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Dubai Health launches ‘Unified Health Screening’ service for residency and occupational health
17 Feb 2026
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 and Johnson & Johnson MedTech Sign Memorandum of Understanding to Advance Healthcare Innovation
Dubai Health and Johnson & Johnson MedTech have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) establishing a collaborative framework to advance professional education, drive sustainability initiatives, and support digital innovation in healthcare.
The MoU was signed by Dr. Hanan Al Suwaidi, Deputy CEO and Chief Academic Officer of Dubai Health and Provost of Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU), and Prosun Niyogi, Vice President and General Manager, Surgery Emerging Markets representing Johnson & Johnson MedTech. The signing was attended by Dr. Tarek Fathey, Chief Clinical Officer at Dubai Health.
The collaboration is structured around three core pillars. The first focuses on professional education and capacity building through tailored training programs and train-the-trainer initiatives. The second advances sustainable development by expanding recycling programs across selected hospitals. The third supports the implementation of digital ecosystems that enable surgical video capture, secure content sharing, collaborative case planning, and telepresence-enabled remote collaboration and education.
Dr. Hanan Al Suwaidi said: “This strategic partnership with Johnson & Johnson MedTech reflects our commitment to healthcare excellence through purpose-driven partnerships. Guided by our vision to advance health for humanity, we are building a framework that will enhance professional education, promote sustainability, and support digital innovation across our integrated academic health system.”
Dr. Tarek Fathey said: “This collaboration represents a significant milestone in advancing clinical practice across Dubai Health through the integration of advanced digital technologies into surgical environments and clinical education. It enhances precision in medical decision-making, strengthens multidisciplinary team capabilities, and ultimately contributes to improved patient outcomes.”
Prosun Niyogi said, “Dubai Health's 'Patient First' promise reflects the same principle that guides everything we do at Johnson & Johnson MedTech: putting the needs of patients above all else. This partnership allows us to pioneer new models of professional education, advance sustainable healthcare practices, and connect clinicians through digital innovation- all in service of one goal: removing limitations to a full life and changing the trajectory of health for communities across the UAE and beyond.”
The collaboration reflects a shared commitment to driving meaningful progress in healthcare through knowledge exchange, innovation, and strategic partnership, ultimately supporting better outcomes for patients and communities.
Dubai Health, Community Development Authority, and Dubai Health Authority Introduce the “Itma’en” Service to Support Mental Wellbeing and Quality of Life in Dubai
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.