His Excellency Awadh Seghayer Al Ketbi, director general, Dubai Health Authority, talks to Economy Middle East about the emirate’s latest innovations and initiatives to promote sustainability and excellence in providing healthcare services.
Tell us about the importance of having the Dubai Health Accounts system, as well as its features and insights it provides.
The Health Accounts System of Dubai is a globally recognized framework that tracks healthcare spending and resource allocation, providing key insights into the financial flows within the health sector. By analyzing the data year-after-year, the DHA ensures that Dubai’s health expenditure aligns with strategic priorities, offering a clear picture of where funds are spent and how resources are utilized.
This yearly tracking not only ensures accountability but also helps drive evidence-based policymaking, empowering stakeholders with valuable data to enhance healthcare sustainability and development. The data helps Dubai build a robust health system by identifying spending patterns, assessing resource allocation, and ensuring long-term financial health sector resilience.
For 2023, a total of AED22.24 billion was spent on healthcare in Dubai, with the majority spent within the city and only 1 percent (AED217 million) spent abroad.
This represents 5.2 percent of Dubai’s total GDP, with a per capita spend of AED4,569. The largest share of expenditure, 47 percent was directed towards hospital settings, followed by 24 percent for clinics and 19 percent for retail pharmacies and ancillary services. The majority of spending, 57 percent, was on curative services, 19 percent on medical goods including pharmaceuticals, and 14 percent on ancillary services.
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Tracking trends over the past 11 years, we see that total healthcare expenditure in Dubai has more than doubled, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.6 percent. Over this period, per capita health spending has grown at a 3.5 percent CAGR, reflecting rising healthcare needs as the population continues to grow. The health sector’s contribution to Dubai’s GDP has also steadily increased, from 3.1 percent in 2012 to 5.2 percent in 2023.
These trends indicate a strong and growing healthcare sector. The reduction in out-of-pocket spending and the improvement in service accessibility are clear indicators of success. As Dubai continues to monitor healthcare expenditure, the data will be used to refine strategies and investments, further strengthening the health system’s sustainability and capacity to meet future challenges.
Dubai has introduced the Mental Wealth Framework to enhance mental well-being. What are the core objectives of this strategy and how does it aim to transform the provision of mental health support?
Mental health is now widely recognized as fundamental to both economic and social well-being. Dubai’s Mental Wealth Framework marks a shift in how we view psychological resilience—making it a community priority rather than an individual concern.
Launched under the guidance of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense of the UAE, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, the initiative is aligned with the broader Dubai Social Agenda 33, which seeks to position Dubai among the top global cities in both quality of life and life expectancy. The framework goes beyond traditional mental health strategies by integrating early detection, preventive care, and community-based support, aiming to enhance mental well-being across all segments of society.
With an investment of AED105 million over five years, the framework targets diverse groups, from schoolchildren to the elderly and those with chronic conditions. Through policy integration in education, workplaces, and healthcare, as well as a strong emphasis on research and data-driven decision-making, the initiative reflects Dubai’s ambition to be a global leader in promoting human flourishing and well-being.
AI and technology are reshaping industries worldwide. How is DHA leveraging AI and digital solutions to enhance healthcare services, patient outcomes, and operational efficiency?
At the DHA, we are integrating advanced digital technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), to transform healthcare management and delivery. Our initiatives aim to improve patient outcomes, streamline operations, and position Dubai as a global leader in digital health.
One of our key initiatives is the implementation of Robotic Process Automation (RPA) integrated with AI technologies. This integration has automated routine tasks, significantly enhancing operational efficiency. For instance, medical report validation, which previously took an entire day, is now completed in just two minutes. Similarly, HR tasks such as managing employee information and sending renewal reminders, which once consumed substantial time, are now automated. This allows our HR professionals to focus on more impactful projects.
Using the RPA technology and adding AI technology, we have created two virtual employees who do various routine tasks. This technology is expected to save approximately 8,596 working hours annually, enabling employees to focus on strategic priorities. We plan to add more virtual employees this year to enhance efficiency, reduce the time needed for routine tasks and this gives our employees more time to focus on creative and innovative tasks.
We also have a comprehensive digital licensing system known as Sheryan, it is an online platform for healthcare facility services and professional licensing. Since its inception, it has processed over 4 million transactions, significantly reducing processing times and enhancing service delivery. As part of Sheryan, we have added a new digital portal that centralizes job listings from both public and private healthcare facilities, streamlining recruitment and enhancing access for professionals seeking employment in Dubai’s healthcare sector.
