Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City and National Media Authority unite to advance public health literacy across the UAE

A significant partnership between the emirate's leading academic hospital and the nation's media authority signals a new chapter in accessible, expert-led health education for all Emiratis.

The convergence of medical excellence and media reach has long held the promise of transforming how societies understand and engage with health. At the Abu Dhabi Future Health Summit 2026, that promise took tangible form when Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City and the National Media Authority formalised a collaboration designed to bring trusted medical expertise into homes and communities across the United Arab Emirates.

The Memorandum of Understanding reflects a shared conviction: that informed citizens make wiser choices about their wellbeing. Dr. Marwan Al Kaabi, Chief Executive Officer at Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City, articulated this philosophy with clarity. “Better health begins with giving people the knowledge and confidence to make informed decisions about their wellbeing,” he observed, emphasising the hospital’s role as the only Academic JCI Accredited facility in the Emirates. Through this partnership, the institution’s specialised expertise in complex and oncology care, as we reported in Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City’s recognition among the world’s finest for oncology, will reach audiences far beyond the hospital’s walls.

The collaboration will unfold through joint health education campaigns and public awareness initiatives distributed via national media channels. These efforts will emphasise prevention, early intervention and the cultivation of health literacy among individuals and families. Ibrahim Abdul Latif Al Mosa, Executive Director of the Support Services Sector at the National Media Authority, underscored the symmetry of the partnership: “This collaboration highlights the important role between the national media and healthcare sectors in raising health awareness and ensuring that reliable medical information reaches communities across the UAE.”

The timing speaks to evolving priorities within the region’s healthcare landscape. Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City has recently distinguished itself through multiple achievements: its prestigious Magnet Recognition from the American Nurses Credentialing Center, recognising nursing excellence, and its rapid advancement in specialised care delivery. These institutional strengths now become assets for broader public education.

The partnership articulates a vision of healthcare that extends beyond treatment into empowerment. By leveraging the National Media Authority’s extensive reach and Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City’s clinical authority, the initiative seeks to establish a more connected, prevention-focused culture of wellbeing across the nation.

What it means for Abu Dhabi

For residents of the emirate, this collaboration promises greater access to credible medical information through trusted national media platforms. Rather than navigating the fragmented landscape of health information online, Emiratis will encounter expert-led content grounded in clinical evidence and delivered through familiar channels. This represents a deliberate shift toward prevention and proactive health management, potentially reducing the burden of advanced disease on healthcare systems.

For Abu Dhabi’s healthcare ecosystem, the partnership reinforces the emirate’s position as a hub for medical excellence and innovation. By channelling the expertise of leading institutions like Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City through national platforms, Abu Dhabi extends its influence on health literacy and wellbeing across the entire nation, strengthening the cultural foundation upon which healthcare decisions rest.

Source: WAM