsihiyat al’awalia), which operates under the Emirate Health Services (EHS – الإمارات للخدمات الصحية, al’iimarat lilkhadamat alsihiya).
You can easily locate your nearby PHCSS on the EHS website or on the official websites of the local authorities, such as:
While some clinics are open around the clock, others adhere to regular operating hours. Typically, these hours are from 07:30-22:00 on Monday to Thursday and 07:30-14:00 on Friday. Weekend hours may vary considerably; some centers follow the weekday schedule, some have reduced hours, and some remain closed.
Please note that working hours may be impacted by public holidays like Eid and Ramadan.
Pharmacies in the UAE
Prescription medications (وصفة طبية, wasfat tibiya) can be obtained at local pharmacies (صيدلية, saydalia), typically situated within or near healthcare centers and hospitals. Similar to clinics, some pharmacies operate around the clock, while others maintain regular opening hours.
While pharmacies offer a broad range of products, it’s important to note that certain standard prescription medications may not be readily available. Specifically, substances like select anti-depressants and psychotropic medications are subject to strict control in the UAE, and importing them from other countries can lead to severe consequences. For a comprehensive list of controlled medicines, you can refer to the government’s official website.
To identify the nearest pharmacy to your location, you can utilize an online search engine or consult the following list of pharmacies available in:
Hospitals in the UAE
In the event of a medical emergency (طارئ, tari) requiring urgent attention and ambulance services (سياره اسعاف, sayaaruh aseaf), you can promptly reach out to the emergency number 998. For non-life-threatening emergencies, an alternative option is to seek care at one of the numerous hospitals available throughout the country.
As of 2020, the UAE boasted a total of 53 public hospitals and 109 private hospitals. This number encompasses various specialized facilities, including hospitals dedicated to women’s and children’s healthcare.
Your hospital experience can vary based on your insurance coverage, with the potential for accommodations in a private room or a shared room with four or five beds. Patients at hospitals in the UAE typically enjoy access to amenities like WiFi, cable TV, and in-room dining services.
Like Healthcare Centers in UAE, you may also like to read about healthcare system in the UAE.
Specialized healthcare centers in UAE
Specialized healthcare centers in UAE are as follows…
Pediatric/Children's Healthcare in the UAE
Children’s healthcare in the UAE is characterized by a strong emphasis on preventive and curative measures. It commences with postnatal screenings aimed at detecting genetic diseases, heart issues, and hearing impairments. The government also mandates a comprehensive vaccination schedule that includes 14 different vaccines.
For curative interventions, families have the option to seek care at Primary Health Care Centers (PHCSS) or numerous dedicated children’s hospitals (مستشفى الأطفال, mustashfaa al’atfal) located throughout the nation.
In response to the rising concern of childhood obesity, the government introduced the Healthy Children initiative in 2015, with its current (2023) status remaining somewhat undisclosed. Nonetheless, this endeavor has resulted in regulations promoting healthy nutrition. All educational institutions in the UAE are required to adhere to these guidelines, ensuring that students have access to nutritious food options.
Mental Healthcare in the UAE
As of 2019, the UAE reported approximately 24,000 cases of mental health disorders, with conditions like depression, anxiety, and substance abuse being among the most prevalent. Traditionally, the Arab culture has carried a stigma associated with mental health issues, which often deters individuals from seeking help. To combat this stigma, mental healthcare (الرعاية الصحية النفسية, alrieayat alsihiyat alnafsia) has emerged as a significant focus in recent years. Since 2019, the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHaP) has launched various initiatives to raise awareness about the importance of mental health. These efforts include lectures, conferences, and scholarships.
In 2021, a mental health draft law was passed, aiming to ensure fair and respectful treatment for individuals with mental disorders. Two years later, in 2023, mental healthcare was incorporated into the scope of public health insurance, and funding was allocated to establish care centers in various regions of the country.
Individuals facing mental health challenges can seek assistance by scheduling an appointment at an Emirate Health Services (EHS) center or by reaching out to the Emirates Foundation helpline at 8004673. Abu Dhabi residents also have access to a dedicated mental health hotline at 8001717.
Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare in the UAE
Sexual activity outside of marriage is strictly prohibited in the UAE, and this has implications for accessing contraception (منع الحمل, mane alhaml):
- Condoms (واق ذكري, waq dhikari) are not readily accessible.
- The birth control pill (حبوب منع الحمل, hubub mane alhaml) is available only with a prescription. It’s important to note that unmarried individuals may use the pill to manage conditions like heavy periods, hormonal disorders, or severe acne.
- Intrauterine devices (IUD – اللولب الرحمي, allawlab alrahmiu) can be obtained through private healthcare centers.
- The morning-after pill (صباح اليوم بعد حبوب منع الحمل, sabah alyawm baed hubub mane alhaml) is prohibited in the UAE.
Additionally, abortion is illegal except in cases where the woman’s life is at risk or there is evidence that the child will be born with fatal deformities and cannot survive.
Since 2019, medical assistance for reproductive issues is only available in designated clinics. Individuals experiencing fertility problems can seek treatment (علاج العقم, eilaj aleaqm), including procedures like in vitro fertilization (IVF – علاج أطفال الأنابيب, eilaj ‘atfal al’anabib), but this service is limited to married couples.
It’s important to be aware that homosexuality is illegal in the UAE, and the LGBTQ+ community primarily operates discreetly. While certain areas may show tolerance, openly gay individuals still face the risk of persecution.
Women's Healthcare in the UAE
The overall quality of women’s healthcare in the UAE is relatively high. However, women residing in rural areas may need to travel greater distances to access healthcare services.
Cervical cancer (سرطان عنق الرحم, saratan eunuq alrahim) ranks as the sixth most common cancer among women in the UAE. The government has taken significant steps to raise awareness and prevent this disease. Notably, the HPV vaccine is included in the national vaccination program. Women aged 25-29 are encouraged to undergo cervical cancer screenings every three years, with the interval extended to every five years for those between the ages of 30 and 65.
In 2022, the MoHaP launched a breast cancer awareness campaign with the aim of encouraging women to undergo screening. Currently, there are only five locations in the country where screening tests are conducted.
Screenings for cancer, pregnancies, and maternity care are coordinated through your local family doctor. They will either conduct the necessary examinations themselves or refer you to a specialist. As mentioned earlier, abortion is allowed only in cases where the woman’s life is at risk, or when there is evidence that the child will be born with fatal deformities and cannot survive.
In 2019, the UAE enacted a decree to combat domestic violence (العنف المنزلي, aleunf almanziliu). During the same period, the Family Protection Policy was introduced to raise awareness and strengthen social bonds within the community. This policy is designed to safeguard the well-being of women, children, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities.
If you are a victim of domestic abuse or sexual violence (عنف جنسي, eunf jinsiun), you can seek assistance from the following organizations in different emirates:
- Abu Dhabi – Ewa’a Shelter for Women and Children
- Ajman – Himaya Foundation for Women and Child
- Dubai – Dubai Foundation for Women and Children
- Ras Al Khaimah – Aman Shelter for Women and Children
- Sharjah – Women Protection Shelter
