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Dubai Health, Community Development Authority, and Dubai Health Authority Introduce the “Itma’en” Service to Support Mental Wellbeing and Quality of Life in Dubai
13 Mar 2026
Dubai Health, in collaboration with Community Development Authority, and Dubai Health Authority, has announced the launch of the ‘Itma’en’ service, which means ‘rest assured’, making mental health support freely accessible to citizens, residents, and visitors. This joint initiative reinforces Dubai’s vision of placing health and wellbeing at the heart of its priorities and reflects its commitment to developing an integrated mental health system that elevates quality of life across the community.
The service is part of ongoing efforts to expand access to mental wellbeing services and foster a healthier community.
The ‘Itma’en’ service offers confidential mental wellbeing guidance through a dedicated hotline (800506), providing a safe and welcoming space for individuals to consult experts and seek reassurance whenever they need it. A team of specialists is available to listen, provide professional guidance, and help foster greater awareness and understanding of mental wellbeing across the community.
This initiative embodies Dubai’s approach to developing integrated human-centred services that advance quality of life through a broad network of health and community programmes rooted in the belief that human wellbeing is the foundation of a thriving society. It also supports the objectives of Dubai Social Agenda 33, which aims to strengthen a comprehensive social framework that provides protection, care, and empowerment for all members of society, while advancing a healthcare system in line with global best practices.
Her Excellency Hessa bint Essa Buhumaid, Director General of Community Development Authority (CDA) in Dubai, affirmed that the launch of the mental wellbeing support hotline reflects the Authority’s commitment, together with its partners, to strengthening Dubai’s social care system. The initiative aims to provide specialised support channels that assist families and individuals in dealing with various emotional challenges, contributing to community stability and improved quality of life.
Her Excellency said: “Promoting mental wellness of individuals and families is a fundamental priority within Dubai’s social development framework, given its direct impact on community wellbeing and quality of life. Through this hotline, delivered in collaboration with our partners in the health sector, we aim to provide a safe space for every member of society to express their feelings and receive the professional support they need, strengthening social cohesion and fostering a culture of seeking help when needed.”
Proactive healthcare framework
His Excellency Dr. Alawi Alsheikh-Ali, Director General of Dubai Health Authority, emphasised that the initiative reflects Dubai’s unwavering commitment to advancing community health and wellbeing. He noted that it also embodies the city’s approach to building a flexible and proactive healthcare system that places people at its centre, while ensuring access to mental health guidance and counselling as a key pillar of public health and quality of life.
He explained that the initiative also reflects the Dubai Government’s approach to integrating efforts and collaboration among government entities to strengthen mental health services. By enabling community members to access timely guidance and care, the initiative contributes to building a healthier and happier society.
Dr. Amer Sharif, CEO of Dubai Health and President of Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU), said: “Guided by the vision of our leadership, the
Itma’en service reflects Dubai’s renewed commitment to ensuring that mental wellbeing is supported by the same care and attention as physical health. By working together with government entities, we are creating accessible channels for individuals to seek guidance with confidence and privacy, helping build healthier communities.”
He added: “I extend my sincere appreciation to our partners at the Community Development Authority (CDA) in Dubai and the Dubai Health Authority for their collaboration in launching this initiative. At Dubai Health, we remain committed to advancing health for humanity and strengthening community wellbeing through specialised digital and community programmes in line with our ‘Patient First’ promise.”
Comprehensive services
The Itma’en service targets all age groups and is provided free of charge in Arabic and English, operating daily from 9:00 am to midnight. Callers can speak directly with specialised counsellors to receive guidance and reassurance, while cases requiring medical follow-up are referred to the appropriate specialised teams for evaluation and further care.
Dubai Health Showcases Innovative Health Projects at Dubai Future Solutions - Prototypes for Humanity During the Dubai Future Forum
Dubai Health participated in Dubai Future Solutions – Prototypes for Humanity 2025 with three projects that demonstrate how innovation and collaboration can advance healthcare, through the integration of research, and technology.
The exhibition, held from 17 to 20 November on the sidelines of the Dubai Future Forum 2025 at Emirates Towers, features 100 student projects tailored to real-world needs.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Yacine Hadjiat, Director of The Center for Innovation and Technology at Dubai Health, said: “As this marks Dubai Health’s second year participating in Prototypes for Humanity, our presence at the 2025 exhibition reflects Dubai Health’s ongoing commitment to developing innovative health solutions that contribute to improving the quality of life of individuals and communities. The three projects we are showcasing this year are the result of direct collaboration between students, researchers, and experts, as they integrate scientific research, technology, and innovative design to reshape the future of healthcare.”
He added: “Through our participation, we are reinforcing our commitment to developing innovative solutions that shape the future of health. The Center for Innovation and Technology at Dubai Health embodies this vision by bringing together clinicians, scientists, learners, and innovators to transform bold ideas into real-world solutions that enhance patient care, drive medical innovation, and advance health for humanity, reinforcing Dubai’s position as a global leader in the health sector.
