UAE Integrative Medicine Council Charts Course to Safeguard Traditional Emirati Healing Practices

As the nation positions itself at the forefront of blending ancient wisdom with modern medicine, the Council moves forward with scientific documentation of traditional knowledge and integration into the healthcare system.

The UAE Integrative Medicine Council has advanced its ambitious agenda to weave traditional healing practices into the fabric of the nation’s healthcare system while preserving the medicinal knowledge that has passed through Emirati families across generations. During its third meeting of 2026, chaired by Sheikha Salama bint Tahnoon bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, the Council reviewed progress across initiatives that honour both scientific rigour and cultural heritage.

Four leading healthcare providers have signalled their readiness to introduce integrative medicine services, encompassing Ayurveda, Hijama, acupuncture, chiropractic care and traditional Chinese medicine. The expansion of these modalities within established healthcare facilities represents a significant step towards accessibility, grounded in evidence and clinical oversight.

At the heart of the Council’s work lies a delicate mission: the scientific documentation of Emirati traditional medicine as a foundation for its codification. This includes development of a preliminary framework for Al Mas’h, an ancient practice woven into the region’s healing traditions. The effort transcends mere academic exercise. It safeguards knowledge carried through generations whilst establishing a scientific basis upon which traditional practices can be rigorously evaluated and understood.

Education and research form the pillars supporting this transformation. The Council has engaged with five local academic partners to nurture education and professional development, whilst mapping existing research and capabilities across the UAE. As we reported in October, eight strategic partnerships with academic and healthcare institutions were established to advance evidence-based integrative medicine and research.

Sheikha Salama articulated the Council’s vision: positioning the United Arab Emirates as a global reference for integrative medicine by converging scientific evidence, clinical expertise and traditional knowledge. Progress throughout 2026, she noted, represents an essential stepping stone towards this aspiration. Cooperation across sectors is building the frameworks necessary to integrate these practices responsibly whilst building professional capabilities and advancing scientific investigation.

The Council also reviewed four commitments announced at the Al Shifaa Summit for Integrative Medicine, which align national priorities with the World Health Organisation’s Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034. These commitments encompass policy development and regulatory frameworks; strengthening scientific research and innovation; supporting education and healthcare workforce development; and expanding international cooperation and knowledge exchange. The Al Shifaa Summit, held in Abu Dhabi in October, examined traditional Emirati medicine alongside cutting-edge research, reflecting the nation’s integrated approach to healing and wellness.

What it means for Abu Dhabi

The Council’s progress demonstrates the UAE’s commitment to honouring its heritage whilst advancing healthcare innovation. By documenting and preserving Emirati traditional medicine according to scientific principles, the nation safeguards its cultural legacy whilst enabling these practices to be rigorously evaluated and responsibly integrated into modern healthcare. This balance between tradition and evidence-based medicine positions Abu Dhabi and the wider Emirates as a model for nations seeking to revive and validate ancestral healing knowledge.

For healthcare practitioners and patients alike, the integration of these practices into established facilities under professional oversight and scientific scrutiny promises expanded choices grounded in both clinical evidence and cultural wisdom. The work to develop policies, regulatory frameworks and clinical standards ensures that integrative medicine services maintain the highest standards of public health and quality whilst remaining guided by scientific principles.

Source: WAM