Healthy living in Dubai...

Dubai is the world's new melting pot. Expats come from all over the world to live here, work, conduct business, study, or just stop by for a visit. The vision that the Government and leaders of Dubai have today is to make it a uniquely qualified good-health destination as well, providing state of the art medical facilities.

In the mean time, because there are so many various people coming in here, there are unique medical situations, and, of course, solutions. The hospitals here are very good, and most doctors and medical staff are world-class. Becuase of the high number of expats here, you'll find 'expat medical cases' – such as in schools, where kids coming back from, say, Canada, will bring in a virus that is perhaps unique to Canada, and so on.

Most, or all expats, require a health test (usually just a quick jab for a blood test) in order to get a Residence Visa.

No health certificates are required for entry to Dubai, but it is always wise to check before departure, as health restrictions may vary depending upon the situation at the time.

Medical Services
The Health and Medical Services Department provides medical care for all UAE nationals, visitors and resident expatriates.

Dubai has many well equipped public and private hospitals offering high quality health and dental care services. There are seven hospitals in Dubai and government clinics in the districts of Jumairah, Satwa, Buhail, Rashidiya, Qusais, Hatta, Al-Lusaili, Jebel Ali, and at the airport and Port Rashid.

Emergency medical care in Dubai is free for anyone and there are no restrictions. For non-urgent health care, any UAE resident seeking treatment may register for a health card for which a fee is paid.

New arrivals are advised to register immediately for a health card. They may otherwise have to pay full medical costs after the first two visits.

A very useful page on Dubai expat health issues from the Dubai Women's College site

Here's a list of Dubai Hospitals and telephone numbers...

Dubai London Clinic - private medical clinic offering the services of a consultant physician, gynaecologist and obstetrician, paediatrician, family doctor, radiologist and dentist. comprehensive laboratory and x-ray/scan facilities.

Belhoul Apollo Hospital - Dubai hospital that is part of the Belhoul group of companies and the Apollo Hospitals group. Includes profile, service details, departments, facilities, and health packages.

Welcare Hospital - Provides online appointments registration, details on the hospital's physicians, health packages, facilities and contact information

American Hospital Dubai - emergency services and American standards of healthcare.

Emirates Hospital - Hospital in Jumeirah, Dubai with cosmetic surgery and dermatology centers, gynecology department, tele medicine services, and a 24-hour clinic.

New Medical Centre Hospital - The NMC Group is a healthcare institution with hospitals in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah

Iranian Hospital - Details the Dubai hospital's profile, medical facilities, health packages, biannually English medical journal, and contact details.

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