Skip to main content
MumExpat

Health

Children's health in Dubai

In Dubai, healthcare goes through insurance: once the family is covered, private care is dense, fast and widely French-speaking. Here is how the system works, where to go at night with a child, and how to find a doctor who speaks French, based on the public lists of the consulate and Dubai Madame.

Verified on 30 October 2026

How the system works

There is no social security for expats: every resident must be insured, and the insurance card opens the doors of the clinics and hospitals in its network.

Good to know

  • In Dubai, employers must insure their employees, and sponsors must insure each person they sponsor, children included. Insurance is a condition for issuing and renewing the residence visa. Source
  • The sector is regulated by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) and its ISAHD insurance system: it licenses insurers, intermediaries and healthcare providers. Source
  • Cover depends on the policy (clinic network, co-payment, maternity, dental): a basic policy does not cover everything. Read the network list before choosing a paediatrician. Source
  • Dubai Health runs the public hospitals and health centres (Al Jalila, Latifa, Rashid, Dubai Hospital and neighbourhood centres); most expat families use private care, which is faster, often same-day for paediatrics. Source
  • No need to see a GP before a specialist: access is direct. Reimbursement depends on your policy and the facilities it covers; keep invoices and medical reports. Source

Addresses

  • Dubai Health

    Plusieurs hôpitaux et centres de santé dans Dubaï

    Dubai's public network: appointments online, through the app or on 800 60, a line open 24/7.

    Website Source

Go further

Finding a paediatrician and setting up the file

There is no registration with a family doctor: you freely choose a paediatrician or clinic in your insurance network, and open a file at the first visit.

Good to know

  • At every appointment, bring the Emirates ID (or passport until the card is ready) and the child's insurance card. Source
  • Keep the French carnet de santé: French-speaking paediatricians read it, and others rely on the vaccination record. Have important reports (allergies, long-term treatment) translated into English.
  • The paediatrician is children's first-line doctor: most private clinics have several, and many paediatricians speak French. Source
  • Schools ask for the vaccination record at enrolment: keep it up to date and translated.
  • You can check that a practitioner is licensed to practise in Dubai in the DHA directory of professionals. Source

Go further

Emergencies and children's hospitals

One number to remember for a medical emergency: 998. Otherwise, the big private hospitals have emergency departments open 24/7, often with paediatricians on site; find the one in your insurance network before you need it.

Good to know

  • UAE emergency numbers: 998 for an ambulance, 999 for the police, 997 for the fire brigade, 996 for the coastguard. Calls are free. Source
  • For a serious consular emergency (accident with serious injury, missing child, lost passport of a minor travelling alone), the consulate has a dedicated line; everything else is handled by email during opening hours. Source
  • At A&E, show the Emirates ID and insurance card; keep a copy of both on your phone, with the list of hospitals covered by your policy. Source
  • Al Jalila, Dubai's public children's hospital, has an emergency department for children from birth to 18, open 24/7, 365 days a year. Source

Addresses

  • Al Jalila Children's Hospital, urgences pédiatriques

    Emergency

    Al Jaddaf

    The public children's hospital (Dubai Health), 24/7 paediatric emergency department from birth to 18; switchboard 800 60.

    Website Source

  • King's College Hospital Dubai, urgences

    Emergency

    Dubai Hills

    Emergency department open 24/7 for adults, children and expectant mothers, walk-in, with a paediatric emergency service led by UK-trained consultants.

    Website Source

  • Mediclinic City Hospital, urgences

    Emergency

    Dubai Healthcare City

    Large private hospital with an emergency department, paediatrics and neonatal intensive care; the emergency reception can be called directly as well as 998.

    Website Source

  • Mediclinic Parkview Hospital, urgences

    Emergency

    Al Barsha South 3

    Private hospital in the south of the city, near Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, handy for Arabian Ranches, Al Barsha and the newer areas.

    Website Source

  • Medcare Women & Children Hospital

    Emergency

    Sheikh Zayed Road, à côté du Manara Services Centre

    A hospital dedicated to women and children: emergency medicine, paediatrics, neonatology and paediatric surgery.

