February 23, 2026
Methodology About Newsletter
WE THE UAE 2031
The Vanderbilt Terminal for the UAE's National Transformation
INDEPENDENT GLOBAL INTELLIGENCE FOR THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
UAE GDP: AED 2.03T ▲ 5.7% | Non-Oil GDP Share: 84.3% ▼ -5.2pp | FDI Inflows: $45.6B ▲ 48.7% | GDP Growth: 4.0% ▲ -0.3pp vs 2023 | Inflation: 1.7% ▼ +0.0pp vs 2023 | Female Participation: 55.1% ▲ +0.6pp vs 2023 | Population: 11.0M ▲ 4.8% | Emiratisation Rate: 12.5% ▲ 2.1pp | Global Competitiveness: #7 ▲ 3 places | Clean Energy Capacity: 7.2 GW ▲ 18.4% | ADX Index: 9,842 ▲ 4.7% | DFM Index: 4,621 ▲ 6.2% | UAE GDP: AED 2.03T ▲ 5.7% | Non-Oil GDP Share: 84.3% ▼ -5.2pp | FDI Inflows: $45.6B ▲ 48.7% | GDP Growth: 4.0% ▲ -0.3pp vs 2023 | Inflation: 1.7% ▼ +0.0pp vs 2023 | Female Participation: 55.1% ▲ +0.6pp vs 2023 | Population: 11.0M ▲ 4.8% | Emiratisation Rate: 12.5% ▲ 2.1pp | Global Competitiveness: #7 ▲ 3 places | Clean Energy Capacity: 7.2 GW ▲ 18.4% | ADX Index: 9,842 ▲ 4.7% | DFM Index: 4,621 ▲ 6.2% |

Definition

The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) is the UAE’s federal government ministry responsible for setting national health policy, regulating healthcare standards, overseeing pharmaceutical and medical device approvals, and leading public health and disease prevention programs. MOHAP operates federal hospitals and primary care centres, particularly in the northern emirates, while also setting nationwide regulatory standards that apply across all seven emirates.

UAE Context

The UAE healthcare landscape involves both federal and emirate-level entities. While Abu Dhabi and Dubai operate their own health authorities (the Department of Health Abu Dhabi and the Dubai Health Authority respectively), MOHAP retains the federal mandate for health policy, drug regulation, and disease surveillance. The ministry oversees healthcare delivery in Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah through a network of public hospitals and clinics. MOHAP also manages the national vaccination program, health insurance regulation for federal entities, and the UAE’s response to public health emergencies.

Key Data

  • Established: Originally as Ministry of Health; rebranded with prevention mandate
  • Scope: Federal health policy, drug regulation, disease prevention, northern emirates healthcare
  • Facilities: Federal hospitals and primary care centres in five northern emirates
  • Key functions: Pharmaceutical registration, health licensing, disease surveillance, immunization
  • Digital services: Integrated with UAE PASS and national health information systems
  • Headquarters: Dubai

Significance for Vision 2031

MOHAP’s role in Vision 2031 centres on building a world-class healthcare system that improves population health outcomes and attracts medical tourism. The ministry’s focus on preventive health, digital health records, telemedicine adoption, and pharmaceutical industry development supports national goals of extending healthy life expectancy, reducing healthcare costs, and positioning the UAE as a regional centre of medical excellence.

  • HealthTech - Digital health sector aligned with MOHAP’s modernization agenda
  • Smart Government - Digital governance model MOHAP adopts for service delivery
  • UAE PASS - Authentication platform for accessing MOHAP digital services
  • Vision 2031 - National strategy with health sector development priorities