SEHA (Abu Dhabi Health Services Company) runs the public hospitals and clinics of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. It was set up by Emiri Decree No. 10 of 2007 and operates 14 hospitals and 46+ primary healthcare and ambulatory clinics, with more than 3,000 beds. SEHA is a subsidiary of PureHealth, which operates Abu Dhabi’s public hospitals and healthcare centres, and it runs Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City in a joint venture with Mayo Clinic.
The sections below cover SEHA’s main hospitals, the full list of SEHA facilities, and how doctors get licensed to work in them.
If you’re exploring healthcare opportunities in the UAE, it’s worth learning more about NMC Healthcare in UAE, one of the region’s largest private healthcare providers. With a wide network of hospitals, medical centers, and specialty clinics, NMC plays an important role in delivering healthcare services while offering diverse career opportunities for medical professionals across multiple specialties.
List of SEHA Hospitals in Abu Dhabi
SEHA’s website lists these hospitals and facilities across Abu Dhabi city, Al Ain and Al Dhafra:
- Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC), Abu Dhabi
- Al Rahba Hospital, Abu Dhabi
- Corniche Hospital, Abu Dhabi
- Salma Rehabilitation Hospital
- Sheikh Tahnoon Bin Mohammed Medical City, Al Ain
- Tawam Hospital, Al Ain
- Al Ain Hospital, Al Ain
- Al Wagan Hospital, Al Ain region
- Al Dhafra Hospitals: Madinat Zayed, Ghayathi, Al Sila, Delma, Liwa and Al Marfa hospitals
- SEHA Kidney Care (dialysis network)
- SEHA Clinics (formerly Ambulatory Healthcare Services), primary care across Abu Dhabi and Al Ain
Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC) is also part of the SEHA network, but it is operated by a joint venture between SEHA and Mayo Clinic.
Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC)
Flagship of Specialized Care
Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City is one of the UAE’s largest hospitals for patients with serious or complex conditions, with 741 licensed beds. It is operated by a joint venture between SEHA and Mayo Clinic, announced in November 2019, and opened in 2019. Doctors weighing a role there can read more on working at Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City.
Key Facilities and Services:
- Advanced Trauma and Emergency Services
- Comprehensive Cancer Center
- Robotic Surgery Suites
- Cardiovascular and Neurosciences Units
- Women and Children’s Health Center. SSMC runs Abu Dhabi’s only burn and trauma centre, with 24/7 emergency care for all ages.
Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC)
Heart of Excellence in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics
SKMC is on Al Karamah Street in Abu Dhabi and has operated for more than 25 years. SEHA describes it as Abu Dhabi’s centre of excellence for complex care and the region’s largest teaching hospital. It houses a Transplant Institute for kidney and liver transplants and works in partnership with Cincinnati Children’s Hospital on paediatric care.
Key Services:
- Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU)
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
- Specialized Internal Medicine and Cardiology Departments
- Kidney and Liver Transplant Institute
Al Rahba Hospital
Patient-Focused Community Hospital
Al Rahba Hospital is a SEHA community hospital in Al Rahba, Abu Dhabi, with a focus on women’s and family health. Appointments go through SEHA’s 80050 line or the hospital on 02 506 4444.
Core Services:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Pediatric Services
- Emergency Medicine
- Family Medicine
https://www.seha.ae/hospital-detail/37
Al Ain Hospital
Healthcare Excellence in the Eastern Region
Al Ain Hospital is one of the largest hospitals in Al Ain and has served the city for more than 50 years. It is an academic medical centre working with the UAE University College of Medicine and Health Sciences, and it is the only inpatient psychiatric facility in Al Ain.
Services Include:
- Psychiatry and Behavioral Health
- Diabetes and Endocrinology
- Pulmonology and Respiratory Care
- Infectious Diseases
https://www.seha.ae/hospital-detail/43
Tawam Hospital
The Cancer and Maternity Care Leader
Tawam Hospital is a 561-bed tertiary hospital in Al Ain, opened in 1979. It runs adult and paediatric oncology, palliative care, IVF, intensive care, and centres for obesity management and sleep disorders. For a doctor’s view of the hospital, see working at Tawam Hospital in Al Ain.
