The key facts
- The UAE Ministry of Health identified six climate priorities for health planning, including heat-related, cardiovascular, respiratory, and insect-borne diseases
- The plan was developed with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment; it provides for early warnings of heat and air quality, staff training, and resilient supplies of medical goods
- Statistics cited: 62,775 heat-related deaths in 32 European countries in 2024, 4,000 dengue deaths in 2025, and malaria deaths rising from 598,000 (2023) to 610,000 (2024)
Six Climate Priorities for Healthcare
The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention has presented a plan for developing medical services with climate change in mind. Six priority areas have been identified: heat-related illnesses; cardiovascular and respiratory diseases; vector-borne infections transmitted by insects (dengue, malaria); water- and foodborne infections such as cholera, typhoid, and norovirus; as well as the impact of climate on mental health. The plan was developed in cooperation with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment and health authorities and is aimed at strengthening the integration of medical and environmental policy.
Quotes from Officials
Minister of Health and Prevention Ahmed Al Sayeg stated: 'As the climate changes, so do the risks to our health. Heat, dust, and extreme weather events affect people's health in very real ways. Our task is to anticipate these risks and protect our communities before people fall ill.' Dr. Hussein Al Rand, Assistant Undersecretary for Public Health, noted that the plan includes developing the skills of healthcare workers, expanding specialized research, improving emergency preparedness, and increasing the resilience of medical facilities.
Prevention and System Resilience
The plan focuses on preventing climate-related illnesses: early warnings about heat and air quality should prompt people to take protective measures before exposure. Medical centers will receive resilient sources of medical supplies and coordinated emergency action plans so that necessary care continues to be provided during disruptions. The plan brings together data, expertise, and institutions to create early warning systems and prepare services for the consequences of climate events.
Context: Warming and Disease Statistics
According to the publication, 2024 was the hottest year on record: the global temperature temporarily exceeded the pre-industrial level by 1.5°C. The Earth is warming at a rate of about 0.35–0.4°C per decade — almost twice as fast as the average rate of about 0.2°C per decade recorded in 1970–2015. According to the Institute of Global Health, in 2024 there were about 62,775 heat-related deaths in 32 European countries, and more than 1,161 deaths in North America amid record temperatures. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control recorded 4,000 dengue deaths and more than five million cases in over 90 countries in 2025. According to the WHO, malaria deaths rose from approximately 598,000 in 2023 to 610,000 in 2024.
Doctors' Opinions
Dr. Gopal Chawla, a pulmonology consultant at NMC Royal Hospital DIP in Dubai, said he regularly sees patients with asthma and COPD whose symptoms worsen during dust storms, poor air quality, and extreme weather. According to him, changes in temperature and precipitation patterns can affect mosquito populations and the spread of vector-borne diseases, and integrating environmental data, weather models, disease surveillance, and clinical records using AI could help identify vulnerable groups and predict hospitalizations. Dr. Mohammed Aslam, a pulmonologist at the International Modern Hospital in Dubai, emphasized the priority of prevention, early detection, and public awareness alongside treatment, including optimizing asthma and COPD therapy, vaccination, educating patients about air quality warnings, and protecting vulnerable groups.
