The UAE government has worked towards establishing a legislative system in the health sector to promote and protect public health. This is in accordance with the precautionary principles, confirmed scientific evidence and the international health regulations. The government seeks to raise awareness in the community about the factors and risks that affect human health, establishing a sense of individual and collective responsibility.

The legislative system in the UAE serves to protect the rights of patients and regulate health facilities, medicines, medical products and medical personnel. This ensures that the UAE’s goals in the health sector are achieved. The government aims to provide high-quality services in innovative ways, in accordance with the best standards and in collaboration with health entities. Find related health legislations on the websites of:

• Ministry of Health and Prevention
• Department of Health - Abu Dhabi (read under Resources)
• Dubai Health Authority

Read about patients’ rights and responsibilities.

The following legislations are among the most critical federal health regulations that oversee sensitive matters in the UAE’s health sector:

• Federal Law No. 13 of 2020 on Public Health
• Federal Law No.14 of 2014 on Combatting Communicable Diseases 
• Federal Decree-Law No. 4 of 2016 on Medical Liability (PDF,8821 KB)
• Federal Decree Law No. 2 of 2021 amending some provisions of Federal Law No. 4 of 2015 Regarding Private Health Facilities
• Federal Law No. 5 of 2019 on the Regulation of the Practice of the Human Medicine Profession
• Federal Law No. 2 of 2019 Concerning the Use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in Health Fields
• Ministerial Resolution No. 14 of 2021 on the Patient’s Rights and Responsibilities Charter.