The evolution of modern health care in the United Arab Emirates can be traced to 1960, when Sheikhs Shakhbut and Zayed of Abu Dhabi visited an American mission in Muscat and were so impressed by the work being done that they decided to invite the couple in charge of that mission, Pat and Marian Kennedy to open a clinic in Al Ain. The clinic was finally opened in the same year in November and was officially named as the Oasis Hospital and was unofficially known as the “Kennedy Hospital” to local people. This also led to opening of a new hospital, the Central Hospital in 1968 by the then ruler of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Zayed. Gradually, the private sector also started making contributions.
The U.A.E healthcare sector is expanding rapidly to meet both the evolving needs of a growing population and the nation’s ambition to become a regional medical tourism hub. The government has taken on a series of long-term initiatives to bring about a balanced growth and combine sustainable growth in this sector with looking after the population's immediate needs. Three public-sector institutions play a major role in U.A.E. healthcare provision: Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA), Dubai Health Authority (DHA) and the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP).
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