When you need a doctor not in an emergency but on a planned basis — for an appointment, tests or with a child — the question arises: where exactly to go. The choice in Dubai is wide: public and private, multi-speciality hospitals and narrow clinics. Let us go through how they differ and where it is more convenient for a tourist or an expat to go. This is part of the guide on healthcare in Dubai.
Public and Private
- Public hospitals operate under the Dubai Health Authority (DHA). Care is cheaper but is geared towards residents with local insurance, and emergency departments can have queues. The main examples are Rashid Hospital (trauma) and Latifa Hospital (women and children).
- Private hospitals and clinics are the choice of most tourists and expats: convenient booking, English, often Russian-speaking staff, and payment via insurance. The downside is the high cost without a policy.
Clinic or Hospital
- A clinic / medical centre / polyclinic — outpatient: a doctor’s appointment, tests, ultrasound, minor procedures. Suitable for most non-urgent situations.
- A hospital — inpatient: an emergency department, operating theatres, admission, a maternity ward. This is where you go for serious problems or when you need to be admitted.
For a life-threatening condition, do not look for a clinic — call the ambulance (998).
Major Hospitals in Dubai
| Hospital | Type | Area | Known for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rashid Hospital | Public | Oud Metha | The city’s main trauma centre, 24-hour emergency care |
| Latifa Hospital | Public | Oud Metha | Women and children, maternity, paediatrics |
| American Hospital Dubai | Private | Oud Metha | Multi-speciality, JCI-accredited |
| Mediclinic City Hospital | Private | Dubai Healthcare City | A large multi-speciality hospital in the medical cluster |
| Saudi German Hospital | Private | Al Barsha 3 | A large hospital for New Dubai |
| Al Zahra Hospital | Private | Al Barsha 1 | A multi-speciality hospital in the west of the city |
Check the exact addresses, opening hours and availability of the department you need on the hospitals’ websites — their profiles change.
Russian-Speaking Doctors
Large private hospitals geared towards international patients often have Russian-speaking doctors or coordinators. When booking, simply ask for a Russian-speaking specialist or an interpreter — at many clinics this is standard practice. It is especially valuable when going with a child or to a specialist.
How to Check a Licence
Doctors and clinics in Dubai are licensed by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA); you can check the status of a licence through the DHA Sheryan system. An additional marker of quality for private hospitals is international JCI accreditation. If you are planning a serious procedure, it does no harm to make sure that both the doctor and the institution are licensed.
Where They Are
Below is a map of the main hospitals with an emergency department. The Oud Metha hospitals (Rashid, American Hospital, Latifa) are convenient for Old Dubai and the centre; Saudi German in Al Barsha is convenient for Marina, JBR and New Dubai. Choose by proximity to your neighbourhood.
How much an appointment and tests at these clinics cost is in the guide on the cost of medical services; and how to avoid paying the full price — through insurance.
