Abu Dhabi, UAE – The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has launched the Health Sector Climate Adaptation Plan 2026–2031, a national framework to protect communities from the health impacts of rising temperatures, poor air quality and other climate risks. The plan was unveiled during the Abu Dhabi Future Health Summit.
Developed with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, health authorities and specialist partners, the plan treats climate change as a public health issue as well as an environmental one. It aims to shift the health system from treating illness after it happens towards anticipating and preventing harm.
Six priority areas
- Heat-related illnesses
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Respiratory diseases linked to dust and air quality
- Vector-borne diseases, such as mosquito-borne illness
- Water- and food-borne diseases
- Mental health
Practical measures
- Early warning systems for extreme heat and air quality
- Surveillance of climate-sensitive diseases and better integration of health and environmental data
- Climate-resilient healthcare facilities and medical supply chains
- Coordinated emergency plans to keep essential care running
- Protection for the most climate-vulnerable groups, plus workforce training and specialised research
Aligned with national and global commitments
The plan aligns with the UAE National Climate Change Adaptation Plan, supports the COP28 UAE Declaration on Climate and Health and the Sustainable Development Goals, and contributes to the “We the UAE 2031” vision. The ministry says the next phase will set precise indicators, with success measured by how much harm is prevented.
Source: Gulf News.