We also have the HASANA system, it is an upgraded public health solution for disease surveillance. It integrates data from all health facilities in Dubai, creating unified immunization records and effectively managing communicable diseases. This integration ensures that healthcare providers have access to comprehensive patient data, facilitating better decision-making and patient care.
In terms of single patient electronic medical record, we have a comprehensive initiative known as NABIDH.
Could you tell us about Dubai’s Electronic Patient Medical Record initiative? How will having a unified electronic file for each patient enhance healthcare efficiency and patient care?
We have introduced the NABIDH platform, a comprehensive electronic patient medical record system, which links over 1,500 healthcare providers and securely stores more than 9.5 million medical records, ensuring that each individual has a single, easily accessible file, which greatly enhances both efficiency and patient care.
Having this system in place allows healthcare providers to instantly retrieve a patient’s complete history, including critical diagnostic images. This speeds up decision-making, enabling more personalized treatment plans. Furthermore, the platform fosters seamless communication between healthcare providers, preventing unnecessary tests and ensuring continuity of care across different facilities. NABIDH facilitates improved diagnoses, enhances treatment quality, supports timely medical decision-making, and ultimately elevates patient care across Dubai.
By implementing NABIDH, we are enhancing the overall efficiency of our healthcare system—this initiative also positions Dubai at the forefront of digital health , further enhancing patient outcomes and utilizing technology to improve healthcare efficiencies as well as patient care, convenience and overall satisfaction.
Could you elaborate on DHA’s Public Health and Awareness Strategy? What key initiatives are being implemented to promote preventive healthcare and overall community well-being?
At DHA, we are committed to enhancing community well-being through several strategic initiatives. One of our flagship programs and our a key priority is the Mental Wealth Framework.
In addition, we are actively engaged in the prevention of diseases and health promotion. Our efforts are centered on educating the public about healthy lifestyles, conducting regular screenings, and vaccination education programs. These initiatives are designed to empower individuals to take charge of their health and well-being.
We also recognize the importance of elderly care. Our programs are tailored to meet the unique needs of the aging population, providing specialized healthcare services, support systems, and community engagement activities to ensure that our senior citizens lead healthy and fulfilling lives.
Furthermore, our school health initiatives aim to promote health and well-being among students. By integrating health education into the school curriculum, conducting health assessments, and providing mental health support, we strive to create a healthy learning environment that fosters the overall development of our youth.
Through these comprehensive initiatives, the DHA is dedicated to fostering a healthier and happier community in Dubai.
The Dubai Health Authority has introduced the ‘Enthar’ early warning system for infectious diseases. Could you elaborate on its role in public health monitoring?
The Enthar early warning system is a key initiative in our commitment to enhancing Dubai’s public health security. It uses advanced AI technologies to monitor and detect infectious diseases proactively. This system plays a vital role in strengthening our epidemic prevention framework by supporting our health monitoring teams, risk assessment units, and health inspectors, especially at sea and land borders.
The Enthar system analyzes vast amounts of global health data in real-time, offering precise risk assessments that allow us to stay ahead of potential epidemics. With its ability to process multilingual and open-source data — ranging from public health reports to scientific and media articles — this AI-driven tool provides invaluable insights. It also sends alerts on emerging health risks, helping us make swift, informed decisions when responding to health emergencies.
The system’s advanced capabilities, such as its risk analysis tools, which assess factors like disease characteristics, historical trends, and even environmental influences, make it a comprehensive system. These functionalities enable us to deliver highly accurate, data-backed reports, ultimately ensuring the efficiency of our crisis response and public health measures.
Looking ahead, what are the key priorities and strategic focus areas for DHA in shaping the future of healthcare in Dubai?
Looking ahead, our strategic focus is on harnessing technology to transform the full spectrum of healthcare services in Dubai. Technology will continue to enhance patient care, improve operational efficiency, and enable more accurate and timely decision-making, ensuring that healthcare in Dubai is not only world-class but also adaptive to the evolving needs of our population.
Mental health and public health remain top priorities for us. We are committed to creating integrated solutions that address the mental well-being of our community while promoting preventive healthcare on a large scale. Additionally, we will continue to drive health sustainability by further enhancing financing models that ensure the long-term resilience of our healthcare system.
Finally, technology will play an increasingly important role in streamlining our licensing systems. By further digitizing this process, we aim to create an even more efficient, transparent, and accessible framework for healthcare professionals and providers. These initiatives are part of our vision to position Dubai as a global leader in healthcare innovation, ensuring that our community members enjoy access to the best care, now and in the future.
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