The UAE has rolled out a new Emiratisation initiative aimed at specialised healthcare professions, encouraging greater participation of Emirati talent in key medical and healthcare-related roles across the sector.
UAE Introduces Emiratisation Requirement for Specialised Healthcare Positions.
Private healthcare providers across the UAE will now be required to dedicate a significant portion of their Emiratisation commitments to specialised medical professions following a newly introduced amendment by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE). The updated regulation is designed to strengthen the participation of Emirati professionals in key healthcare fields while supporting the broader national workforce development strategy.
Under the revised framework, private healthcare institutions must ensure that 50 per cent of their annual Emiratisation quota is fulfilled through the recruitment of UAE nationals into specialised healthcare positions. The remaining half of the target can be achieved through appointments in other qualified and skilled roles within the organisation.
The move represents a more focused approach to Emiratisation within the healthcare sector, encouraging employers to create opportunities for Emirati professionals in technical and specialised disciplines rather than concentrating solely on administrative or support positions. By directing part of the annual target toward healthcare-specific occupations, authorities aim to increase local participation in professions that play a critical role in the delivery of medical services.
The new requirement applies to private healthcare establishments operating across the country and forms part of ongoing efforts to enhance the representation of Emirati talent in strategic industries. Healthcare has been identified as one of the priority sectors due to its importance to national development, public wellbeing, and long-term sustainability.
Officials have indicated that the amendment is intended to ensure balanced workforce growth, enabling UAE citizens to contribute across a wider range of healthcare functions while also gaining valuable experience in specialised areas. The policy encourages facilities to invest in the recruitment, training, and professional development of Emirati employees in medical and healthcare-related careers.
Healthcare operators will be expected to review their workforce planning strategies to align with the updated requirements. This may involve creating additional pathways for Emirati professionals, expanding graduate recruitment programmes, and offering career progression opportunities that support long-term employment in the sector.
The amendment also seeks to strengthen workforce localisation within specialised healthcare disciplines where demand for qualified professionals continues to grow. As the healthcare sector expands and evolves, increasing Emirati participation in these roles is viewed as an important step toward building a more diversified and sustainable talent pool.
To provide organisations with sufficient time to adapt, compliance assessments under the new framework will begin in 2027. From the start of that year, MoHRE will monitor healthcare establishments to ensure they are meeting the revised Emiratisation obligations and achieving the required distribution between specialised healthcare positions and other skilled roles.
Authorities have clarified that organisations that fail to satisfy the updated requirements may face financial obligations. Healthcare facilities that do not meet the prescribed targets will be required to make financial contributions in accordance with the applicable regulations.
The introduction of compliance measures is intended to encourage organisations to proactively implement workforce strategies that support Emiratisation goals. By establishing clear expectations and accountability mechanisms, regulators aim to ensure consistent progress across the private healthcare sector.
Industry observers note that the amendment reflects a broader shift toward more targeted Emiratisation policies, where employment goals are increasingly linked to specific professions and sectors. Rather than focusing solely on overall hiring numbers, the updated approach places greater emphasis on developing local expertise in areas that are essential to the country’s future growth.
For healthcare providers, the changes highlight the importance of long-term talent planning and workforce development. Facilities will need to identify suitable opportunities for Emirati candidates and ensure that recruitment efforts align with the specialised role requirements outlined under the new regulation.
The policy is expected to contribute to the creation of additional career opportunities for UAE nationals interested in healthcare professions while supporting the country’s wider objectives of strengthening local talent participation across strategic industries. As implementation progresses, healthcare organisations will play a key role in helping achieve these goals by integrating Emirati professionals into both specialised medical positions and other skilled functions throughout their operations.
With compliance reviews scheduled to commence in 2027, private healthcare facilities have a transition period to prepare for the changes, adjust recruitment strategies, and ensure alignment with the updated Emiratisation framework established by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.
The UAE’s efforts to strengthen Emirati participation in the private healthcare sector have continued to gain momentum, with official figures showing substantial growth in national employment across the industry. By the end of 2025, more than 8,800 UAE citizens were working in private healthcare institutions throughout the country, reflecting the success of ongoing Emiratisation initiatives and the increasing attractiveness of healthcare careers among Emiratis.
Women accounted for a significant majority of this workforce, representing approximately 82 per cent of Emirati employees in the private healthcare sector. The figures highlight not only the growing involvement of nationals in healthcare professions but also the prominent role women are playing in supporting the country’s medical and healthcare services.
The latest amendment to Emiratisation requirements was introduced following extensive coordination between the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) and the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP). Authorities conducted a detailed assessment of employment patterns and workforce needs across the private healthcare industry before implementing the updated framework.
The review examined a wide range of healthcare occupations and workforce trends, helping policymakers identify opportunities to further increase the participation of UAE nationals in specialised and skilled healthcare professions. The resulting measures are intended to align workforce development goals with the long-term needs of the country’s expanding healthcare sector.
Under existing regulations, private-sector healthcare establishments employing 50 or more workers are already subject to annual Emiratisation targets. These organisations are required to increase the number of Emirati employees in skilled positions by 2 per cent each year, a requirement that mirrors obligations imposed on companies operating in other private-sector industries across the UAE.
The annual target is divided into two phases to ensure steady progress throughout the year. Employers are expected to achieve half of the required growth during the first six months, while the remaining portion must be completed during the second half of the year. This phased approach allows organisations to plan recruitment activities more effectively while maintaining consistent momentum toward Emiratisation objectives.
