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Children's health in Abu Dhabi

In Abu Dhabi, medicine feels closer to France than to London: you choose your paediatrician, you consult without going through a family doctor, and the private hospitals are of international standard. The difference lies elsewhere: everything runs through the mandatory health insurance tied to the residence visa, and through your insurer's network of clinics. Here is how it works, with verified addresses and the French-speaking practitioners from the two public lists.

Verified on 30 October 2026

How healthcare works in Abu Dhabi

A two-tier system: the public SEHA network and large private hospitals, all regulated by the Department of Health Abu Dhabi, and mandatory health insurance that the employer takes out for the employee and their family. No carte Vitale: the insurance card opens every door.

Good to know

  • Health insurance is mandatory and a condition for issuing or renewing the residence permit. In Abu Dhabi, the employer or sponsor must cover the employee, one spouse and up to three children under 18; beyond that, dependants are insured at your expense. Source
  • The public SEHA network (Abu Dhabi Health Services, PureHealth group) includes Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, Corniche Hospital and Al Rahba Hospital, plus the neighbourhood SEHA Clinics; alongside, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Burjeel, Mediclinic, NMC and Danat Al Emarat make up the private offer. Source
  • There is no compulsory family doctor: you book directly with the paediatrician or specialist, as long as the clinic is in your insurer's network. The clinic bills the insurer, you only pay the co-payment set by your plan.
  • Malaffi, the emirate's health information exchange, links Abu Dhabi's public and private providers in real time: your child's record follows from one hospital to the next. Source
  • The residence visa requires a medical fitness test for everyone aged 18 and over, spouse included; minor children are exempt. Source
  • The French foreign ministry reminds that French or French-speaking doctors practise in many medical centres in the UAE, but the embassy never covers medical costs. Check the maternity, dental and repatriation cover of your plan. Source

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Choosing a paediatrician and baby check-ups

No registration form as with the NHS: you choose a paediatrician in your insurer's network, often in a neighbourhood clinic, and you return there for check-ups and vaccines. The local health record is the Al Hosn app.

Good to know

  • At the first visit, bring the child's Emirates ID (or passport while the card is pending), the insurance card, the French health record and its vaccination pages: the paediatrician copies across doses given in France and adjusts the schedule.
  • National programme vaccines are mandatory from birth to Grade 11 and free at government facilities; without an Emirates ID, a birth notification or certificate and a parent's ID are enough, and the previous vaccination card is requested. Source
  • The Al Hosn app keeps the vaccination record of each child under 18 and lets you share it securely, for example with the school. Source
  • In the public sector, the SEHA Clinics see children without a mandatory prior appointment: the Al Mushrif children's specialty centre opens daily from 7am to 11pm, Al Bateen and Saadiyat 24/7, with booking by WhatsApp, on 800 450 or in the SEHA app. Source
  • Check-ups follow the vaccination appointments of the Emirati schedule; ask the paediatrician from the start for a growth chart and a catch-up plan if you arrive between two doses.

Addresses

  • SEHA Clinics Al Mushrif Children's Specialty Center

    Paediatrician

    Al Mushrif

    Public-network paediatric centre, open daily 7am to 11pm, a stone's throw from the Lycée Louis-Massignon; national programme vaccines and consultations.

    Website Source

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Emergencies and children's hospitals

998 for an ambulance, 999 for the police: two numbers to memorise. The big hospitals have 24/7 emergency departments and two of them a dedicated children's emergency unit, with paediatric emergency physicians.

Good to know

  • Emergency numbers are the same nationwide: 998 for an ambulance, 999 for the police, 997 for civil defence. Source
  • Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, the public hospital in the city centre, houses one of the largest dedicated paediatric emergency departments in the region, open 24/7 for infants, children and adolescents. Source
  • Burjeel Medical City, in Mohamed Bin Zayed City, has a dedicated 24/7 paediatric emergency unit staffed by paediatric emergency physicians, and Level I trauma centre status. Source
  • Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi sees patients of all ages in its emergency department, children included, but has no paediatric inpatient care: a child is stabilised there then referred elsewhere. Source
  • At A&E, bring the child's Emirates ID or passport, the insurance card and current medicines; for a minor emergency (fever, cut), the 24/7 SEHA Clinics in Al Bateen and Saadiyat spare you the wait at the big hospitals. Source

Addresses

  • SEHA Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC), urgences pédiatriques

    Emergency

    Al Karamah Street, Al Manhal

    The big public hospital in the city centre: 24/7 emergency department with a dedicated paediatric service, trauma care, full paediatrics department.

