A guide to the Dubai Health Authority (DHA)
The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) was established in 2007 to provide universal healthcare facilities to the residents of Dubai. The organisation oversees the governance of the public and private healthcare sector. DHA is also accountable for medical education regulations and clinical research. Want to learn more about the regulatory authority? Our guide contains all the details!
DUBAI HEALTH AUTHORITY (DHA) – AN OVERVIEW
The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) was an initiative by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. It was formed to provide a strategic oversight for Dubai’s health sector while enhancing the private sector engagement.
Today, DHA governs and regulates Dubai’s healthcare sector. Its main functions include designing public health policies as well as standards and strategies to monitor the healthcare services provided by public and private healthcare facilities within the emirate. Dubai Health Authority also manages health investment, health insurance and health tourism services in Dubai.
It aims to stimulate the healthcare sector’s contribution to the city’s macroeconomic indicators. DHA is also responsible for formulating programs in preventive medicine, occupational health and safety, medical education and clinical research trials.
DHA’s mission is to transform Dubai into a leading healthcare destination with the help of public health advancement and ensuring universal access to high-value healthcare facilities. The organisational values are:
- Human-centred care
- Accountability
- Transparency
- Resilience
- Innovation
DHA PROJECTS AND INITIATIVES
SHERYAN
SHERYAN is the Dubai Health Authority’s (DHA) official digital platform for managing healthcare licensing and regulation in the emirate. It streamlines the end-to-end process for healthcare professionals and facilities seeking to operate legally in Dubai. Through SHERYAN, users can apply for new DHA licences, renew existing ones, manage registrations and track application statuses.
For healthcare professionals, SHERYAN offers services such as eligibility assessments, licence activation and verification of credentials. Facilities can use the platform to obtain, renew or amend licences, manage staff registrations and handle medication-related requests.
The system also provides access to DHA’s medical registry, allowing users to verify the licensing status of professionals and facilities. Additionally, it offers official circulars and updates from the Health Regulation Sector.
SHERYAN is accessible via the DHA portal and requires users to create an account, either as an individual or a corporate entity. It supports both Arabic and English, ensuring usability for a wide audience.
DUBAI HOUSEHOLD HEALTH SURVEY
This survey is an annual practice by DHA. It involves obtaining reliable and accurate data from the selected sample of households. This data is used for accurate representation of Dubai’s population in terms of social distribution and demographics.
HAYAT
This is a national program for the Donation and Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues. The humanitarian initiative allows Dubai residents aged 21 years and above to register as an organ donor. DHA created this program in accordance with a Federal Decree law passed in 2016. It not only regulates the process of organ and tissue donation, but also provides care for patients with organ deficiencies.
DUBAI HEALTH EXPERIENCE
Dubai Health Experience (DXH) is a health tourism initiative launched by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) in April 2016. It aims to position Dubai as a leading destination for medical and wellness tourism by offering high-quality healthcare services in a cosmopolitan setting.
DXH brings together a network of DHA-licensed healthcare providers, offering a range of services including cosmetic procedures, orthopaedics, dental treatments, dermatology, fertility services and wellness programmes. The initiative also provides support services such as visa facilitation, hotel bookings and post-treatment follow-ups to ensure a seamless experience for international patients.
Through its dedicated portal, DXH allows users to explore healthcare packages, book appointments and access information about participating facilities. The platform is designed to make Dubai a preferred choice for those seeking medical care combined with leisure and tourism opportunities.
NABIDH
National Backbone for Integrated Dubai Health (NABIDH) means pulse in Arabic. It is a health information exchange program to unify patient data from public and private healthcare networks. It is an ecosystem with the following objectives:
- Provide a trusted exchange platform
- Facilitate rapid onboarding and adoption
- Improve the safety of patients and healthcare providers
- Ensure empowerment and engagement
- Improve clinical collaboration and care coordination
- Reduce waste
- Improve operational excellence
- Support evidence-based health system in Dubai
- Improve health outcomes
DUBAI MENTAL WEALTH
DHA Dubai Health Authority has introduced the Mental Wealth Strategy, a pioneering effort to enhance mental well-being across the emirate. The initiative encourages open, stigma-free conversations about mental health and is aligned with Dubai’s Social Agenda 33.
It follows the guidance of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council. Backed by a five-year AED 105 million framework, the strategy comprises ten initiatives designed to support comprehensive well-being.
DUBAI HEALTH AUTHORITY SERVICES
Other than availing DHA smart services like Health Tourism and SHERYAN, Dubai Health Authority offers services for:
- Individuals
- Health professionals
- Health facilities
- Governments Entities
- Corporates and Businesses
Visit DHA’s official website to find more details about these services.
MEDICAL EDUCATION
DHA tirelessly works towards improving the healthcare services in the city. It governs medical education and provides various services to individuals affiliated with the medical industry in Dubai. Here’s a brief look at the medical education and research facilities DHA provides.
- Medical Research: DHA oversees the Dubai Scientific Research Ethics Committee, helping students get ethical approval for their research.
- CPD/CME Accreditation: DHA accredits training programmes for Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
- Medical Events: It supports and sponsors medical and health-related conferences in Dubai.
- Work Placement: Offers training placements for individuals to gain experience in DHA’s administrative and clinical sectors.
- Internship Programmes: Provides a one-year internship for graduates of local and international medical schools.
- Medical Library: The Electronic Medical Library gives access to books, journals, databases and CME resources for research and learning.
- Residency Training Programme: Launched in 2006, this programme helps bridge the gap between academic qualifications and clinical practice in Dubai.
- Facility Accreditation: DHA accredits health facilities to ensure they offer quality educational and training programmes.
FAQS ABOUT DHA
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF REGISTERING AS AN ORGAN DONOR THROUGH DHA’S HAYAT PROGRAM?
Registering as an organ donor through DHA’s Hayat programme allows individuals to save lives and support a culture of donation in the UAE. It ensures ethical, legally approved donations after confirmed brain death. Donors receive recognition and families are supported through dedicated spaces like the Hayat lounge.
Registration is simple for UAE residents over 18 with an Emirates ID.
WHAT INITIATIVES HAS DHA IMPLEMENTED TO IMPROVE PUBLIC HEALTH?
The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) has launched various initiatives to strengthen public health and enhance community well-being. These efforts include digital systems for medical records and vaccination tracking, awareness campaigns on disease prevention and training programmes for mental health and emergency response.
DHA also promotes healthier lifestyles through workshops, public screenings and health-focused city-wide campaigns. These initiatives aim to create a more resilient and health-conscious society in Dubai.
WHAT IS THE DUBAI HEALTH AUTHORITY’S LOCATION?
Dubai Health Authority location falls in Sheikh Ahmed Square, Al Jaddaf.
HOW DO I CONTACT DHA?
Dubai Health Authority contact number for UAE residents is 800-342. Those outside the country can contact at +971-4-219-8888 | +971-4-599-1200
And that’s a wrap on our guide to DHA. We hope you found all the information you were looking for. Need to apply for your child’s health card? Read our guide on applying for a Dubai Health Card for your baby to find out all the pertinent details.
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