DoH cuts overseas referrals 60% as Abu Dhabi centres treat 3,000 cases

Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH) says its Centres of Excellence have treated more than 3,000 complex medical cases since 2023, while overseas treatment cases fell by 60%.

For hospital CEOs, COOs and medical directors, the DoH figures point to a more concentrated Abu Dhabi market for transplant, stroke, burns and paediatric cardiac referrals since 2023.

Why it matters for hospitals

DoH said the centres helped 1,664 families access specialist treatment inside Abu Dhabi. That matters for hospitals that have built revenue, partnerships or patient-navigation services around outbound referrals for complex care.

The programme covers specialties where case volume, multidisciplinary staffing and equipment depth affect clinical delivery. DoH lists adult and paediatric cardiovascular care, stroke treatment, burn care, haematopoietic stem cell transplantation and adult multi-organ transplantation among Centre of Excellence categories.

DoH names Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City, Sheikh Khalifa Medical City and Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Center across several categories on its public Centre of Excellence page.

• 3,000+ complex cases treated since 2023
• 1,664 families supported with specialist care inside Abu Dhabi
• 60% reduction in overseas treatment cases, according to DoH
• 8 international accreditations earned by the centres
• 17 clinical studies supported by the centres

What DoH is measuring

DoH says Centre of Excellence recognition depends on clinical outcomes, patient safety, quality of care, patient experience, employee engagement, education and research. DoH issued its general recognition standard on 2 July 2019, before naming specialist centres in later years.

The latest figures show the programme is also tied to research and workforce planning. DoH said research activity across the centres has risen by 200% since 2023, with 17 clinical studies and 4 specialised training programmes for healthcare professionals.

“The Centres of Excellence reflect our commitment to providing high-quality healthcare services through innovation, research and specialised expertise.” Dr Noura Al Ghaithi, Undersecretary, Department of Health – Abu Dhabi

For medical directors, DoH is sending a clear message in 2026: complex-care programmes will need documented outcomes, specialist teams and research participation. HR leaders should watch the 4 training programmes because transplant, stroke, burns, paediatric cardiac and cell-therapy roles are already narrow hiring pools.

Regulatory context for 2026

DoH regulates Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. Dubai providers remain under the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), while providers in the Northern Emirates fall under the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP). Multi-emirate operators should treat the Centre of Excellence programme as an Abu Dhabi benchmark, not as a UAE-wide licence category.

The programme gives Abu Dhabi a named network for complex work and a measurable signal for payers, government purchasers and medical tourism teams. Hospitals outside the designated network have two practical choices in 2026: build the volume, evidence and specialist staffing needed for future applications, or formalise referral relationships with centres that already hold DoH recognition.

The number to watch next is case mix. If DoH publishes centre-level outcomes, waiting times or reimbursement effects in 2026, CFOs will have a clearer view of which services can support investment in robotics, transplantation, gene therapy and intensive-care capacity.

Sources: Gulf News and Department of Health – Abu Dhabi.