    Website Source

  • Burjeel Medical City, urgences pédiatriques

    Emergency

    Mohamed Bin Zayed City

    Dedicated 24/7 paediatric emergency unit, Level I trauma centre, paediatric intensive care on site; handy for Khalifa City, Al Raha and Mohamed Bin Zayed City.

    Website Source

  • Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC)

    Emergency

    24/7 emergency department for all ages, with the emirate's only burns and trauma centre; the team is trained in paediatric emergencies, from respiratory to poisoning.

    Website Source

  • Danat Al Emarat Hospital for Women & Children

    Hospital

    Rabdan, Bawabat Abu Dhabi

    Private hospital dedicated to women and children, open 24/7: walk-in paediatric care at any hour, from birth to 18, and a large neonatal intensive care unit.

    Website Source

  • Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, urgences

    Emergency

    24/7 emergency department of the capital's most renowned hospital; children are treated and stabilised there, then referred, as the hospital has no paediatric inpatient unit.

    Website Source

  • Mediclinic Airport Road Hospital

    Hospital

    Airport Road, à côté de Zayed Sports City

    Private hospital of the Mediclinic group with a 24-hour emergency department, paediatrics and maternity; several French-speaking doctors from the embassy's list consult there.

    Website Source

  • NMC Royal Hospital Khalifa City

    Hospital

    16th Street, Khalifa City A

    The mainland's private referral hospital: 24/7 emergency department, 24/7 paediatric outpatient clinic, 200 beds, neonatal intensive care and maternity.

    Website Source

  • SEHA Clinics Al Bateen et Saadiyat

    Al Bateen et Saadiyat

    Two public health centres open 24/7, for minor emergencies and out-of-hours consultations, with paediatrics.

    Website Source

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French-speaking doctors, dentists and therapists

Two public lists exist: the French embassy's list of French or French-speaking doctors and allied professionals, updated in May 2026, and Dubai Madame's Abu Dhabi DoctoList, published in September 2026 and more extensive. Both are provided for information only, without engaging their authors, and the choice of practitioner is free. We list the practitioners most useful to families; all work privately, in clinics contracted with the insurers.

Good to know

  • The embassy's list covers French-speaking GPs, paediatricians, a paediatric surgeon, gynaecologists, psychiatrists, a psychologist, a midwife, dentists, an orthodontist, a chiropractor and a physiotherapist in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain; it also names two medical advisers to the post. Source
  • Dubai Madame's Abu Dhabi DoctoList sorts practitioners by speciality, from GPs to speech therapists and psychomotor therapists; professionals register through a form and each entry is checked before publication, but the list is not exhaustive. Source
  • Two addresses gather many French speakers: the Harley Street Medical Centre in Marina Village (family medicine, paediatrics, gynaecology, dental, physio) and the American Center for Psychiatry and Neurology (psychiatrists, psychologists, paediatric neurologists, speech therapists). Source
  • Before booking, check that the clinic is in your insurer's network: the same French-speaking doctor may be covered at one facility and not at another.

Addresses

  • Dr Christine Biousse

    General practitioner

    Acacia Medical Center, 15 Al Karama Street

    General practitioner and nutrition, medical adviser to the French embassy.

    Languages spoken : FR, EN

    Website Source

  • Dr Léa Semaan

    General practitioner

    Harley Street Medical Centre, Marina Village

    Consultant family physician, adults and children.

    Languages spoken : FR, EN

    Website Source

  • Dr May Sayegh

    Paediatrician

    Harley Street Medical Centre, Marina Village

    Paediatrician specialising in neonatology.

    Languages spoken : FR, EN

    Website Source

  • Dr Joanne Saade

    Paediatrician

    Harley Street Medical Centre, Marina Village

    Paediatrician, general paediatrics and adolescent medicine.

    Languages spoken : FR, EN

    Website Source

  • Dr Ghiath Sandouk

    Paediatrician

    Wellness Center

    Paediatrician and allergist.

    Languages spoken : FR, EN

    Website Source

  • Dr Selma Ben Amara

    Paediatrician

    Emirates Hospital

    Consultant paediatrician.

