Dubai Health has introduced a new ‘Unified Health Screening’ initiative designed to combine residency medical fitness tests and occupational health checks into a single, streamlined process.
The move brings together multiple government bodies to simplify procedures for professionals living and working in the emirate. The system has been developed in collaboration with the Dubai Health Authority, the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai, Dubai Municipality, the Supreme Legislation Committee and the Department of Finance.
The initiative forms part of the ‘City Makers’ programme led by The Executive Council of Dubai, aligning with the emirate’s Social Agenda 33 and Economic Agenda D33, both of which aim to enhance quality of life and strengthen Dubai’s competitiveness.
Under the new system, applicants can complete both medical fitness examinations for residency and occupational health requirements through one smart digital platform. Based on profession-specific data, the platform automatically determines the required tests, enabling individuals to undergo all examinations during a single visit. Once results are finalised, residency permits are issued electronically without the need for additional applications.
Officials said the integration links databases across participating authorities, allowing faster, more accurate information exchange while reducing duplication of procedures.
Dr Alawi Alsheikh-Ali, director general of Dubai Health Authority, described the launch as a milestone in unified government services. He said the automated pathway standardises data sharing between entities and supports preventive planning, particularly as Dubai continues to experience population and economic growth.
Lieutenant General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, director general of the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai, said the service reflects the emirate’s model of institutional connectivity. By enabling secure, automated data exchange with strategic partners, he noted, the authority can accelerate residency issuance and enhance the overall customer journey.
Dubai Municipality’s director general, Eng Marwan Ahmed bin Ghalita, added that the initiative strengthens the city’s regulatory and inspection framework. Real-time access to accurate information will support occupational health and safety compliance while improving emergency preparedness.
Dr Amer Sharif, chief executive officer of Dubai Health and President of Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, said the service elevates the quality of joint government offerings and reinforces Dubai’s ambition to deliver smart, proactive public services.
The Unified Health Screening service is currently available at several Dubai Health medical fitness centres, with plans to expand capacity in response to rising demand.
