President Sheikh Mohamed has directed the adoption of a health system that guarantees comprehensive medical care for Emiratis anywhere in the UAE.The new system was created with the aim of “ensuring universal access to high-quality health care for all citizens”, state news agency Wam reported on Tuesday.Health insurance for Emiratis was previously restricted to whichever emirate they were from. Ahmed Al Sayegh, Minister of Health and Prevention, said the new system reflects “a national vision that places human health and quality of life at the heart of the UAE's development priorities”.The new scheme signifies a strategic step towards establishing a more efficient, agile and forward-looking national healthcare model, said Mr Al Sayegh. He added: “The UAE continues to advance its healthcare systems on the foundations of prevention, sustainability and innovation, ensuring the delivery of comprehensive health services to citizens in accordance with the highest international standards.”Health care for Emiratis in Abu Dhabi was typically covered by the Thiqa programme, while those in Dubai were covered by Anaya. The government would not previously cover health insurance for Emiratis outside their designated areas, unless there were special circumstances.The new model supports the UAE's vision of strengthening the resilience of the health sector, achieving seamless integration across all levels of services and delivering long-term health outcomes for citizens at every stage of life, Mr Al Sayegh said.Major changes to health care for Emiratis were announced on Tuesday. SuppliedInfoHealth care evolutionTuesday's announcement was welcomed by senior figures in the country's healthcare industry.“One of the most important aspects of this initiative is that it removes geographical barriers between emirate-level healthcare systems,” said Dr Shamsheer Vayalil, founder, chairman and chief executive of Burjeel Holdings.“Citizens will increasingly be able to access the right care, at the right place, at the right time, regardless of where they live or where their insurance originates.”The new system will strengthen continuity of care and improve access to specialised hospitals, advanced treatment and centres of excellence across the UAE, he said.“This initiative also represents an important evolution in how healthcare is delivered,” said Dr Vayalil. “It creates the foundation for a system that is more preventive, proactive and outcome-driven, focused not only on treating illness but on improving long-term population health.“A more integrated insurance framework will enhance co-ordination between providers, payers, regulators and digital-health platforms, helping the UAE build a smarter and more efficient healthcare ecosystem.”The move was praised by Dr Georges-Pascal Haber, chief executive of Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi.“This announcement reflects the UAE leadership’s unwavering commitment to putting people first, ensuring every citizen has access to exceptional health care,” said Dr Haber.“Over the past decade, the UAE has built one of the world’s most advanced healthcare ecosystems and this milestone marks another transformative step in that journey.”The initiative will help to improve the health sector across the country, said another expert.“This is a very important decision which reflects a commitment to placing human health and quality of life at the heart of national development, and will help build an even more advanced health sector in the UAE,” said David Hadley, chief executive of NMC Health.The initiative was called a a transformative step for national healthcare and will have a particularly positive impact on cancer patients, said Prof. Humaid Al-Shamsi, chief executive of Burjeel Cancer Institute.Cancer care is highly specialised and often requires advanced diagnostics, molecular testing, radiotherapy, surgery, systemic therapy, precision oncology, bone marrow transplantation, clinical trials, rehabilitation, and long-term follow-up," he said."This new system will allow Emirati cancer patients to access the most appropriate cancer centre anywhere in the UAE, based on their clinical needs rather than their location or insurance origin."It will also help reduce delays in diagnosis and treatment, support smoother referrals between hospitals, and give patients and families greater confidence that they can reach the best available care within the country."Making a differenceEmiratis were delighted with the announcement, with many explaining how much of a difference it will make to their lives.Hind Al Abdoli from Fujairah said: “It will give so many people the opportunity to receive treatment across the Emirates, especially those whose insurance is limited to the emirate. This decision will make a huge difference in our lives.”She said the move would ease the burden on families who previously had to travel long distances or worry about the financial strain of treatment costs not fully covered by insurance.Manal, from Al Ain, described the decision as life-changing for her family and many Emiratis.“My son has Type 1 diabetes and my family lives in Dubai,” she said. “I struggled with managing his ketone levels and often had to rush to Al Ain for treatment. It was exhausting and stressful, especially during emergencies.“Now, we can receive treatment closer to home. This will make a huge difference for families like ours and will help so many people across the country access the care they need more easily.”