    Website Source

Go further

French-speaking doctors, dentists and therapists

The consulate general publishes its list of consultant doctors in Dubai, but states that given the number of practitioners it cannot publish a full list: it points to Dubai Madame's DoctoList, which lists hundreds of French-speaking health professionals by specialty. These lists are for information only, without engaging their authors' responsibility, and the choice of practitioner is free. We list those most relevant to families; check that the clinic is in your insurance network.

Good to know

  • The consulate list (updated May 2026) names three consultant doctors in Dubai: a GP and ENT doctor, a GP and a paediatrician. It is provided for information only. Source
  • Dubai Madame's DoctoList, updated in September 2026, covers more than fifty medical and allied specialties (paediatricians, gynaecologists, dentists, psychologists, speech therapists, midwives, lactation consultants…); entries are checked before publication. Source
  • Several clinics bring French-speaking practitioners under one roof, notably The French Clinic in Dubai Healthcare City and the Happiness Clinic in Umm Suqeim: handy for the whole family. Source

Addresses

  • Dr Nawar Tayara Sayed

    Paediatrician

    Dubai Healthcare City

    Paediatrician and paediatric pulmonologist, The French Clinic; consultant doctor to the consulate.

    Languages spoken : FR, EN

    Website Source

  • Dr Olfa Koobar

    Paediatrician

    Paediatrician and neonatologist, Clemenceau Medical Center.

    Languages spoken : FR, EN

    Website Source

  • Dr Dina Helou

    Paediatrician

    City Walk

    Paediatrician, Circle Care Clinic.

    Languages spoken : FR, EN

    Website Source

  • Dr Rouba Abdennour

    Paediatrician

    Jumeirah et Dubai Marina

    Paediatrician, King's College Hospital London clinics in Jumeirah and the Marina.

    Languages spoken : FR, EN

    Website Source

  • Dr Pierre Majdalani

    Paediatrician

    Dubai Healthcare City

    Paediatric pulmonologist specialising in childhood asthma, C37 Private Medical Workspace.

    Languages spoken : FR, EN

    Source

  • Dr Céline Pons

    General practitioner

    Umm Suqeim 3

    General practitioner, Happiness Clinic (Beach Road, opposite Wild Wadi); consultant doctor to the consulate.

    Languages spoken : FR, EN

    Website Source

  • Dr Michel Szalay

    General practitioner

    General practitioner and ENT doctor, Belhoul Hospital; consultant doctor to the consulate.

    Languages spoken : FR, EN

    Source

  • Dr Nahida Touhami

    General practitioner

    Dubai Healthcare City

    Family doctor, The French Clinic.

    Languages spoken : FR, EN

    Website Source

  • Dr Anne de Laromiguière

    General practitioner

    Jumeirah

    General practitioner, Bedaya Polyclinic.

    Languages spoken : FR, EN

    Source

  • Dr Delphine Dupuis

    General practitioner

    Umm Suqeim

    General practitioner and lactation consultant (IBCLC), Maison Santé Clinic.

    Languages spoken : FR, EN

    Source

  • Dr Samaa El Abd

    Psychologist

    Umm Suqeim

    Child and adolescent psychiatrist with a family approach, Happiness Clinic.

    Languages spoken : FR, EN

    Website Source

  • Ghania Kabbara

    Psychologist

    Clinical psychologist for children, teenagers and adults, EMDR, couple and family therapy, Brainhub Polyclinic.

    Languages spoken : FR, EN

    Source

  • Dr Agnès Roze

    Dentist

    Paediatric dentist, Roze Bio Dental Clinics.

    Languages spoken : FR, EN

    Source

  • Dr Emmanuelle Lerat

    Dentist

    Umm Suqeim

    General dentist for adults and children, Invisalign Center.

    Languages spoken : FR, EN

    Source

  • Coralie Hannoteau

    Umm Suqeim

    Speech and language therapist, Koster Clinic.

    Languages spoken : FR, EN

    Website Source

Go further

Pregnancy and maternity units

Pregnancy care is with an obstetrician-gynaecologist, at a clinic or at the hospital where you will give birth. Check early what your insurance covers for maternity: it is the item that varies most between policies.

