United Arab Emirates

The Dubai Health Strategy 2016–2021 was designed to transform Dubai into a leading healthcare destination by promoting innovation, improving access, and fostering public-private partnerships. The strategy prioritized 15 programs and over 100 initiatives focusing on care model innovation, disease prevention, and healthcare quality. Key achievements include expanding healthcare infrastructure, introducing telemedicine, and promoting medical tourism. Notable successes include the integration of electronic health records (EHRs) through the NABIDH platform and initiatives to enhance patient satisfaction and mental health services. However, challenges persist in addressing healthcare disparities, workforce shortages, and gaps in health financing mechanisms. Efforts to increase access for vulnerable populations and reduce dependency on tertiary care still require improvement. The strategy is structured around three goals: protecting and improving population health, ensuring patient happiness, and establishing innovative governance frameworks. Specific objectives include developing a value-based healthcare system, strengthening public-private collaborations, and fostering innovation across the care continuum. Programs such as primary care enhancement and chronic disease management were instrumental in improving outcomes for key conditions like diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. While Dubai made strides in healthcare modernization, some goals remain unmet, particularly in achieving cost-effectiveness and equitable service distribution. The emphasis on digital health and public health safety has positioned Dubai as a leader in regional healthcare innovation, but addressing systemic inefficiencies and sustaining these initiatives post-2021 will be critical for long-term success. Dubai Health Strategy 2016–2021 laid a solid foundation for a world-class healthcare system but requires continued investment and policy alignment to sustain its progress and meet growing healthcare demands.