Dubai’s new Public Health Law, Law No. (5) of 2025, is set to take effect at the end of July 2025. Issued by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the law introduces comprehensive health regulations impacting work and residency exams, driving licenses, and broader public health initiatives across the emirate.
Sweeping Changes to Health Regulations
The new legislation introduces significant changes to health regulations, particularly concerning mandatory medical examinations. These include:
- Pre-employment tests: New standards and procedures will be established for health screenings required before employment.
- Residency applications: Medical examinations for residency permits will be subject to updated regulations.
- Driver’s license issuance: Health requirements for obtaining and renewing driver’s licenses will be revised.
- Professional driver permits: Specific health standards will be implemented for professional drivers.
- Professional health cards: Regulations for the issuance of professional health cards will be updated.
Dubai Health Authority’s Expanded Role
The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) has been assigned 14 key responsibilities under the new law, in coordination with other competent authorities. These responsibilities aim to enhance public health across various demographics and aspects of life in Dubai.
Key responsibilities include:
- Setting policies and standards for promoting healthy lifestyles, vaccinations, and public health education.
- Overseeing the implementation of new medical examination procedures.
- Promoting and protecting the physical and mental health of adolescents and adults.
- Combating harmful behaviors that pose health risks.
- Providing integrated healthcare for the elderly.
- Supporting awareness campaigns against psychoactive substance abuse.
- Educating the public on health risks, disease prevention, and the importance of regular screenings.
- Developing and enhancing regulations to ensure adequate healthcare.
- Supporting medical research and studies.
- Establishing frameworks to safeguard patients’ rights and address medical malpractice.
Focus on Family Health and Preventive Measures
The law places a strong emphasis on family health, assigning the DHA 10 specific tasks in this area. These initiatives are designed to support families through various life stages and promote preventive health practices.
Key family health responsibilities include:
- Developing and implementing maternal health programs covering pregnancy, childbirth, and postnatal periods.
- Creating family planning programs to educate mothers on optimal birth spacing.
- Overseeing child immunization programs, including vaccine provision and monitoring coverage rates.
- Developing and implementing family health and nutrition education programs.
- Promoting preventive health practices within households, such as regular medical check-ups and vaccinations.
- Establishing premarital screening programs to prevent hereditary diseases.
- Providing psychological and social support programs for families.
- Raising awareness on the importance of regular preventive screenings for non-communicable diseases, including newborn, early childhood, school, prenatal, perinatal, postnatal, and adult health checkups.
Objectives and Penalties
The primary objective of the new public health law is to mitigate health risks, enhance public health, raise community awareness, and foster individual and collective responsibility for health. It also aims to promote preventive awareness and ensure a healthy and sustainable living environment, making Dubai more attractive for residency, business, and investment.
Violations of the law or related decisions can result in fines ranging from Dh500 to Dh1,000,000. Repeat offenses within one year may lead to doubled fines, up to a maximum of Dh2,000,000.