Specialist Services:
- Comprehensive Cancer Center
- Radiation Therapy and Chemotherapy
- Maternity and Neonatal Intensive Care
- Fertility (IVF) Clinic
https://www.seha.ae/hospital-detail/42
Al Dhafra Hospitals (Madinat Zayed Hospital)
Bringing Healthcare to the Western Region
Madinat Zayed Hospital is the main hospital of SEHA’s Al Dhafra Hospitals, which run six hospitals in Abu Dhabi’s western region: Madinat Zayed, Ghayathi, Al Sila, Delma, Liwa and Al Marfa. Together they cover more than 40 specialties, including internal medicine, cardiology, paediatrics, obstetrics and general surgery.
Core Facilities:
- General Surgery and Internal Medicine
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Emergency Care
- Outpatient Clinics
https://www.seha.ae/hospital-detail/45
SEHA Kidney Care
SEHA Kidney Care runs SEHA’s dialysis network, with centres including SKC Central, Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Madinat Zayed, Liwa, Ghayathi, Al Wagan, Al Marfa, Delma and Sila. It delivers about 210,000 dialysis sessions a year and offers haemodialysis, haemodiafiltration, peritoneal dialysis, home haemodialysis, overnight haemodiafiltration and holiday dialysis for visitors. Kidney transplants are done with the Transplant Institute at SKMC. For dialysis centres in other emirates, see the dialysis centers in the UAE guide. Website: https://skc.seha.ae/
Medical Technology Across SEHA
SEHA hospitals are at the forefront of healthcare innovation in the UAE:
- Electronic Medical Records (EMR) across all facilities for connected care coordination.
- AI-powered diagnostics and imaging in flagship hospitals.
- Telehealth platforms provide virtual consultations and mental health support.
- Smart pharmacies for accurate and quick medication dispensing.
Commitment to Excellence: Accreditations & Recognition
Most SEHA hospitals are JCI-accredited, reflecting international benchmarks in patient safety, clinical care, and management. Many also participate in medical education and residency training, contributing to the growth of the UAE’s healthcare talent pool.
International Patient Services
SEHA Hospitals offer specialized International Patient Services to ensure a smooth and comfortable experience for patients traveling from abroad. Dedicated multilingual coordinators assist with appointment scheduling, medical records, travel arrangements, and accommodation. Patients receive leading treatment in advanced facilities, supported by leading specialists across multiple disciplines. From arrival to recovery, SEHA ensures personalized care tailored to the unique needs of each international patient.
Medical Education
SEHA hospitals are part of Abu Dhabi’s medical training system. SKMC describes itself as the region’s largest teaching hospital, Al Ain Hospital works with the UAE University College of Medicine and Health Sciences, and SSMC is run with Mayo Clinic.
Licensed physicians in the UAE need at least 40 CME/CPD credits a year to renew, so in-house CME programmes matter when comparing employers. See CME requirements in the UAE.
Research and Innovation
SEHA is a leader in medical research and innovation, driving scientific advancement through partnerships with global institutions. Its hospitals support clinical trials and studies in key areas like oncology, infectious diseases, and precision medicine. By integrating research into patient care, SEHA enhances clinical outcomes and reinforces its role as a regional healthcare pioneer.
How Doctors Join SEHA Hospitals
SEHA hospitals recruit doctors from around the world, but every doctor must first hold a license from the Department of Health Abu Dhabi (DOH), the emirate’s healthcare regulator, formerly known as HAAD. A Dubai DHA license does not cover Abu Dhabi. Each emirate is licensed separately.
