Ahmed Al Sayegh appointed UAE Minister of Health and Prevention
Veteran Emirati statesman Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh has been appointed as the UAE’s new Minister of Health and Prevention, bringing decades of experience in energy, finance, and international diplomacy to the country’s healthcare sector.
Al Sayegh succeeds AbdulRahman Al Owais, who served as health minister for more than 12 years and will now focus on his role as Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs. Under Al Owais, the UAE revolutionised its healthcare landscape, steering through the COVID-19 pandemic, expanding nationwide insurance coverage, and laying the groundwork for the country’s position as a medical hub.
From energy to diplomacy to healthcare
The 63-year-old Abu Dhabi native began his career with the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) before heading Dolphin Energy, where he oversaw the landmark Dolphin Gas Project, which connected Qatar, the UAE, and Oman with up to 2 billion cubic feet of natural gas daily. The cross-border initiative demanded expertise in international regulations, coordination across multiple governments, and large-scale operations management.
After earning an economics degree from Lewis & Clark College in Oregon, Al Sayegh returned to the UAE to play a key role in building modern infrastructure. His leadership portfolio includes chairing Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), where he created a regulatory framework that attracted global banks and investment firms to Al Maryah Island, now a financial hub. He also served as chairman of Aldar Properties during its expansion, was a founding member of Masdar, and held board positions at Etihad Airways during its launch in 2003.
Since 2018, Al Sayegh has been Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where he managed economic relations with Asian nations and former Soviet states, driving trade agreements, investment partnerships, and technology collaborations that diversified the UAE economy beyond oil.
Healthcare at a turning point
His appointment comes as the UAE’s healthcare sector expands rapidly, mirroring the international connectivity of the industries where Al Sayegh made his mark.
Healthcare spending in the UAE reached nearly Dh73 billion in 2022, while Dubai’s medical tourism generated Dh12.1 billion last year. In 2023, PureHealth, the region’s largest healthcare group, listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange with a Dh3.6 billion IPO—one of the largest in the sector.
Regional patients are increasingly choosing UAE hospitals, such as Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, over traditional destinations abroad, while global healthcare institutions continue to set up operations locally.
By applying his financial diplomacy and global project management experience, Al Sayegh is expected to guide the UAE through its next chapter: strengthening healthcare infrastructure, boosting medical tourism, and positioning the country as a global hub for medical excellence and innovation.
