Access to disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) for Multiple Sclerosis represents a critical healthcare equity challenge in the UAE, where geographic dispersion, socioeconomic variations, and healthcare infrastructure differences create significant barriers to optimal patient care. This policy dialogue, organized by the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government (MBRSG) in collaboration with the Dubai Health Authority and key healthcare stakeholders, examined how the UAE can systematically address disparities in DMT access across all seven emirates.
The dialogue brought together neurologists, healthcare administrators, insurance representatives, patient advocates, and policy makers to explore the multifaceted nature of MS care delivery, current implementation gaps, and strategic opportunities for improvement. Participants emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach that integrates geographic accessibility, socioeconomic considerations, insurance coverage optimization, and cross-emirate coordination.
Key findings indicate that, while the UAE has made significant investments in specialized neurological care, substantial disparities remain in access to DMT between urban centers, such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and more remote areas in the Northern Emirates. Insurance coverage inconsistencies, limited specialist availability outside major cities, and transportation barriers compound these challenges. The dialogue concluded with a consensus that transforming DMT accessibility requires coordinated policy intervention, enhanced infrastructure development, and innovative service delivery models supported by robust data analytics and cross-emirate collaboration.

Globally, engaging fathers in early diagnosis and care for young children with disabilities remains a challenge, including in the UAE. Despite efforts to support people of determination, cultural norms, workplace policies, and healthcare gaps often limit paternal involvement. Fathers play a critical role in early diagnosis and intervention, which significantly influence the developmental outcomes of children of determination (YCOD).
This policy brief builds on prior research, leveraging policy dialogues and secondary analyses of global and national studies to outline barriers and enablers to paternal engagement. It highlights the UAE’s strides, such as the National Policy for Empowering People of Determination, while identifying areas that remain unaddressed, including the need for targeted father-focused initiatives.
Key recommendations include the development of national guidelines for father engagement, enhancement of parental leave policies, specialized training for professionals, and public awareness campaigns to shift cultural norms around fatherhood. Establishing father support networks and centralized resource hubs is also emphasized to improve accessibility to services and information.
To foster an inclusive environment, governments must lead by implementing multi-sectoral strategies, advocating for father-friendly workplace policies, and ensuring adequate funding for programs that enable paternal involvement. These efforts can enhance developmental outcomes for children, strengthen family bonds, and promote societal inclusion for people of determination in the UAE.

The global workforce is facing unprecedented challenges due to escalating mental health concerns, significantly impacting productivity and retention. As technology and AI rapidly advance, it is crucial to evaluate their role in well-being solutions and measure their collective impact on workforce well-being and business outcomes. This complex issue necessitates a comprehensive understanding of the Dubai Well-being Strategy and global well-being initiatives.

Recent global events, including the COVID-19 pandemic, geopolitical tensions, and environmental changes, have triggered a surge in mental health struggles worldwide. The mental well-being of healthcare professionals, in particular, is critical for the health of their patients and the broader community. Alarmingly, studies indicate that health professionals are increasingly vulnerable to poor mental health and burnout, highlighting systemic failures in support. Despite the prevalence of mental health issues in regions like the UAE and New Zealand, 75% of those needing care do not seek help.

The UAE has witnessed a 14% increase in mental health disorders among healthcare professionals since the pandemic, while in New Zealand, the burnout rate for medical doctors stands at 21%. This global crisis demands a concerted effort to enhance psychological safety in workplaces. Anxiety levels, especially among younger generations, have reached unprecedented heights, emphasizing the urgent need for effective psychosocial interventions. Suicide has become the second leading cause of death for 15-29-year-olds, with female physicians in this age group facing a 2.2 times higher risk than the general population.

There is growing international recognition of the need to address mental health and well-being issues systematically. By measuring the impact of well-being on professional performance, we can identify and implement solutions to mitigate the effects of mental health challenges in the workplace, improving business performance, client/patient care, and overall organizational well-being.

In conclusion, addressing these challenges requires a multifaceted approach emphasizing person-centered care, improved accessibility, multi-sectoral collaboration, and increased awareness and resilience-building. This approach necessitates cooperation among various stakeholders, including healthcare providers, government agencies, employers, educational institutions, and community organizations. By implementing evidence-based policies and programs, we can create a more supportive environment that promotes mental health and well-being, allowing individuals to access necessary care and mentally and emotionally thrive.

​Maternal and Child Health policy guides the decisions on the type of MCH technologies and medical equipment needed to be developed and used, including how to plan and finance health services. There are three types of policy terms including the short-term, medium-term and long-term. In the UAE, the health policy-making and development is a 5 stage process cycle including policy preparation; policy formation; policy adoption and legitimization; policy implementation; and policy assessment and evaluation. Leadership and policy involvement in MCH assures the preparation of others with the skills, the knowledge, the will, the traits, the conviction, and a sense of purpose with the hope of improving the safety, health and well-being of mothers and children.