In a bold move to position Dubai among the world’s healthiest cities, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, approved a sweeping new healthcare strategy aimed at expanding access and elevating medical outcomes for all residents. The policy was ratified during a recent Executive Council meeting held at Emirates Towers, in the presence of senior Dubai leadership.

The healthcare plan is a cornerstone of a broader set of initiatives aligned with the Dubai Social Agenda 33 and Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which aim to enhance overall quality of life through people-centric governance.

Tripling Healthcare Access by 2033

Led by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), the healthcare initiative includes the establishment of three new hospitals and 33 primary healthcare centres over the next eight years. These developments will be concentrated in emerging residential communities such as Al Yalayis, Al Awir, Hind City, Nad Al Sheba, Al Lisaili, and Lehbab, ensuring equitable healthcare access for Dubai’s rapidly growing population.

The facilities will be created via public-private partnerships and supported by incentive packages designed to attract both local and global investors in the healthcare sector. The plan also incorporates centres of excellence for specialised medical services and leverages international best practices in healthcare delivery.

Towards a Global Benchmark in Health Outcomes

“Our vision is clear: Dubai will rank among the top 10 cities globally for healthy life expectancy,” said Sheikh Hamdan. “Healthcare is not just about treatment; it’s about creating a sustainable, equitable system that supports every individual’s well-being.”

The initiative will include a comprehensive review of supply and demand, updates to health insurance coverage, particularly for mental health and rehabilitation, and new programmes to attract international medical talent. Additionally, scholarships for Emirati doctors will be expanded as part of the national strategy to nurture homegrown expertise.

A Holistic Approach to Public Wellbeing

While healthcare remains a key pillar, the new policies span multiple sectors to form an integrated model of public welfare. These include:

• Empowering Emirati Students in Private Education, with the goal of ensuring all students attend schools rated ‘Good’ or above.
• A Unified Centre for Family Care, offering counselling and social support services across two centralised branches.
• A voluntary Dubai Smart Buildings Policy, introducing eco-efficient standards for new constructions to reduce resource consumption and operational costs.

Speaking at the Council meeting, Sheikh Hamdan emphasized the holistic nature of the new agenda:
“Dubai puts people at the heart of all its development plans. These policies are not isolated—they’re interconnected steps toward a healthier, more inclusive and sustainable society.”

The policy rollout supports Dubai’s long-term ambition to become a global benchmark for sustainable urban living, health equity, and technological innovation.