UAE’s MoHAP, FAHR and EHS launch “Ajr Wa Aafya” to reduce bureaucracy

The UAE is once again rewriting the rulebook on how government should work. In a joint move, the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP), the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR), and Emirates Health Services (EHS) have unveiled the refreshed "Ajr Wa Aafya" bundle — a key part of phase two of the Zero Government Bureaucracy Programme.

At first glance, it sounds like another digital service upgrade. But it's much more than that. It's a decisive step toward a frictionless government — one that values its employees' time and well-being as much as it does efficiency. As H.E. Abdullah Ahli put it, "This marks a fundamental shift from rigid bureaucracy to stakeholder-driven design."

The goal? Strip away the red tape and replace it with a streamlined, human-centered system that actually works for people — not against them.

How does it work?

If government services were once a maze of paperwork and waiting lines, "Ajr Wa Aafya" feels like someone finally handed employees the map — and then tore down most of the walls.

The new system links MoHAP, FAHR, and EHS into one digital ecosystem, allowing federal employees to handle everything from medical fitness exams to sick leave requests with minimal friction. The numbers tell the story:

• 41% faster medical fitness exams for new hires
• 55% faster approvals for sick leave requiring committee review
• 24% faster turnaround for standard sick leave
• 18% faster processing for companion leave
• And a sharp cut in procedures — from 34 to 21

It's a complete overhaul, not just a facelift. The bundle was designed using a "zero bureaucracy" approach that removes redundant requirements and connects government databases for real-time coordination.

H.E. Faisal Saeed Binbuti Al Mheiri of FAHR summed it up perfectly: "We're redefining the federal employee experience through efficiency, flexibility, and digital integration."

Why does it matter?

Because bureaucracy is the silent productivity killer. Every unnecessary step chips away at motivation, time, and trust. "Ajr Wa Aafya" flips that narrative by turning efficiency into an act of care — proof that a streamlined system can be both humane and high-performing.

The initiative means:

• Happier, more productive employees who spend less time wrestling with forms.
• More agile institutions capable of adapting to change.
• A stronger UAE brand, leading the charge in digital government excellence.

H.E. Abdullah Ahli called it "a fundamental shift in how government health services are designed." And that's exactly it — not just faster, but smarter. Not just digital, but deeply human.

By cutting service times by more than half, the program sets a new standard for what a modern public sector can look like when innovation isn't just a buzzword but a guiding principle.

The context

To understand why this matters, you have to look at the bigger picture. The first phase of the Zero Government Bureaucracy Programme already made waves — cutting more than 1,000 procedures, saving 80 million minutes, and slashing 9 million process steps. Those numbers alone would make most countries envious.

Phase two raises the bar. It's no longer just about simplifying; it's about integrating. Artificial intelligence, automation, and data interoperability are now woven into the fabric of government operations.

As H.E. Mubaraka Ibrahim, Chief AI Officer at EHS, put it, "This initiative builds on a proactive approach that enhances healthcare efficiency while empowering government entities to provide motivating, automated, and innovative work environments."

What's happening here is more than administrative optimization — it's cultural transformation. A government that learns, listens, and moves fast. One that sees its workforce not as cogs in a machine but as the engine driving national progress.

And if that's not the definition of modern governance, what is?