Ministry of Health and Prevention unveils comprehensive climate adaptation strategy for 2026–2031
The UAE's health sector launches a pioneering five-year plan to safeguard public health against the expanding effects of climate change, positioning preventive care at the forefront of national health policy.
The Ministry of Health and Prevention has unveiled the Health Sector Climate Adaptation Plan for 2026–2031, a transformative national initiative designed to protect communities from the mounting health consequences of climate change whilst ensuring the uninterrupted delivery of essential healthcare services during periods of climatic stress.
Recognising that climate change represents far more than an environmental challenge, the plan addresses the profound health implications arising from intensifying heat and humidity, dust storms, and increasingly erratic weather patterns. Rising temperatures elevate the risk of heat-related illnesses and place considerable strain upon cardiovascular systems, whilst deteriorating air quality exacerbates respiratory conditions. Shifting climatic conditions may alter the distribution of certain infectious diseases, and extreme meteorological events can disrupt hospital operations, medical supply chains and community access to care, whilst simultaneously affecting psychological wellbeing.
Launched during the Abu Dhabi Future Health Summit in the presence of Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, Minister of Health and Prevention, the plan represents a fundamental philosophical shift within the health system. Rather than responding reactively to illness after it manifests within communities, the strategy anticipates emerging risks and implements preventive interventions before health consequences materialise.
Developed collaboratively with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, health authorities and specialised partners, the plan embodies the integration of health and environmental policy frameworks and aligns with the UAE National Climate Change Adaptation Plan. Minister Al Sayegh emphasised that guided by the directives of the nation’s wise leadership, the UAE prioritises the protection and wellbeing of its people within its health system. He stated that as climatic conditions evolve, corresponding health risks must be anticipated and communities protected before populations experience illness.
The plan addresses six priority areas: heat-related illnesses including heat exhaustion and heatstroke; cardiovascular diseases resulting from extreme heat exposure; respiratory diseases linked to dust and air quality; vector-borne diseases transmitted by insects whose patterns shift with climatic change; waterborne and foodborne diseases increasing with elevated temperatures; and mental health impacts arising from extreme weather disruption.
Implementation priorities include establishing early heat and air-quality warning systems enabling protective action before exposure causes harm, alongside preparing healthcare facilities with resilient medical supply chains and coordinated emergency protocols ensuring service continuity during disruptions. The strategy emphasises developing surveillance systems for climate-sensitive diseases and improving integration of health and environmental information to detect early risk indicators.
Dr. Hussain Al Rand, Assistant Undersecretary for the Public Health Sector at MoHAP, emphasised that the plan transforms climate-risk assessments into practical protective measures, encompassing professional skill development, expanded specialised research, enhanced emergency preparedness and increased healthcare facility resilience. Upcoming implementation phases will prioritise coordination among relevant institutions and systematic indicator-based implementation, ensuring service continuity, protecting vulnerable populations and strengthening nationwide health response effectiveness.
The plan contributes substantially to the objectives of the ‘We the UAE 2031’ vision, reflecting the nation’s commitment to a health system that safeguards populations from the evolving health effects of climate change.
Source: WAM (https://www.wam.ae/en/article/3csjtim6-mohap-launches-2026%E2%80%932031-climate-health-adaptation)