From digital health to wellness services: How Dubai is empowering its healthcare with innovation

The UAE has been voted the world’s fourth-best place to live and work by HSBC’s 2021 Expat Explorer survey. This status means that the emirates across the country, particularly Dubai, welcome thousands of new residents each year, many of whom come to work—some for regionally and nationally renowned employers, while others start their own businesses.

It is no surprise that in August 2022, Dubai beat internationally acclaimed business hubs like London and Singapore to reach the pinnacle and earn the title of number one destination for foreign direct investment (FDI) in 2021.

The reason for this growth is the avenues and infrastructure that Dubai boasts of in all the primary sectors, ranging from transportation to education and real estate. Healthcare is no exception as well. It is rather the healthcare sector that remains one of the most innovative and empowering sectors, responsible for cementing the UAE’s and Dubai’s position as one of the preferred places to live, work, and visit.

Such is the current state of adoption and acceptance of the latest health advancements like digital health in the UAE and the region, that the consumers seek better services and are willing to embrace new healthcare options more than people in any other geography.

Abbreviating the stance of the UAE, and particularly Dubai, on healthcare, Sultan Butti bin Mejren, Director-General of the Dubai Land Department, stated, “Health and safety issues have always been fundamental pillars of the UAE’s strategy, and Dubai in particular, towards ensuring growth by promoting innovation and sustainability, in line with the developmental approach pursued by the wise leadership under the guidance of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai.”

He was talking during the opening speech at the ‘The Future of Health, Wellness, and Innovation Forum’ in December 2022.

He further said, “The Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan draws an integrated future map for sustainable urban development, the main focus of which is people and the improvement of their quality of life. From this standpoint, health, safety, and innovation standards have become integral to achieving Dubai’s vision to become the best city in the world to live and work.”

For anyone thinking of making the decision to head to the UAE to live or work, healthcare is provided by employers. Like all other infrastructures and services, healthcare services are of the absolute best quality, with not only the latest health technologies in common use but also highly educated doctors and healthcare practitioners that add icing to the cake.

Add to that the fact that getting medical insurance in the UAE is neither expensive nor difficult, and you have one of the best healthcare ecosystems in the world. A typical individual medical plan, for example, costs around AED 10,000 (USD 2700) per year. For basic medical coverage, family health insurance in Dubai costs anywhere between AED 17000 – 18000 (approximately USD 4900). Comprehensive health insurance premiums for expats can cost around AED 5,500 annually. Overall, if you plan on making Dubai your home, you can sift through various options and get coverage for yourself, your family, or your employer—whatever suits your needs best.

For millions of expat professionals and their families, Dubai is the city of opportunity and prosperity—prosperity that goes beyond material and financial gains to cover the health, wellness, and happiness of everyone who calls it home.