UAE Ministry of Human Resources Issues Guide on Employee Health Insurance

The healthcare system in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is viewed not as an isolated sector, but as one closely linked to the country's broader national goals, including economic strength, quality of life, and the ability to remain resilient in a rapidly changing world.

National Ambitions and Partnership

This approach is reflected in the We the UAE 2031 strategy, where healthcare is defined as a driver of national progress with a clear goal—to be among the world leaders in medical care quality. For the private sector, this means not just functioning within the system, but actively participating in its long-term strengthening.

Progress in healthcare is achieved through collaboration: regulators create protective frameworks for patients and ensure trust, while industry partners bring innovation, scale, and operational flexibility. This coordinated interaction makes healthcare systems more robust, accelerates the adoption of innovations, and allows patients to receive solutions that meet real needs.

MSD's Activities in the UAE

MSD, known as Merck & Co. Inc., is a global research-oriented biopharmaceutical company that develops medicines and vaccines to address serious global health challenges. MSD's partnership with the UAE spans over four decades, during which time the company has focused on delivering vaccine and medicine innovations to patients in the UAE and the region, ensuring supply continuity, and investing in local capabilities to strengthen the entire healthcare ecosystem.

In the last five years, the focus of MSD's work has intensified due to the acceleration of innovation. The company has expanded partnerships into new areas, paying greater attention to developing expertise, building capacity, and supporting the next phase of healthcare transformation in the UAE.

Supply Chain Resilience

As global pressure mounts on pharmaceutical supply chains, resilience has become a shared priority. The UAE has established itself as a reliable hub for regional and international supplies, supported by a developed regulatory environment and close interaction between government bodies and industry. Through such cooperation, operational plans can dynamically respond to demand changes, maintaining market stability and continuity of care for patients.

The Role of Policy and Collaboration

The Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE) has fostered an environment where efficacy and safety go hand in hand, allowing innovations to reach patients without compromising trust. This balance gives healthcare partners confidence to plan, invest, and react effectively even during periods of uncertainty.

Partnership in the UAE goes beyond mere supply. In Abu Dhabi, MSD's collaboration with the Department of Health has become broader and more future-oriented. In 2022, both parties signed a memorandum of understanding covering scientific research, education, and innovation. In 2023, a UAE delegation visited MSD Research Laboratories in Boston, reinforcing the shared commitment to science, capacity building, and the system's long-term readiness. Recently, in 2024, a non-binding memorandum of understanding was signed focusing on lung cancer clinical trials.

Innovation and Patient Care

Innovations continue to shape healthcare delivery and patient care, and MSD continues to develop its portfolio in promising areas, reflecting a commitment to meeting evolving patient needs. National efforts in disease prediction and data-driven healthcare enable the application of more precise and personalized treatment approaches.

Patients are central to this progress, and engaging them through targeted awareness campaigns promoting early detection remains key. As part of flagship initiatives like the EMBRACE breast cancer awareness campaign, MSD expands its influence annually. Over the past five years, the company has collaborated with various partners, including the Ministry of Health and Population, the Abu Dhabi Department of Health, Friends of Cancer Patients, Emirates Airlines, Deliveroo, MAF Group, and others, united by the common goal of advancing early detection and diagnosis of breast cancer.

Drug Access and Support

Regarding prevention and drug access, MSD's contribution has been significant. Prevention has long been a national priority in the UAE, and MSD has supported these efforts by introducing innovative vaccines and engaging with healthcare stakeholders. These measures have helped reduce the burden of diseases such as HPV-related conditions through proactive care.

Well-designed patient support programs, aligned with national standards, underscore the importance of coordination within the healthcare ecosystem to achieve tangible results. They play a key role in improving health equity and enhancing access to medications, supporting the UAE's national health agenda. Concurrently, through programs such as TaPhaol for pulmonary arterial hypertension and AWN for oncology patients, MSD has launched landmark initiatives in collaboration with partners like Friends of Cancer Patients and the Emirates Oncology Society, a long-standing strategic partner with whom they work closely with healthcare professionals to ensure high-quality oncological care in the region.

Scale of Industry Coordination

Industry associations, regulators, manufacturers, and logistics partners join forces to align supply with demand and anticipate emerging needs. This collaborative approach not only strengthens the readiness of the healthcare system but also solidifies the UAE's status as a leading regional and global healthcare center.

Future Prospects in the UAE

Looking ahead, MSD's commitment to the UAE remains long-term. The company will continue to invest in partnerships that support innovation, strengthen supply resilience, and develop local expertise so that medicines and vaccines are available to patients when needed most. Since healthcare progress is determined not only by today's achievements but also by how well a country is prepared for tomorrow, this preparedness in the UAE is being built steadily, collaboratively, and with a clear vision for a stronger, more sustainable, and viable healthcare future.

In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), employers are not required to start the process of amending employment contract terms from scratch if changes occur in employee data, such as a salary increase or a change in position. The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) provides a means to promptly and securely make adjustments to work permits and employment contracts.

Access to Service and Legal Framework

This service is available through the ministry's website, a dedicated mobile application, and authorized service centers, which simplifies companies' ability to keep employee records up-to-date and comply with labor legislation. The process of modifying employment contracts is regulated by the Federal Decree-Law No. (33) of 2021 on Labour Relations, ensuring the protection of rights for both employees and employers.

Conditions for Making Changes

There are specific conditions that applicants must meet. Employees engaged in specialized or licensed professions must comply with requirements established by current legislation. An employer does not have the right to change contract terms, including salary, position, or nature of work, without the explicit written consent of the employee and in accordance with approved MOHRE procedures. All requests to change contract details must be submitted exclusively through the Ministry's electronic systems; any amendments not officially documented and approved by the Ministry are legally invalid.

Enterprise Requirements

When changing professions, the new position must correspond to the enterprise's line of business. Furthermore, the enterprise must hold a valid license without registered violations that could lead to the suspension of its operations under applicable laws. The application for change must be submitted by an authorized signatory of the enterprise. Any condition or agreement that contradicts the provisions of Federal Decree-Law No. (33) of 2021 on regulating labour relations will be deemed invalid if it reduces the minimum rights of the employee, unless it provides the employee with more favorable terms.

Service Provision Procedure

The process involves logging into the system using a username and password or via UAE Pass. Then, an application must be submitted through one of the service channels. Federal fees must be paid at the application submission stage. After this, the application is sent to the Ministry electronically for verification of compliance with requirements and documentation. If deficiencies are found, the enterprise is notified to rectify them. After fulfilling all requirements and providing documents, the amendment to the work permit or employment contract is approved, and the contract is electronically endorsed.

Service Channels and Documents

Services can be obtained through a service center, the MOHRE website, the MOHRE mobile application, or through Tawseel—mobile service vehicles that deliver official MOHRE services directly to the client. Required documents include the employment contract, approved by the Ministry and signed by both parties. Academic certificates are also required: for qualification levels 1 and 2, a bachelor's degree or higher is needed; for levels 3 and 4, a technician's diploma or higher; for level 5, a secondary school certificate. For levels 6–9, a certificate is not required. It is important to note that employees earning less than 4000 dirhams per month or who do not have a diploma are not considered qualified. A professional license issued by a competent authority (such as the Ministry of Health or the Ministry of Education) is also necessary.

Timeline and Cost of Procedure

According to MOHRE data, the entire process takes two days, after which the client receives notification of the request completion. Applicants can track the status of their applications. Regarding costs, the commission of business centers is limited to 72 dirhams, and federal fees amount to 50 dirhams. When using the MOHRE website and mobile application, the service is provided free of charge, excluding taxes and service charges.