Among the featured projects is Wasl, a student-led initiative from Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU), the learning and discovery arm of Dubai Health, that explores how a mobile application can proactively support mental health.
Two additional projects are presented under the Professors Program, a newly introduced initiative designed to bridge the gap between academic research and its implementation to drive meaningful change. The first, PainDetect, a 2024 RDI Grant recipient, utilizes artificial intelligence and wearable technology to develop new methods for assessing and quantifying pain in real time, offering insights that could reshape how healthcare professionals understand and manage pain.
The second project, Design4Change: Sustainability in Healthcare, builds upon an international initiative from the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) that utilizes cross-cultural collaboration and design thinking to enhance health outcomes and promote environmental sustainability. Since 2023, this cross-sector alliance has connected more than 350 students from 13 universities across eight countries to co-create innovative solutions.
Dubai Health launches ‘Unified Health Screening’ service for residency and occupational health
Dubai Health has announced the launch of the ‘Unified Health Screening’ initiative, which combines medical fitness examinations for both residency and occupational health into a single application and unified journey, representing a significant step in streamlining procedures and simplifying the customer experience.
The initiative is implemented in collaboration with several government entities, including Dubai Health Authority, the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs-Dubai, Dubai Municipality, the Supreme Legislation Committee, and Department of Finance. The project is part of the ‘City Makers’ initiative of the General Secretariat of The Executive Council of Dubai, which aims to foster greater cooperation between government entities and deliver an exceptional experience across joint government services, in line with Dubai’s Social Agenda 33 and the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33.
The service enables professionals from various sectors to apply for health screenings through a smart digital platform. This integrated process combines medical fitness and occupational health screenings into a single, automated application based on the selected profession’s data, allowing all required examinations to be completed on a single visit. Following this, residency is issued automatically once the medical results are finalised.
This step further links databases across relevant authorities, ensuring faster and more accurate procedures.
His Excellency Dr. Alawi Alsheikh-Ali, Director General of Dubai Health Authority (DHA) said that the launch of the Unified Health Screening reflects Dubai’s commitment to strengthening joint government work through a single digital pathway that streamlines medical fitness examinations for residency and occupational health.
He emphasised the importance of this initiative and its role in automating processes and standardising and accelerating data exchange between entities, thereby supporting preventive planning and keeping pace with the growing demands arising from the city’s population and economic growth.
For his part, His Excellency Lieutenant General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General of the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai, stated that the ‘Unified Medical Screening’ service embodies Dubai’s integrated government model, founded on institutional connectivity and seamless system integration among the concerned entities.
His Excellency affirmed that GDRFA Dubai’s role centers on linking databases and enabling automated and secure information exchange with strategic partners, ensuring the availability of accurate data across all entities involved in delivering the service. This contributes to accelerating procedures and issuing residency permits smoothly upon completion of requirements, directly enhancing the customer experience and the overall efficiency of the government ecosystem.
He added that this level of integration strengthens data reliability and reduces duplication of procedures, thereby improving performance efficiency and harnessing advanced technologies to serve people first. It also reflects GDRFA Dubai’s commitment to supporting joint initiatives that elevate the customer journey and align with the Emirate’s aspirations for smarter and more proactive services.
His Excellency Eng. Marwan Ahmed bin Ghalita, Director General of Dubai Municipality, affirmed that the launch of the Unified Health Screening represents a strategic step in strengthening Dubai’s inspection and regulatory framework. He noted that the initiative reflects the commitment of Dubai’s government entities to delivering innovative government services that support the city’s global competitiveness, keep pace with economic and population growth, and ensure a safe and healthy working environment aligned with international best practices, as well as reinforcing Dubai’s position as the world’s best city to live and work.
His Excellency added: “The service marks a qualitative leap in advancing integration between government systems through unified processes and smartly connected databases. This enables Dubai Municipality’s inspection teams to access accurate, real-time information during inspection operations, ensuring compliance with occupational health and safety standards, strengthening proactive prevention, and enhancing response readiness in emergency situations.
His Excellency Dr. Amer Sharif, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Health and President of Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU), said: “The Unified Health Screening service marks a qualitative leap in the development of joint government services by unifying procedures and integrating systems of relevant entities. This contributes to simplifying the customer journey and elevating the quality of services.”
Dr. Sharif added: “This service reflects collaboration between government entities under the ‘City Makers’ initiative and aligns with Dubai’s vision to deliver smart and proactive services. It contributes to strengthening the readiness of the healthcare system and reinforces Dubai’s position as a leading model in the development of integrated government services.”
Service centres
The ‘Unified Health Screening’ service will be available at Dubai Health medical fitness centres, including the Garhoud Centre, Al Nahda Centre, Al Karama Centre, Al Yalayis Centre, Bur Dubai Centre, Jebel Ali Free Zone Centre, Zabeel Centre, and Smart Salem Centres.
The number of centres offering the service will be expanded in the coming phase, alongside increasing capacity at existing centres to accommodate growing demand and ensure a seamless customer experience.