Officials have emphasised that healthcare institutions should not wait until the end of the year to address compliance requirements. Instead, organisations are encouraged to develop workforce plans early and implement recruitment strategies that support the achievement of annual targets in a structured manner.
Farida Al Ali, Assistant Undersecretary of National Talents at MoHRE, stressed the importance of proactive planning among healthcare providers. She urged private healthcare facilities covered by Emiratisation regulations to carefully evaluate their current employment levels and identify any gaps that may affect compliance with future requirements.
According to Al Ali, organisations that have already achieved the required 1 per cent increase in skilled Emirati employment during the first half of 2026 should now focus on fulfilling the next stage of their obligations. She encouraged employers to work toward achieving additional growth in healthcare-related positions during the second half of the year, ensuring that recruitment efforts remain aligned with the revised Emiratisation framework.
She highlighted the importance of integrating Emirati professionals into healthcare careers and encouraged employers to take advantage of available government-supported resources designed to facilitate recruitment.
One of the key tools available to employers is the Nafis programme, a national initiative created to enhance the competitiveness of Emirati talent and support greater participation in the private sector. Healthcare organisations were encouraged to advertise available positions through the Nafis platform, which connects employers with qualified Emirati candidates seeking career opportunities.
By using the platform, healthcare providers can access a growing pool of national talent across various medical, administrative, and technical disciplines. The programme helps organisations identify candidates whose qualifications match the requirements of specialised healthcare positions while supporting broader Emiratisation goals.
Al Ali also stressed the importance of ensuring that recruitment decisions remain consistent with approved healthcare profession standards and regulatory requirements. Employers are expected to fill positions in accordance with recognised professional classifications and licensing frameworks applicable within the healthcare sector.
Government officials believe that increasing Emirati participation in healthcare careers will provide long-term benefits not only for the workforce but also for the healthcare system as a whole. By developing local talent in specialised medical fields, the UAE aims to build a sustainable workforce capable of meeting future healthcare demands.
Abdullah Ahli, Acting Assistant Undersecretary for the Support Services Sector at the Ministry of Health and Prevention, described the latest decision as part of a coordinated national effort to expand opportunities for Emiratis within private healthcare institutions.
He noted that the policy reflects close collaboration between government entities responsible for labour market development and healthcare regulation. Through this partnership, authorities aim to create pathways that encourage greater involvement of UAE nationals across a broad range of healthcare professions.
According to Ahli, the requirement that half of annual Emiratisation targets be dedicated to healthcare-related roles forms an important element of a wider strategy to strengthen local representation within the sector. The initiative is intended to support the development of a highly skilled national workforce while creating sustainable employment opportunities in one of the country’s most important industries.
Healthcare remains a strategic sector due to its direct impact on public wellbeing, national development, and economic growth. As healthcare services continue to expand and become increasingly specialised, authorities view workforce localisation as a key priority for ensuring long-term resilience and sustainability.
The latest measures are expected to encourage healthcare providers to invest more heavily in talent development, training programmes, and career advancement opportunities for Emirati professionals. By creating clear pathways for progression, employers can help attract and retain national talent while contributing to broader workforce objectives.
Officials also emphasised that Emiratisation should not be viewed solely as a compliance requirement. Instead, it is increasingly being positioned as a strategic investment in the future of the UAE’s workforce. The goal is to create an environment where Emirati professionals can build meaningful careers, develop specialised expertise, and contribute to the continued advancement of critical sectors.
The government’s commitment to these objectives is reflected in the extension of the Nafis programme until 2040. The long-term continuation of the initiative demonstrates the importance placed on workforce localisation and the development of national talent across various industries.
Authorities have described the programme as a central component of the UAE’s strategy to empower citizens and strengthen their competitiveness in the private sector. Through financial incentives, career support services, training opportunities, and employer partnerships, Nafis seeks to create conditions that encourage greater participation by Emiratis in private-sector employment.
The extension of the programme also provides employers with long-term certainty, enabling organisations to plan recruitment and workforce development initiatives over an extended period. This stability is expected to support sustained progress toward Emiratisation targets while helping businesses integrate national talent into their operations more effectively.
Government officials believe that creating an attractive and supportive working environment is essential for the success of Emiratisation efforts. By improving career prospects, enhancing professional development opportunities, and promoting workplace stability, authorities aim to make private-sector employment increasingly appealing to UAE nationals.
The healthcare sector is particularly well positioned to benefit from these initiatives. As demand for healthcare services continues to rise and medical technologies evolve, there is growing need for skilled professionals across a wide range of disciplines. Expanding Emirati participation in these fields will help address workforce requirements while contributing to national development goals.
With more than 8,800 Emiratis already employed in private healthcare roles and women representing a substantial share of that workforce, officials view the sector as an important example of how targeted policies can support meaningful progress in workforce localisation.
As healthcare providers prepare for future compliance requirements, the focus will remain on strengthening recruitment efforts, expanding opportunities for national talent, and ensuring that Emiratisation objectives are achieved in a way that supports both economic growth and the long-term development of the healthcare industry.
The latest measures signal a continued commitment by UAE authorities to build a competitive, skilled, and sustainable national workforce capable of contributing to the country’s future success while meeting the evolving needs of its healthcare sector.
