UAE Ministry of Health launches 2026-2031 climate health adaptation plan
In short
The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has launched the Health Sector Climate Adaptation Plan (2026-2031), a national plan to protect people from the health effects of climate change and keep health services available. It was launched during the Abu Dhabi Future Health Summit. Arabian Business's headline says the plan targets six risks from extreme heat, dust storms and climate change.
Read the full story 2 min read
The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has launched the Health Sector Climate Adaptation Plan (2026-2031), Emirates 24|7 reported from Abu Dhabi. The outlet describes it as a national plan to protect people from the growing health effects of climate change and to keep health services available when climate-related pressures rise. WAM, the Emirates News Agency, carried the announcement under the headline "MoHAP launches 2026–2031 climate health adaptation plan". Arabian Business headlined its report that the UAE announced a new health plan targeting six risks from extreme heat, dust storms and climate change. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
According to Emirates 24|7, hotter, more humid days raise the risk of heat exhaustion and heatstroke and add strain on the heart and lungs. Dust storms and poor air quality can trigger asthma and worsen existing conditions. Changing climate conditions can affect the spread of some infectious diseases, and extreme weather can disrupt hospitals, medical supplies and access to care, while also affecting mental wellbeing. The outlet says the plan moves the health system from responding to illness after it occurs to anticipating risks and preventing harm before it reaches the community. [ 3 ]
The launch took place during the Abu Dhabi Future Health Summit. Those present included Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, Minister of Health and Prevention; Dr. Alanoud Abdullah Alhaj, Assistant Undersecretary for the Green Development and Climate Change Sector at the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment; and Dr. Hussain Al Rand, Assistant Undersecretary for the Public Health Sector at MoHAP. The plan was developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, health authorities and specialised partners, and forms part of national efforts to strengthen integration between health and environmental policies. It is aligned with the UAE National Climate Change Adaptation Plan. [ 3 ]
Al Sayegh said the UAE places the protection of people and their quality of life at the heart of its health system, and that as the climate changes, the risks to health change with it. [ 3 ]
Why it matters
The plan, as Emirates 24|7 reports, moves the health system from responding to illness after it occurs to anticipating risks and preventing harm. It is described as part of national efforts to link health and environmental policies and is aligned with the UAE National Climate Change Adaptation Plan.
Key facts
- MoHAP launched the Health Sector Climate Adaptation Plan for 2026-2031. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The launch took place during the Abu Dhabi Future Health Summit. [ 3 ]
- Arabian Business's headline says the plan targets six risks from extreme heat, dust storms and climate change. [ 2 ]
- The plan was developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, health authorities and specialised partners. [ 3 ]
- The plan is aligned with the UAE National Climate Change Adaptation Plan. [ 3 ]
- Minister of Health and Prevention Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh attended the launch. [ 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- What the six targeted risks are. Only Arabian Business's headline mentions six risks; the available text does not list them.
- Specific measures, targets or funding under the plan. The available article text is cut off and the other documents are headlines only.