    Languages spoken : FR, EN

    Source

  • Dr Mohamed Imad Eddin Naanae

    Paediatrician

    Mediclinic Al Mamora

    Paediatrician, Mediclinic Al Mamora clinic.

    Languages spoken : FR, EN

    Website Source

  • Dr Sleiman Gebran

    NMC Royal Hospital, Khalifa City

    Consultant paediatric surgeon.

    Languages spoken : FR, EN

    Website Source

  • Laetitia Urvoy

    Psychologist

    Wonderful Minds for Rehabilitation and Training, Al Karamah

    Psychologist for children, adolescents and adults, on both lists.

    Languages spoken : FR, EN

    Website Source

  • Dr Asma Ben Houidi

    Psychologist

    American Center for Psychiatry and Neurology

    Psychiatrist.

    Languages spoken : FR, EN

    Source

  • Wonderful Minds, orthophonistes francophones

    Al Karamah

    Rehabilitation centre with three French-speaking speech therapists (Caline Fattal, Raniya Naanai, Sabine Mokbel) and a psychomotor therapist (Maria Bchara): invaluable for bilingual children.

    Languages spoken : FR, EN

    Website Source

  • Dr Raya Chelli

    Dentist

    Swedish Medical Centre, Villa A1, Al Awasir Street, Al Khalidiya

    Dentist.

    Languages spoken : FR, EN

    Source

  • Dr Skander Chelli

    Dentist

    Smile Dental Clinic, Baynunah Tower 1, Corniche Road

    Dentist.

    Languages spoken : FR, EN

    Source

  • Dr Sana Sellami

    Dentist

    Ibn Sina Medical Center, Khalidiya

    General dentist.

    Languages spoken : FR, EN

    Source

  • Dr Fabien Depardieu

    Dentist

    Bella Medical Center, Marfa Al Bateen Street

    Orthodontist.

    Languages spoken : FR, EN

    Source

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Pregnancy and maternity units

In Abu Dhabi you give birth in large hospitals, public or private, with an obstetrician you choose from the start of the pregnancy; midwives support rather than lead. Check very quickly what your insurance covers in maternity, waiting periods are common.

Good to know

  • Private-sector maternity leave is 60 days, 45 on full pay and 15 on half pay, and can be requested up to 30 days before the due date; it is topped up by 5 working days of paid parental leave, for mother or father, within six months of the birth, then paid nursing breaks for six months. Source
  • Corniche Hospital, in the public SEHA network, has been the emirate's referral centre for women and newborns for over forty-five years: low and high-risk pregnancies, and the country's largest Level III neonatal intensive care unit, with 64 cots. Source
  • On the French side, a birth is declared at the Dubai consulate general within 30 days, or transcribed afterwards, free of charge and by post, from the Emirati birth certificate ('Live Birth Notification' in Abu Dhabi) legalised by the UAE foreign ministry: essential for the baby's passport. Source
  • The public lists include several French-speaking obstetrician-gynaecologists and a French midwife in Al Bateen, who offers antenatal preparation and birth support alongside hospital care. Source

Addresses

  • Corniche Hospital (SEHA)

    Maternity

    Al Zahiyah

    The capital's historic public maternity hospital: low-risk obstetrics and obstetric medicine, clinics for complicated pregnancies, 64-cot neonatal intensive care, over 300,000 births.

    Website Source

  • Danat Al Emarat Hospital for Women & Children

    Maternity

    Rabdan, Bawabat Abu Dhabi

    Sought-after private maternity unit: low and high-risk pregnancies, midwifery clinic, lactation consultants, neonatal intensive care able to care for over a hundred babies a month.

    Website Source

  • NMC Royal Hospital Khalifa City

    Maternity

    16th Street, Khalifa City A

    Obstetrics and gynaecology, midwifery services and neonatal intensive care, in the mainland's private hospital; handy for Khalifa City, Al Raha and Yas.

    Website Source

  • Mediclinic Airport Road Hospital, maternité

    Maternity

    Airport Road, à côté de Zayed Sports City

    Antenatal classes and maternity tours; an extension with upgraded maternity, neonatal and paediatric facilities is announced.

    Website Source

  • Dr Annie Rousset

    Al Hosn One Day Surgery Center, Al Sahel Tower, Corniche Road

    French gynaecologist on the embassy's list.

    Languages spoken : FR, EN

    Source

  • Dr Nada Mothy Saksouk

    CosmeSurge, angle des rues 16 et 33

    Obstetrician-gynaecologist on the embassy's list.

