Dubai ruler issues decree appointing Malek Sultan Al Malek to head Healthcare City Authority
In short
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, issued Decree No. (27) of 2026 appointing Malek Sultan Al Malek as Chairman of the Dubai Healthcare City Authority. The decree takes effect from its date of issuance and is to be published in the Official Gazette. The appointment was reported by the state news agency and UAE outlets on 2 October 2026.
Why it matters
The decree places a new chairman at the head of the authority that oversees Dubai Healthcare City, a healthcare free zone, with effect from the date of issuance. Because the appointment was made by the Ruler of Dubai and is to appear in the Official Gazette, it takes formal legal effect in Dubai. The documents do not state who previously held the position or what changes in policy may follow.
Key facts
- Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum issued Decree No. (27) of 2026 in his capacity as Ruler of Dubai. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- The decree appoints Malek Sultan Al Malek as Chairman of the Dubai Healthcare City Authority. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- The decree is effective from its date of issuance. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- The decree will be published in the Official Gazette. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum is Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Decree No. (27) of 2026, issued by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum as Ruler of Dubai, appoints Malek Sultan Al Malek as Chairman of the Dubai Healthcare City Authority. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- The decree is effective from its date of issuance and will be published in the Official Gazette. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum holds the offices of Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE alongside his role as Ruler of Dubai. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
Still unclear
- Whether Malek Sultan Al Malek replaces a previous chairman or what the term of the appointment is. No document names a predecessor or states a term, so the change in post-holder cannot be established from the coverage.
- The specific time the decree was issued. The documents give only the date of issuance, 2 October 2026, with no clock time; the times available are the outlets' publication times.
- What the appointment means for the operations or policies of the Dubai Healthcare City Authority. The documents report the appointment only and give no details on mandate, strategy or next steps.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Emirates 24|7 publishes the decree appointing Malek Sultan Al Malek as Chairman of the Dubai Healthcare City Authority. [ 1 ]
- The state news agency WAM publishes the decree text, dated 2 October 2026. [ 2 ]
- Aletihad publishes the decree, crediting WAM. [ 3 ]
- Gulf News publishes the appointment, leading on Malek Sultan Al Malek being named chairman. [ 4 ]