UAE launches smart platform to revolutionize health policy making with AI and blockchain

The UAE is betting big on technology to transform how it creates health policies. At the World Health Expo 2026 in Dubai, the country unveiled its "Health Policies and Legislation Smart Platform" - a digital system that promises to make policy-making faster, more transparent, and driven by real data instead of guesswork.

This isn't just another government digitization project. It's part of a broader push to position the UAE as a leader in health innovation. The platform lets citizens, doctors, and policy experts contribute directly to shaping the country's health regulations through an interactive online environment.

How does it work?

The platform runs on three main pillars that work together like a well-oiled machine. First, there's the awareness component. This shows people what health policies currently exist in the UAE and explains what they're trying to achieve in plain language.

Next comes evaluation. The system collects feedback from the community and analyzes it to measure how well policies are working. Think of it as a continuous survey that helps identify what needs fixing.

Finally, there's the expert forum. This creates a structured space where specialists can debate and share knowledge. The goal is to generate ideas that match international best practices while fitting the UAE's specific needs.

Under the hood, the platform uses blockchain technology to securely store user data and submissions. Artificial intelligence analyzes all the input and conducts studies automatically. An integrated notification system keeps everyone updated on progress and changes.

Why does it matter?

Traditional policy-making can take years and often happens behind closed doors. This platform promises to speed things up dramatically while making the process more inclusive. Instead of policies being written by a small group of officials, they can now benefit from insights from practicing doctors, researchers, and even patients.

The system also addresses a critical problem in governance - the gap between policy intention and real-world implementation. By involving stakeholders from the start and using data to guide decisions, policies are more likely to actually work when they're rolled out.

Dr Lubna Al Shaali, who heads the Health Policies and Legislation Department, says the platform's biggest value is in "strengthening community engagement in the preparation and periodic evaluation of health policies." This isn't just about making better rules - it's about creating a system where those rules evolve based on real feedback.

The context

This launch comes as part of the UAE's "We the UAE 2031" Vision, which aims to modernize government services and increase citizen participation in decision-making. The health sector is seen as a key testing ground for these digital transformation efforts.

The platform underwent pilot testing that showed high user satisfaction rates. This suggests people are ready for more interactive ways to engage with government policy-making, especially in areas that directly affect their lives like healthcare.

The World Health Expo showcase also featured multiple workshops and signing ceremonies, including partnerships between the Ministry of Health and Prevention and international medical organizations. These deals signal that the UAE's digital health ambitions extend beyond domestic policy-making to influence regional and global health governance.

The timing is significant too. As countries worldwide grapple with health system challenges exposed by recent global events, the UAE is positioning itself as a laboratory for next-generation health governance powered by technology and citizen engagement.