About City Makers
The City Makers initiative was launched by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai in 2014. The initiative aims to enhance cooperation among government entities and supports the creation of task forces from across government to design exceptional shared government services.
Dubai Health boosts Emirati nursing workforce by 150% with 25 new hires
Dubai Health has onboarded 25 new Emirati nurses on the opening day of Ru’ya Careers UAE 2025. The new appointments build on three years of steady growth in nursing at Dubai Health, reflecting its commitment to strengthening the healthcare workforce.
The announcement was made during a special ceremony at Dubai Health’s stand at the exhibition in the presence of His Excellency Abdullah Ali bin Zayed Al-Falasi, Director General of the Dubai Government Human Resources Department; His Excellency Eng. Marwan Ahmed Bin Ghalita, Director General of Dubai Municipality, and Dr. Amer Sharif, CEO of Dubai Health and President of Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU).
During the ceremony, the new cohort of Emirati nurses were presented with a “Patient First” pin, a symbol of Dubai Health’s primary value, and pledged to place patients at the heart of their practice.
Dr. Amer Sharif, CEO of Dubai Health and President of MBRU, said: "We are proud to welcome a new group of Emirati nurses to Dubai Health after they successfully completed accredited training programs. Their appointment underscores our commitment to preparing national talent and advancing healthcare quality in line with the goals of Dubai Social Agenda 33, to build a modern and sustainable healthcare system.”
Dubai Health has made significant progress in Emiratization in nursing over the past three years. The number of Emirati nurses rose by 150 percent, from 48 in 2023 to 120 today. He added that the total nursing workforce across all nationalities now exceeds 4,400, supporting higher standards of safe and compassionate care in line with Dubai Health’s Patient First promise.
He added: “The directives of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, to name the College of Nursing and Midwifery at MBRU after Her Highness Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum has been a catalyst for inspiring Emiratis to join the profession. It has boosted interest in nursing and reinforced Dubai Health’s efforts to attract and prepare national talent.”
MBRU’s Hind Bint Maktoum College of Nursing and Midwifery offers a wide range of academic programs, including master’s degrees, postgraduate diplomas, and specialized certificates in intensive, pediatric, cardiac, and emergency nursing. A Bachelor of Science in Nursing program will also be introduced in the near future.
Khalifa Baqer, Chief Operating Officer at Dubai Health, said: "The appointment of 25 Emirati nurses on the inaugural day of our participation in Ru’ya Careers UAE 2025 marks an important step in empowering national talent in the healthcare sector. We believe that Emiratis are the cornerstone of building a sustainable future in healthcare, and nursing remains a key pillar of patient care at Dubai Health.”
He underlined that Dubai Health’s presence at the exhibition highlights career pathways and offers direct employment opportunities within its integrated academic health system, reflecting a sustained commitment to attracting and retaining Emirati talent across healthcare specialties.
Dubai Health Showcases Innovative Health Projects at Dubai Future Solutions - Prototypes for Humanity During the Dubai Future Forum
Dubai Health participated in Dubai Future Solutions – Prototypes for Humanity 2025 with three projects that demonstrate how innovation and collaboration can advance healthcare, through the integration of research, and technology.
The exhibition, held from 17 to 20 November on the sidelines of the Dubai Future Forum 2025 at Emirates Towers, features 100 student projects tailored to real-world needs.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Yacine Hadjiat, Director of The Center for Innovation and Technology at Dubai Health, said: “As this marks Dubai Health’s second year participating in Prototypes for Humanity, our presence at the 2025 exhibition reflects Dubai Health’s ongoing commitment to developing innovative health solutions that contribute to improving the quality of life of individuals and communities. The three projects we are showcasing this year are the result of direct collaboration between students, researchers, and experts, as they integrate scientific research, technology, and innovative design to reshape the future of healthcare.”
He added: “Through our participation, we are reinforcing our commitment to developing innovative solutions that shape the future of health. The Center for Innovation and Technology at Dubai Health embodies this vision by bringing together clinicians, scientists, learners, and innovators to transform bold ideas into real-world solutions that enhance patient care, drive medical innovation, and advance health for humanity, reinforcing Dubai’s position as a global leader in the health sector.
Among the featured projects is Wasl, a student-led initiative from Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU), the learning and discovery arm of Dubai Health, that explores how a mobile application can proactively support mental health.
Two additional projects are presented under the Professors Program, a newly introduced initiative designed to bridge the gap between academic research and its implementation to drive meaningful change. The first, PainDetect, a 2024 RDI Grant recipient, utilizes artificial intelligence and wearable technology to develop new methods for assessing and quantifying pain in real time, offering insights that could reshape how healthcare professionals understand and manage pain.
The second project, Design4Change: Sustainability in Healthcare, builds upon an international initiative from the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) that utilizes cross-cultural collaboration and design thinking to enhance health outcomes and promote environmental sustainability. Since 2023, this cross-sector alliance has connected more than 350 students from 13 universities across eight countries to co-create innovative solutions.