Dubai Health launches youth programmes to build the next generation of healthcare workers

Dubai Health has launched two programmes designed to bring young people into the world of healthcare. Called 'Dream-It, Dubai-It' and the Summer Training programme, both initiatives target students at different stages of their education, from school age all the way through to university level.

The programmes are part of Dubai Health's broader push on youth development, and they line up with the UAE's National Youth Agenda, which sets out the country's goals for investing in the next generation of talent across key sectors.

Healthcare is one of those sectors where talent pipelines matter enormously. The UAE has been expanding its health infrastructure at speed, and building a local workforce with the skills and motivation to sustain that growth is a long-term challenge. These programmes are one answer to that challenge.

How does it work?

The two programmes take different approaches depending on who they are designed for:

• Dream-It, Dubai-It targets younger students and is built around inspiration and awareness, giving participants an early look at what healthcare careers actually involve.
• Summer Training is aimed at university-level students and offers more hands-on experience within Dubai Health's facilities and operations.

Together, the two programmes cover a wide age range, which means Dubai Health can engage students early and then keep them connected to the sector as they move through their education.

Why does it matter?

Recruiting and retaining healthcare workers is a pressure point for health systems around the world, and the Gulf region is no exception. Many countries in the Middle East have historically relied on expatriate professionals to fill clinical and technical roles. Building a pipeline of locally trained, locally motivated talent reduces that dependency over time.

For students, the programmes offer something concrete: real exposure to a sector that is growing fast and hiring. Healthcare in Dubai is not a niche field. Dubai Health oversees a significant network of hospitals, clinics, and health authorities, so students who come through these programmes are getting access to one of the emirate's largest employers.

Early exposure to healthcare careers also has a well-documented effect on career choices. Students who interact with healthcare environments before university are more likely to pursue related qualifications. That is the logic behind targeting school-age participants with 'Dream-It, Dubai-It'.

The context

Dubai has been investing heavily in its health sector over the past decade. The emirate has positioned itself as a regional hub for medical tourism and advanced care, with major hospital expansions and the development of health-focused free zones like Dubai Healthcare City.

The National Youth Agenda, which these programmes align with, is a UAE-wide framework. It sets targets around education, employment, and civic participation for young Emiratis and residents. Healthcare workforce development fits squarely within those goals.

• The UAE has a relatively young population, with a large share of residents under 30.
• Government healthcare spending in the UAE has been rising steadily, increasing demand for trained professionals.
• Emiratisation policies across multiple sectors are pushing organisations to prioritise hiring and developing local talent.

Dubai Health's move to formalise youth engagement through structured programmes reflects a shift from ad hoc work experience placements to something more strategic. Whether these programmes scale and what outcomes they track will determine how much of a difference they actually make.