Public Policy Document

The UAE is firmly committed to building a fair and inclusive society that ensures equal opportunities for all, including People of Determination. This commitment reflects our recognition that People of Determination often require timelier and more accessible access to healthcare and support services, not only to address disability-related needs, but also to manage associated health conditions.
Promoting the health of People of Determination has long been, and continues to be, a fundamental national priority in the UAE and a cornerstone of comprehensive and sustainable development. People of Determination are an integral part of the social fabric and active contributors to national progress, including economic development. Accordingly, the development of a comprehensive national policy to promote their health represents a critical step toward creating an enabling environment that supports a healthy and sustainable quality of life.
This public policy seeks to provide a comprehensive and sustainable healthcare system in the UAE that promotes the health of People of Determination within an integrated and supportive society, while also strengthening the prevention of disabilities across the wider community. This will be achieved through the provision of comprehensive, accessible, and high-quality healthcare services that respond to the specific health needs of People of Determination; the development of an integrated habilitation and rehabilitation system; and the advancement of research and innovation in disability-related health, alongside other enabling initiatives.
 

1. Strengthen effective health governance and multi-sectoral partnerships to support the health of People of Determination.
2. Reduce the incidence of disability by strengthening preventive healthcare and early-intervention measures across various stages of life.
3. Ensure the provision of comprehensive, accessible, and high-quality healthcare services, including mental health services, that respond to the diverse and evolving health needs of People of Determination.
4. Develop an integrated habilitation and rehabilitation system that enhances the quality of life for People of Determination.
5. Create supportive, safe, and health-enabling environments that promote community participation, social inclusion, and equal access to health services for People of Determination.
6. Strengthen integrated health information systems, data governance, and statistics related to People of Determination.
7. Advance research and support innovation in disability-related health.

1. Strengthen governance, partnership-building, and cross-sector integration to enable coordinated and effective health responses for People of Determination.
2. Build and reinforce social, financial, and administrative commitment to empower People of Determination.
3. Enhance coordination at all levels, including national partnerships, multi-sectoral networks, and international cooperation, to advance the health of People of Determination.
4. Develop supportive health legislations to promote the health of People of Determination.
5. Strengthen institutional capacity and infrastructure of relevant entities, and build the capabilities of specialized professionals to effectively meet the diverse needs of People of Determination.
6. Prevent disabilities across all segments of society.
7. Promote community participation, communication, and awareness-building.
8. Ensure the engagement of People of Determination and their representative organizations in health-sector policymaking.
9. Promote the mental health of People of Determination, while addressing the health impacts of violence and contributing to the prevention of its root causes.
10. Address the health and related impacts of physical and psychological violence against People of Determination through the provision of safe, integrated, and comprehensive healthcare services.
11. Create health-promoting environments that support People of Determination.
12. Support the health of intersectional groups of People of Determination, providing targeted protection, prevention, and enabling environments for People of Determination with specific needs.
13. Generate data and statistics related to health services targeting People of Determination to support evidence-based decision-making.

1. Enhance access for People of Determination to comprehensive, accessible, and high-quality healthcare services, encompassing preventive, curative, habilitation, and rehabilitation services.
2. Strengthen early detection and intervention programs for newborns to reduce the incidence and long-term impact of disabilities.
3. Achieve comprehensive national coverage of newborn screening programs to enable the early identification of diseases and health conditions that may lead to future disabilities.
4. Enhance premarital screening programs to identify hereditary health conditions that may increase the risk of disabilities among offspring.
5. Expand genetic counselling services as a key preventive measure to reduce the incidence of disability.
6. Improve access to genetic counselling services for couples planning to marry, enabling them to understand potential health risks and adopt appropriate preventive measures.
7. Complete the national registry for People of Determination, providing an accurate, integrated, and up-to-date data system that supports sound health planning, improves the design of preventive and therapeutic programs, and strengthens evidence-based decision-making at the national level.
8. Strengthen the legislative framework to safeguard, promote, and advance the health of People of Determination.

The UAE community, with particular focus on People of Determination and their families, health sector entities across the country, including governmental, private-sector, and third-sector organizations.