New Policies and Initiatives in Dubai to Enhance Quality of Life
His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council, has approved a series of new policies aimed at improving healthcare, family welfare, education, and smart building standards in Dubai. This initiative aligns with the Dubai Social Agenda 33 and the Dubai Economic Agenda D33.
During a recent meeting at Emirates Towers, attended by notable leaders including His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed and His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed, Sheikh Hamdan emphasized the commitment to putting people at the center of all development plans. He stated, “Our policies are designed to support individuals, families, and the wider society, which represent fundamental pillars to a more sustainable and inclusive future.”
Key Focus Areas
Sheikh Hamdan outlined several key focus areas for the new policies:
- Healthcare Improvement: Enhancing access to quality healthcare with plans for new hospitals and primary healthcare centers.
- Empowering Emirati Students: Ensuring Emirati students in private education receive quality schooling and increasing the number of Emirati teachers.
- Family Welfare: Establishing the Unified Centre for Family Care to provide integrated services for family support.
- Smart Buildings Policy: Promoting sustainable building practices to improve quality of life in urban settings.
Expanded Healthcare Network
The Dubai Health Authority will lead a plan to enhance the city’s healthcare network, which includes the development of three new hospitals and 33 primary healthcare centers by 2033. Priority will be given to newly developed residential areas such as Al Yalayis, Al Awir, and Hind City.
This initiative will also involve public-private partnerships and seek to improve insurance coverage for mental health services while attracting medical talent.
Policy on Empowering Emirati Students
The new Policy on Empowering Emirati Students in Private Education, led by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), aims to ensure that all Emirati students attend schools rated ‘Good’ or above, while also achieving over 90% parental satisfaction. The policy will enhance the education system in several ways:
- Implementation of school improvement programmes.
- Flexible education models to cater to the specific needs of Emirati students.
- Expansion of the Dubai Distinguished Students Programme (DDSP) and measures to increase Emirati teachers.
Unified Centre for Family Care
The Unified Centre for Family Care, developed by the Community Development Authority, will provide integrated services such as family counselling, child protection, and custody management. This center emphasizes the importance of family in society and aims to support national values.
Dubai Smart Buildings Policy
The Dubai Smart Buildings Policy, spearheaded by Dubai Municipality, sets standards for smart buildings that focus on energy efficiency and sustainability. Key goals include:
- A 25% reduction in power consumption.
- A 15% reduction in water use.
- A 20% reduction in operational costs.
This policy is designed to support Dubai’s Integrated Energy Strategy 2030 and the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 Initiative, further fostering innovation and attracting investment into Dubai’s real estate sector.
