Sheikh Nahyan honours UAE healthcare leaders at Sixth Annual Health Awards 2026

Sheikh Nahyan honours UAE healthcare leaders at Sixth Annual Health Awards 2026

Mangalore Today News Network

Dubai, October 29, 2026: UAE Cabinet Member and Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan honoured outstanding healthcare professionals, specialists and institutions at the Sixth Annual Health Awards 2026 held at Grand Hyatt Dubai.

The ceremony, held under his patronage, brought together around 1,000 guests, including dignitaries and representatives from the public and private healthcare sectors.

The awards recognised achievements across more than 50 categories, including clinical excellence, surgical innovation, public health, wellness leadership, healthcare education, research and patient care. Fifteen UAE nationals were also honoured for their contributions to the country’s healthcare sector.

Addressing the gathering, Sheikh Nahyan praised the skills, innovation and dedication of healthcare professionals and institutions, noting that their work played a vital role in protecting lives and improving public wellbeing.

He said the UAE, under the leadership of President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, continued to prioritise the health and wellbeing of its people through high standards, innovation and inclusive healthcare. He also acknowledged Dubai Ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s commitment to excellence and innovation in the sector.

Sheikh Nahyan stressed that the country’s healthcare vision combined medical knowledge, innovation, compassion and respect for human dignity, with patients remaining at the centre of healthcare delivery.

Highlighting the diversity of the UAE’s healthcare workforce, he said professionals from different nationalities, cultures and backgrounds worked together towards the common goal of improving patient care and public health.

He added that tolerance and coexistence were reflected in the daily work of healthcare professionals through respectful treatment of patients, compassionate support for families and collaboration among multicultural teams.

Congratulating the 15 Emirati award recipients, Sheikh Nahyan said their achievements demonstrated the growing strength of national talent in healthcare. He encouraged young Emiratis to pursue careers in medicine and health sciences, while acknowledging the role of families, mentors and educational institutions in supporting their success.

Referring to the UAE’s Year of the Family, he highlighted the importance of families in promoting healthy habits, caring for elderly members and supporting loved ones during illness and recovery. He also thanked the families of healthcare professionals for their support and sacrifices.

Sheikh Nahyan further highlighted the growing role of artificial intelligence in healthcare, including disease detection, medical research and the development of improved treatment options. However, he emphasised that technology must complement, rather than replace, compassion, ethical judgement, accountability and trust between patients and healthcare providers.

He congratulated the award winners and encouraged them to share their knowledge and continue raising healthcare standards across the UAE.

Global consultancy Knight Frank served as the knowledge partner for the awards, conducting an independent, audited and merit-based assessment of nominations in collaboration with a jury comprising senior clinicians, academics and industry leaders. The organisers said the evaluation process was based on the principle that awards must be earned through merit and could not be bought or influenced.

Dr Thumbay Moideen, founder president of Thumbay Group and founder and publisher of Health Magazine, thanked Sheikh Nahyan for his continued patronage and congratulated the winners.

He said Health Magazine, launched in 1999, was the foundation for the development of the Annual Health Awards. Thumbay Media, part of Thumbay Group, publishes several titles, including Health, Living Gulf, Gulf Pets & Vets and Gulf Education, with Gulf Culinary and Hospitality planned as an upcoming publication.

Organised by Health Magazine, the flagship publication of Thumbay Media, the awards recognise the contributions of doctors, nurses, researchers, healthcare administrators and institutions in improving healthcare standards across the UAE and the wider Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region.

The winners will receive coverage across Thumbay Media’s print, digital, television and social media platforms to highlight their achievements and extend their regional visibility.

The 2026 awards were supported by main sponsors Modern Pharmacy, Modern Pharmaceutical Company (MPC), Thumbay Pharmacy, Thumbay and City Pharmaceutical Co., with Knight Frank serving as knowledge partner.