Applications go through Abu Dhabi’s TAMM portal with UAE PASS. Degrees, experience and the good standing certificate (issued within the last 6 months) are checked by primary source verification, and DOH assesses the title against the Unified Professional Qualification Requirements. Being licensed abroad does not by itself exempt a doctor from the exam. Specialists and consultants with a Tier 1 specialty certificate from one of 22 listed countries, including the UK, USA, Canada and Australia, are exempt, and GPs can be exempt through PLAB I and II or GMC registration, USMLE Part III, AMC, LMCC, PRES or NZREX. The exemption does not apply after a gap in practice of more than three years. The DOH application fee is AED 100, and a physician licence costs AED 2,500 for one year or AED 3,350 for two years. TAMM gives a service time of three months. After approval, the hiring facility nominates the doctor and the licence is issued. A doctor who already holds a valid DHA or MOHAP licence can apply for an exam exemption at DOH for the same title with a good standing certificate and a full PSV report. The qualifications behind each title are set out in the guide to doctor career requirements. Allocation Assist’s DOH license consultancy handles this process and helps doctors secure roles in Abu Dhabi hospitals.
Benefits of working for SEHA Hospitals
SEHA packages usually combine a basic salary with allowances, but housing, schooling, flights and family health cover vary by hospital, grade and contract. Check each item in writing before signing, including whether health insurance is covered in the doctor package for dependants.
SEHA is the public provider in Abu Dhabi, so its hospitals serve Thiqa patients (UAE nationals covered by Abu Dhabi’s government health programme) as well as insured residents. For how public and private employers differ, see private vs government hospitals in the UAE.
For more information: https://www.seha.ae/
Working in SEHA and Other Abu Dhabi Hospitals
SEHA is one of several employers in Abu Dhabi, alongside private groups listed in our Abu Dhabi hospitals guide. For the wider picture, The UAE Healthcare System explains how DOH, DHA and MOHAP split regulation. Allocation Assist handles DOH licensing and helps doctors secure roles through its medical job consultancy in Abu Dhabi.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is SEHA?
SEHA is the Abu Dhabi Health Services Company, the network that runs public hospitals and clinics in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. ‘Seha’ is the Arabic word for health. It was created by Emiri Decree No. 10 of 2007 and runs 14 hospitals and 46+ clinics.
Is SEHA government or private?
SEHA is Abu Dhabi’s public healthcare provider. It was set up by an Abu Dhabi government decree in 2007 and is now a subsidiary of PureHealth, which operates the public hospitals and healthcare centres of Abu Dhabi.
Which hospitals are under SEHA?
SEHA’s hospitals include Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, Al Rahba Hospital, Corniche Hospital, Salma Rehabilitation Hospital, Sheikh Tahnoon Bin Mohammed Medical City, Tawam Hospital, Al Ain Hospital, Al Wagan Hospital and the six Al Dhafra Hospitals (Madinat Zayed, Ghayathi, Al Sila, Delma, Liwa and Al Marfa). It also runs SEHA Kidney Care and SEHA Clinics.
Is SSMC under SEHA?
Yes. Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City is part of the SEHA network and is operated by a joint venture between SEHA and Mayo Clinic, announced in November 2019.
What is SEHA Kidney Care?
SEHA Kidney Care is SEHA’s dialysis and nephrology network in Abu Dhabi. It runs centres in Abu Dhabi city, Al Ain and Al Dhafra, delivers about 210,000 dialysis sessions a year, and offers haemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, home haemodialysis and holiday dialysis.
Does SEHA run hospitals in Dubai?
The SEHA hospitals and clinics listed on seha.ae are in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi city, Al Ain and Al Dhafra. Government hospitals in Dubai, such as Rashid Hospital, are run by Dubai Health and are listed in the Dubai hospitals guide.
How do I book an appointment at a SEHA hospital or clinic?
SEHA’s general appointment line is 80050. For emergencies in the UAE, call 998 for an ambulance.
Is treatment at SEHA hospitals free?
UAE nationals in Abu Dhabi are covered by Thiqa, the Abu Dhabi government health programme, which gives full cover in the Thiqa network with no annual benefit limit. Other residents are treated under their health insurance plan, so cover depends on the policy.
Article written by Fasika Tuloro, October 2026
