Dubai, United Arab Emirates, October 19, 2026: The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) has showcased three integrated pathways to empower people of determination, enhance their quality of life and provide them with sustainable care to the highest standards, in line with the UAE’s direction and Dubai’s position as a global city friendly to people of determination.
This came during DHA’s participation in the eighth edition of AccessAbilities Expo 2026, which opened today in Dubai.
During its participation, DHA is highlighting three key initiatives that form core pillars in developing health services for people of determination: the Health Standards for People of Determination, the Sanadhum initiative and the Unified Medical Report.
DHA is presenting the Health Standards for People of Determination, a regulatory document that serves as the main reference for compliance by DHA-licensed health facilities and for the implementation of medical initiatives for people of determination. The standards aim to enhance the quality and safety of healthcare provided to them through an integrated system that goes beyond adapting buildings and facilities to cover leadership and service planning, communication mechanisms, patient assessment and care, data protection, and emergency preparedness and response. The standards also target health facilities and healthcare professionals, directly improving the experience of patients and their families.
DHA is also presenting the Sanadhum initiative, a regulatory and awareness initiative that aims to strengthen health facilities’ compliance with healthcare-related requirements for people of determination, including the relevant provisions of the Dubai Universal Design Code and approved health policies. The initiative includes field inspection campaigns across all health facilities to verify the readiness of facilities and services, and to ensure ease of access, priority and fast-track services for people of determination, as well as compliance with approved regulatory requirements. The initiative contributes to a safer and more accessible healthcare environment and strengthens facilities’ commitment to the rights and health needs of people of determination.
As part of its efforts to standardise medical assessment procedures, DHA is showcasing the Unified Medical Report, a unified medical reference for the diagnosis, classification and assessment of the functional impact of cases. The report aims to standardise medical terminology and reports, improve the accuracy and consistency of assessments, and reduce variation in case classification. Through the NABIDH platform, the report is linked to the relevant government systems, from the assessment of the case at an accredited health facility through to accessing the associated services. This speeds up and simplifies procedures, and enables people of determination to access the services they need more efficiently, with greater integration between the relevant entities.
Asma Al Sharif, CEO of the Health Regulatory Sector at DHA, said: “Our participation in AccessAbilities Expo stems from DHA’s firm commitment to supporting people of determination and enabling them to access integrated, high-quality health services in line with global best practices.”
She added that providing comprehensive healthcare goes beyond developing infrastructure and services, extending to building an integrated health system that considers the needs of people of determination and ensures they can access services efficiently, with dignity and independence.
Al Sharif added: “The initiatives we are presenting at the exhibition reflect DHA’s ongoing efforts to embed the concept of inclusive healthcare, enhance the readiness of health facilities, and raise awareness of and compliance with approved standards, as well as standardise medical assessment procedures and reports. This helps ease the customer journey and speeds up access to services at levels that exceed expectations.”