UAE’s MoHAP clears the bureaucratic cobwebs with bold new overhaul

In another move toward leaner, faster, and smarter public service, the UAE's Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has rolled out a reimagined roadmap as part of the government's "Zero Government Bureaucracy" drive. Gone are the bloated forms and roundabout procedures — this is governance with its sleeves rolled up.

Cutting red tape by half, MoHAP has trimmed a hefty 32 healthcare licensing and accreditation services down to a sleek 16. It's not just a numbers game; it's a promise to put people — not paper — at the heart of public service.

"This marks a strategic shift," said Dr. Mohammed Salim Al Olama, MoHAP's Undersecretary, noting the Ministry's full embrace of "a more integrated, simpler, faster, and more impactful experience."

How does it work?

MoHAP's revamped model centers around a people-first playbook that trades bureaucratic clutter for clean, nimble systems:

• Streamlined services: Fewer steps, faster outcomes.
• Less paperwork: Requirements slashed, duplication dumped.
• Smart integration: Multiple apps replaced by unified digital tools.
• Real-time feedback: User surveys and experience testing drive tweaks and improvements.
• Inter-agency cooperation: Data flows easily across entities, speeding things up for everyone.

Workshops with healthcare providers and even the customers themselves helped shape this reboot. "We adopted a co-design methodology," explained Abdullah Ahli, Acting Assistant Undersecretary and leader of MoHAP's Zero Bureaucracy Team. "This isn't guesswork — it's built on real voices, real needs."

Why does it matter?

Because nobody wants to wrestle with clunky government services at the best of times — let alone when health's on the line. By cutting out digital dead weight and plugging in AI-powered systems, MoHAP isn't just modernizing; it's humanizing.

This overhaul reduces:

• Wait times
• Hidden costs
• Frustration

And it boosts:

• Satisfaction
• Transparency
• Trust

It's also part of something bigger. "It supports sustainable development, strengthens the UAE's global competitiveness, and is built on innovation," said Dr. Al Olama.

The context

The "Zero Government Bureaucracy" programme isn't just a slogan — it's a top-down initiative to reinvent how government works in the UAE. Think: less about checking boxes, more about delivering real value.

MoHAP's progress under this programme is a telling case study in what happens when institutions decide to listen, adapt, and evolve. The Ministry didn't act in a vacuum — it tested, measured, and collaborated. The goal? 100% digital simplicity.

And they're just getting started.

"There's more to come," said H.E. Ahli, hinting at additional redesigned service bundles on the horizon. The idea is to spread this transformation across all priority sectors, aligning health governance with the UAE's broader push toward agility, innovation, and global excellence.

In a world still wading through paper trails and endless loops of approvals, MoHAP's new approach feels like a breath of fresh, digitized air.