Good to know

  • In the private sector, maternity leave is 60 days: 45 days on full pay, then 15 days on half pay; it can start up to 30 days before the due date. Source
  • A birth is declared to the consulate within 30 days, with the clinic's delivery certificate and the livret de famille, in addition to the declaration to the UAE authorities. Source
  • French-speaking midwives, doulas and lactation consultants support pregnancy and the postnatal period; Dubai Madame's DoctoList lists them. Source
  • Maternity units offer tours, antenatal classes and birth packages: compare them with your insurance from the first trimester. Source

Addresses

  • Latifa Hospital

    Maternity

    Al Jaddaf

    The public reference hospital for women and children since 1987 (Dubai Health): low and high-risk pregnancies, 24/7 emergency department.

    Website Source

  • Mediclinic City Hospital, maternité

    Maternity

    Dubai Healthcare City

    Baby Friendly accredited maternity unit, water birth room, level III neonatal intensive care and midwife home visits.

    Website Source

  • Mediclinic Parkview Hospital, maternité

    Maternity

    Al Barsha South 3

    Maternity unit in the south of the city, with antenatal classes.

    Website Source

  • King's College Hospital Dubai, obstétrique

    Maternity

    Dubai Hills

    Pregnancy care and birth, emergency department open to expectant mothers 24/7.

    Website Source

  • Medcare Women & Children Hospital

    Maternity

    Sheikh Zayed Road

    Women and children's hospital: gynaecology, foetal medicine, neonatology, and the Blossom maternity programme with antenatal classes.

    Website Source

Go further

Pharmacies and medicines

Pharmacies are everywhere, in malls, neighbourhoods and hospitals, and several chains have branches open 24/7 and home delivery. The real issue is controlled medicines.

Good to know

  • Most medicines used worldwide are available in UAE pharmacies; look for them by molecule name (paracetamol, ibuprofen), often under other brands than in France. Source
  • Narcotics, psychotropics and other controlled medicines are neither freely available nor freely importable; some medicines allowed in France are banned or need a Ministry of Health (MOHAP) permit. Source
  • You may bring prescribed medicines for personal use in normal quantities, with the prescription: for a long-term treatment (ADHD, epilepsy, anxiety), check the molecule before leaving. Source
  • To renew a treatment locally, see a doctor licensed in Dubai: they prescribe the local equivalent, which the pharmacy dispenses and insurance may cover.
  • At night, the pharmacies of the big hospitals and some chain branches stay open; find the one in your area as soon as you arrive.

Go further

Vaccines

The UAE schedule is close to the French one, with appointments at set ages. National programme vaccines are free at public health centres, and private paediatricians give them too.

Good to know

  • Under the National Immunization Program, children's vaccines are free at all Dubai Health ambulatory centres, with appointments at 2, 4, 6, 12 and 18 months, then at 5 years. Source
  • Appointments are booked on the Dubai Health website or app, or on 800 60, a line open 24/7; Al Jalila and neighbourhood centres (Al Barsha, Mankhool, Mizhar, Umm Suqeim…) give vaccines. Source
  • Facilities that vaccinate children in Dubai follow the national schedule; boosters that differ from the French schedule are discussed with the paediatrician, record in hand. Source
  • Bring the French vaccination record to the first visit: the centre or paediatrician picks the schedule up where it stands.

Go further

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 Dubai will thank you.

Sources for this page

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

  1. 1 Consulat général de France à Dubaï, médecins francophones
  2. 2 Dubai Madame, DoctoList
  3. 3 Dubai Health
  4. 4 Dubai Health Authority, ISAHD
  5. 5 Portail officiel des Émirats, santé
  6. 6 Consulat, en cas d'urgence
  7. 7 lepetitjournal.com Dubaï, santé

Get updates to the Dubai guide

Verified addresses, official sources, school-year dates: we write when the Dubai guide changes, never more than once a week.

Other sections of the Dubai guide

Report a change

A place has closed, a number has changed, something is no longer right? Please tell us: we check and fix the Dubai guide.

What is going on?