Today's Edition
SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
Caring for its people has been a priority since the UAE's founding, and healthcare remains central as the nation builds a system fit for the future. It envisions a health sector that leads globally, harnesses cutting-edge technologies, and puts wellbeing and quality of life front and centre.
From personalised treatments to preventive strategies that keep communities healthier, the UAE is redefining what modern healthcare can achieve.
The National Genome Strategy and Emirati Genome Programme are laying the groundwork for personalised and preventive medicine.
A 10-year plan launched in 2023, the National Genome Strategy sets out legal, regulatory and data principles for precision medicine, supported by advanced research and secure data infrastructure. Meanwhile, the Emirati Genome Programme has been designed to collect and analyse genomic samples to prevent and treat chronic, genetic and rare diseases.
Zooming out from DNA to lifestyle, the country has put together a National Nutrition Strategy, which supports sustainable food systems, healthy diets, and better quality of life through expanded nutrition services, community education, and long-term food security.
As part of efforts to elevate patient care and build a world-class system, the UAE bolsters life-saving transplant procedures.
Hayat, the National Programme for Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation, aims to promote a culture of organ donation by streamlining and coordinating national efforts to support patients with organ failure. It paves the way for ethical, safe transplantation, and enhances patients' survival.
The UAE now leads the GCC countries in the organ transplantation index, with a total of 956 organs transplanted since the programme's inception in 2017.
Digital Healthcare
At a time of rapid digital transformation, the UAE applies state-of-the-art technologies to further boost healthcare and, at the same time, safeguard patient data as digital information becomes more accessible.
Federal Law No. 2 of 2019 regulates the implementation of ICT in healthcare, guarantees data privacy, and requires consistent, safe, and globally-regarded digital mechanisms at facilities.
Smart hospitals, electronic health records, AI based diagnostics, telemedicine platforms, robots, blockchain-secure data, and wearable health technologies are now transforming how the UAE takes care of its people.
A prime example of this transition is Emirates Health Service (EHS), which is embedding digital tech across its service network.
EHS now uses AI in breast cancer detection, diabetes management, dementia screening, disease and admission prediction, mortality risk reporting and voice-led clinical data tracking. Robotics improves surgical precision, resulting in faster recovery with fewer complications.
Together, these efforts form an innovative, well-regulated health system focused on patient safety and quality of life.