    Languages spoken : FR, EN

    Website Source

  • Najat Ould Hadj, sage-femme

    NativaCare, Bateen Tower, Hirdiyah Street, Al Bateen

    French-speaking midwife on the embassy's list: antenatal preparation, birth support and questions in French alongside hospital care.

    Languages spoken : FR, EN

    Website Source

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Pharmacies and medicines

Pharmacies are everywhere, in malls and clinics, and several open 24/7. Many everyday products are sold without a prescription, but the names change: look for paracetamol, not Doliprane.

Good to know

  • To find a 24-hour pharmacy, the TAMM portal has a healthcare provider directory: 'Get medical treatment' service, facility type 'Pharmacy', then the 'Open 24 hours' filter; the Department of Health also publishes the list of licensed facilities. Source
  • The big hospitals' pharmacies never close: Danat Al Emarat's, for example, opens 24/7 and delivers prescriptions to your door through the Wasfati service. Source
  • Equivalents: Panadol or Adol (paracetamol) for Doliprane, Brufen or Nurofen (ibuprofen) for Advil, saline nasal drops for sérum physiologique, teething gel for teeth. Brands are often British or Gulf ones; Spasfon and many French syrups have no equivalent, bring a stock.
  • A French prescription is not dispensed as such: for regular treatment, have it renewed by a local doctor. In your luggage, carry only what is necessary, in the original packaging, with a prescription in international non-proprietary names (INN), and check before departure that each medicine is authorised in the UAE. Source
  • Some medicines common in France are controlled substances in the UAE: if your child is on long-term treatment (ADHD, epilepsy, anxiety), ask your French doctor for a detailed prescription and an alternative, and check with your hospital's pharmacy on arrival. Source

Addresses

  • Pharmacie 24h/24 de Danat Al Emarat

    Pharmacy

    Rabdan, Bawabat Abu Dhabi

    Open day and night in the women and children's hospital, baby products, home delivery of prescriptions.

    Website Source

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Vaccines: how the schedule differs from France

The Emirati schedule is fuller than the French one: BCG and hepatitis B from birth, chickenpox, and boosters organised at school up to secondary level. Nothing is charged in the public sector, and the Al Hosn app keeps track of every dose.

Good to know

  • The government mandates vaccines from birth up to Grade 11 (the equivalent of French première), and the national programme is free at government facilities, whatever your nationality; an appointment may be required depending on the health authority. Source
  • The Department of Health's childhood list covers BCG, hepatitis B, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, Hib, pneumococcal, measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox, polio and rotavirus; the vaccination record of under-18s is available in Al Hosn. Source
  • Three differences from France: BCG is given to all newborns (in France, only to at-risk babies), hepatitis B starts at birth, and chickenpox is part of the schedule whereas it is not in the French infant schedule. Source
  • At school, the authorities publish the list of vaccines expected per grade: in Grade 1 (ages 5 to 6) chickenpox, DTaP-polio and MMR; in Grade 8 the two HPV doses for girls; between Grades 10 and 12 the Tdap booster and meningococcal. A child arriving mid-way follows a catch-up schedule with their paediatrician. Source
  • Where to vaccinate: free at the public SEHA Clinics, or at your paediatrician's with the insurance. Bring the French health record so that doses already given are recorded and the schedule adjusted. Source
  • For a long stay, the French foreign ministry recommends being up to date with the French schedule (diphtheria, tetanus, polio, whooping cough, measles) and considering hepatitis A and typhoid depending on living conditions, rabies for young children in rural areas, and hepatitis B for prolonged stays. Source

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These landmarks do not replace the advice of a health professional. In an emergency, call the local emergency number shown above.

A place has closed, something has changed? Tell us: the mums of Abu Dhabi will thank you.

Sources for this page

The public pages these landmarks come from. The official website always prevails.

  1. 1 Ambassade de France aux Émirats arabes unis, médecins et professionnels paramédicaux français ou francophones
  2. 2 Dubai Madame, DoctoList des médecins francophones à Abu Dhabi
  3. 3 Portail u.ae, l'assurance santé
  4. 4 Portail u.ae, vaccination des enfants
  5. 5 Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, urgences 24h/24
  6. 6 Burjeel Medical City, médecine d'urgence
  7. 7 SEHA, Corniche Hospital
  8. 8 Portail u.ae, congés dans le secteur privé

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