UAE's Healthcare Sector Grows with New Insurance Plan for Workers in 2025

Image Source – Pexels / Arthur Uzoagba

The UAE’s Healthcare Market Overview – 2024

The UAE’s healthcare sector demonstrated significant growth in 2024 in line with the government’s vision to promote a healthy lifestyle and improve the quality of life in the country. For FY 2024, the UAE’s healthcare sector was valued at AED 5.2 billion ($1.4 billion). Furthermore, the healthcare sector in the UAE is projected to grow by 7.4% in the coming years. To improve healthcare, a budget of AED 5.7 billion ($1.6 billion) is allocated by the UAE government, representing 8% of the federal budget for FY 2025.

New Health and Medical Insurance Reforms – 2025 

As per the UAE cabinet, a health insurance system for employees registered with private sector organizations and domestic workers who do not already have health insurance will be introduced. From January 2025, private sector employers and sponsors of domestic workers are directed to pay for the insurance coverage. The government’s decision will likely benefit the UAE health and medical insurance market which is currently valued at AED 38.6 billion (USD 10.5 billion) and expected to grow at a CAGR of 12.35% by 2029.

Mandatory Premarital Genetic Testing in UAE – 2025

The Emirates Genome Council also announced a mandatory premarital screening program for all citizens planning to marry from January 2025. While genetic testing in the UAE was optional earlier, the government has made it compulsory to proactively identify genetic disorders and enable early medical intervention. 

Read: The UAE’s Healthcare Sector Evolution

Medical and Healthcare Projects in the UAE – 2024

In 2024, a series of medical and healthcare projects were announced in the UAE. This included the construction of a specialized medical city dedicated to the health of children and women. The city will include a rehabilitation complex, the Corniche Hospital, which focuses on the health of women and newborns, and Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, a center of excellence for pediatric care. 

Likewise, a national nursing academy, Jaheziya was inaugurated in collaboration with the National Academy for Medical Training and Research, Tadreeb. The nursing academy aims to strengthen the readiness of nurses across public and private hospitals across the UAE. 

The Ministry of Health and Prevention and AstraZeneca signed a strategic partnership agreement to develop early detection programs for lung cancer utilizing cutting-edge technologies and industry best practices. Similarly, Abu Dhabi authorities issued a license to the Institute for Healthier Living Abu Dhabi. The institute is touted to be the world’s first medical center focusing on health longevity medicine. 

The UAE – Fastest Growing Medical Tourism Market Globally

The UAE continues to affirm its position as a leading medical tourism hub for international healthcare travelers. In 2014, the UAE continued to attract visitors seeking specialized treatments in dermatology, dentistry, gynecology, orthopedics, plastic surgery, ophthalmology, and fertility treatments. Among the medical tourists, Asian visitors comprised 39% which were closely followed by visitors from European and CIS countries (22%). The Gulf and Arab nations contributed 21% while the remaining 18% hailed from various parts of the world. The medical tourist data highlights the widespread recognition of the UAE’s thriving medical tourism sector on a global scale.

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