Imagine getting top-quality healthcare at a much lower cost. In Dubai, a busy city with a great healthcare system, this is possible with a health card. Dubai offers many healthcare options for people living there and visitors, and the health card is one of the best. This card lets you get medical services at public hospitals and clinics in Dubai. But having a health card isn’t just about getting healthcare—it also comes with many important benefits that can make your experience much better. In this article, you will discover the six main benefits of having a health card in Dubai and why it’s important for everyone there.
What is a Health Card?
A health card is an official card issued by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA). It lets people in Dubai get healthcare services at lower costs in public hospitals and clinics. The health card is especially helpful for those who don’t have private health insurance or need services not covered by their insurance.
1. Access to affordable healthcare
A big advantage of having a health card in Dubai is that it gives you access to cheaper healthcare services. With a health card, you can get treatment at public hospitals and clinics run by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) at much lower prices. This is very helpful for people who don’t have full private health insurance or whose insurance doesn’t cover some treatments.
- Public hospitals and clinics: With a health card, you can visit many public hospitals and clinics in Dubai, such as Rashid Hospital, Dubai Hospital, and Latifa Hospital.
- Lower costs: Check-ups, treatments, and even surgeries are much less expensive in public hospitals than in private hospitals. The Dubai Health Authority says that going to a public hospital can be up to 50% cheaper for people with a health card than for those who don’t have one.
2. Emergency medical services
Having a health card in Dubai ensures you can get emergency medical help when needed. A health card can help you receive quicker and better care in emergencies.
- Priority access: People with health cards often get treated first in emergencies, which means faster help in serious situations.
- Wide coverage: The health card is accepted at all DHA hospitals and clinics, so you can get care right away without worrying about being turned away.
3. Preventive healthcare services
A health card in Dubai doesn’t just help with treatments; it also focuses on preventing health problems. The DHA provides several preventive services to health cardholders to keep them healthy.
- Regular check-ups: Health cardholders can get regular check-ups and screenings at DHA clinics. These check-ups help find and prevent diseases early.
- Vaccinations: The health card also covers important vaccines for children and adults, protecting them from various diseases. The DHA offers a full vaccination program, including measles, mumps, rubella, and more vaccines.
4. Maternity and childcare services
For families, having a health card is very helpful for maternity and childcare needs.
- Maternity care: DHA hospitals offer pregnant women prenatal, delivery, and postnatal care. The costs for these services are much lower for health cardholders.
- Child health services: With a health card, children can get regular check-ups, vaccinations, and treatments for common illnesses from birth, helping them have a healthy start in life.
5. Specialist consultations and treatments
Another benefit of having a health card in Dubai is that it gives you access to specialist consultations and treatments at DHA hospitals.
- Specialist access: With a health card, you can see various specialists, such as heart doctors, skin doctors, and nerve doctors, without paying the high fees usually charged for specialist care.
- Comprehensive treatments: The health card also covers many treatments, from small surgeries to complex ones, at reduced rates.
6. Ease of registration and use
Getting a health card in Dubai is easy and can be done by all residents.
- Simple registration: You can apply for a health card through the DHA website or by visiting a DHA primary healthcare centre. The process is quick and needs very few documents.
- Wide acceptance: The health card is accepted at all DHA facilities, making it easy to get healthcare services whenever needed.
- Create the request: To start your health card application, visit a typing centre or use the online service here. Fill in the required information.
- Pay the service fee: Pay the service fees. The fee amount may differ depending on the application.
- Application verification: After you submit your application, it will be checked by a health registration officer.
- Approval notification: If your application is approved, you will get a text message and an email confirming it.
- Avail the service: After approval, you can use your health card.
- In case of rejection: If your application is not approved, you can modify your request and submit it again for another review.
Service channels:
You can apply for a health card in the UAE through these options:
- Website
- Typing centers
- Service provision centers
Documents required to apply for a Health Card in Dubai:
| Applicant type | Required documents |
| UAE citizens, GCC citizens, and UAE residents | . Valid Emirates ID |
| Husband/wife of a UAE citizen | . Valid residence permit (except for GCC citizens) . Valid Emirates ID for both the foreign and UAE citizen spouse . Valid passports for both spouses . Marriage contract or marriage continuity certificate (if over a year old, must be within 6 months) . Family book (for UAE citizen spouse) |
| Children of UAE female citizens | . Birth certificate- Valid Emirates ID and passport for the child . Valid Emirates ID and passport for the mother . Proof of non-marriage and non-work (for children over 18 years) . Family book “Khulasat Al Qaid” (for the mother) |
| Parents of UAE citizens | . Valid residence permit (except for GCC citizens) . Valid Emirates ID and passport for both parents . Dependency or kinship certificate . Valid Emirates ID and passport for the son . Birth certificate (son) . Family book “Khulasat Al Qaid” (for the son) |
| Newborns | . Birth certificate . Valid passports for both parents . Valid Emirates IDs for both parents . Valid residence permits for both parents |
Some general terms to keep in mind:
- Your ID must be valid when applying for a health card.
- An electronic health card is given, whether it’s new or being renewed, and it is linked to your Emirates ID. The health card’s validity is not tied to the Emirates ID’s expiry date.
- You can renew your health card one month before it expires.
- By logging in through UAE PASS, each user can make up to 10 transactions per year for themselves or family members.
- Health cards are valid for five years for citizens and GCC citizens but only for one year for UAE residents.
- Each person can only have one health card.
- The health card’s validity does not have to match the remaining validity of the Emirates ID, but the ID must be valid when applying for a health card.
What’s the bottom line?
Having a health card in Dubai is very important for residents. It gives you access to affordable, high-quality healthcare services. A health card ensures you are covered whether you need emergency help, specialist advice, or regular check-ups. Getting a health card helps you save money and feel safe, knowing you can get excellent healthcare whenever needed. Health insurance is also important because it covers more medical needs and treatments than a health card. It helps pay for hospital stays, surgeries, and special treatments, protecting you from unexpected medical costs. To ensure you have the best protection, consider exploring health card options and health insurance to find what suits your needs.
To learn more about getting a health card in the UAE, check out our guide.
If you want to learn everything about health cards and how they can benefit you, read our detailed article here.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Q. What are the benefits of an Emirates Health Card?
An Emirates Health Card in the UAE allows people to use public healthcare services at a low cost. With this card, you can get medical care at government hospitals and clinics by paying less than usual.
Q. Who can get a health card in Dubai?
UAE citizens, GCC citizens and UAE residents in Dubai, including expatriates, can apply for a health card.
Q. How long does the health card last?
The health card is usually valid for one year (for UAE residents) and can be renewed yearly.
Q. Can I use my health card at private hospitals?
You can only use the health card at public hospitals and clinics the Dubai Health Authority runs.
Q. What should I do if I lose my health card?
If you lose your health card, you can apply on the DHA website or visit a DHA healthcare centre to get a new one.
