Knowing how to find emergency healthcare services in the UAE before you need them can make all the difference in a crisis. This guide to How to Find Emergency Healthcare Services covers exactly where to go and who to call: the national emergency number, 24-hour hospital emergency departments, and urgent-care clinics across every emirate — whether it is a severe injury, chest pain, or a child’s high fever at midnight.
Quick Answer
In a life-threatening emergency, call 998 (ambulance) or 999 (police) immediately — both work across all emirates, 24/7, and dispatchers speak English and Arabic. For urgent but non-critical issues, go to the nearest hospital emergency department or a 24-hour urgent-care clinic; Google Maps and the DHA, DOH, and MOH directories can locate the closest one. Emergency care is provided to everyone in the UAE regardless of insurance status in life-threatening situations.
UAE Emergency Numbers You Must Know
Memorise or save these three numbers — they are the fastest route to emergency healthcare services:
| Number | Service | When to call |
|---|---|---|
| 998 | Ambulance | Medical emergencies: accidents, chest pain, breathing difficulty, severe bleeding. |
| 999 | Police | Emergencies needing police presence alongside medical help (accidents, assaults). |
| 997 | Fire / Civil Defence | Fires, gas leaks, rescue situations. |
All three numbers are free, work from any phone — including mobiles with no credit or SIM — and are answered around the clock. Dispatchers handle calls in Arabic and English, and interpretation support is available for other languages. In Dubai, the Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services (DCAS) responds to 998 calls; in Abu Dhabi and the Northern Emirates, ambulance services are run under the relevant health authorities.
Tip: save 998 and 999 in your phone’s favourites so you can dial them in seconds without thinking.
When to Call an Ambulance vs. Going to the ER Yourself
Call 998 if the situation is potentially life-threatening or the patient cannot be moved safely: heart attack symptoms, stroke signs, unconsciousness, serious road accidents, severe burns, heavy bleeding, or labour complications. Ambulance crews provide on-the-spot stabilisation and take the patient to the most appropriate facility.
Drive (or take a taxi) to the emergency department yourself for urgent but stable situations: a sprained ankle, a deep cut that is not bleeding heavily, a high fever in a child who is alert, or a suspected fracture where the patient can sit comfortably. If you are unsure, call 998 and describe the situation — the dispatcher will advise you.
How to Find Emergency Healthcare Services Near You
The smartest move is to identify your nearest 24-hour emergency department before an emergency happens — note its name, address, and the fastest route there. Save it as a starred place in your maps app and share the location with family members or housemates. If you move to a new area, update your saved location.
Use Google Maps
Search “emergency room near me” or “hospital emergency near me” in Google Maps. Results show distance, directions, and whether the facility is open now. This is the quickest method when you are away from home — for instance, on a road trip or in an unfamiliar neighbourhood.
Use official health authority directories
- Dubai: The Dubai Health Authority lists hospitals and their emergency services across the emirate.
- Abu Dhabi: The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi and SEHA list emergency departments at SEHA hospitals such as Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City and Sheikh Khalifa Medical City.
- Northern Emirates: The Ministry of Health and Prevention (moh.gov.ae) lists government hospitals with emergency departments in Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, and Umm Al Quwain.
Ask your insurer
Most UAE health insurance plans cover emergency care at any hospital in a genuine emergency, even out-of-network — but knowing your insurer’s preferred emergency facilities in advance avoids billing surprises later. Check your policy documents or insurer app. Our guide to UAE health insurance plans explains how emergency coverage typically works.
Hospital Emergency Departments vs. Urgent-Care Clinics
Not every emergency needs a full hospital ER. Understanding the difference helps you get faster treatment at the right place:
- Hospital emergency departments: Open 24/7, equipped for trauma, surgery, and critical care. Go here for anything life-threatening or severe. Expect triage — the most serious cases are seen first, so waits vary.
- Urgent-care clinics: Handle non-critical urgent issues (minor injuries, infections, stitches, X-rays) with shorter waits and lower bills than hospital ERs. Many operate extended or 24-hour hours.
- Regular clinics: For routine and non-urgent issues during working hours. Learn how to check clinic working hours so you do not arrive at a closed door.
When choosing where to go, our guide on how to choose a hospital covers what to look for in a facility’s emergency services, including accreditation and specialist availability.
What Happens at a UAE Emergency Department
Knowing the process reduces stress in an already difficult moment:
- Triage: A nurse assesses the severity of your condition and assigns a priority level. Life-threatening cases go first.
- Registration: Staff take your Emirates ID, passport, or other identification, plus insurance details if available.
- Assessment and treatment: Doctors examine you and order tests or imaging as needed.
- Discharge or admission: You are either treated and discharged with a prescription and follow-up instructions, or admitted for further care.
In genuine emergencies, hospitals treat first and sort out paperwork and payment afterwards — no one is turned away from life-saving care. Bring identification and insurance cards if they are at hand, but do not delay seeking help to find them. For scheduled follow-up visits after the emergency, see how to book a medical appointment.
Emergency Care Costs and Insurance
Emergency treatment in the UAE is not free by default, but the law prioritises treatment over payment in life-threatening situations. If you have health insurance — mandatory in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and increasingly required elsewhere — emergency care at in-network hospitals is typically covered, often with little or no co-payment for true emergencies.
Without insurance, public hospital emergency departments charge standard government tariffs, which are generally lower than private hospital ER fees. Ask the billing desk for an itemised estimate once the patient is stable. For details on employer obligations, see Dubai health insurance requirements for employees.
Finding a 24-Hour Pharmacy After an Emergency Visit
Emergency visits often end with a prescription you need filled at 2 AM. Not all pharmacies stay open all night, so ask the hospital’s discharge desk which nearby pharmacies operate 24 hours — hospital-adjacent pharmacies often do. Our guide on how to find a pharmacy covers locating one quickly, including after-hours options.
Special Situations
Emergencies involving children
Major hospitals have dedicated paediatric emergency sections. For a seriously ill child, go straight to the nearest hospital ER rather than a general clinic — paediatric specialists are concentrated at larger hospitals.
Road accidents
Call 999 (police) and 998 (ambulance). Do not move seriously injured people unless they are in immediate danger (fire, oncoming traffic). The UAE’s Good Samaritan provisions protect people who help at accident scenes in good faith.
Poisoning
Call 998 immediately and, if possible, keep the substance’s packaging to show the medical team. Do not induce vomiting unless instructed by a medical professional.
Mental health crises
Call 998 for an acute crisis. The UAE has dedicated mental health emergency services and hotlines run by health authorities — check the DHA or DOH websites for current helpline numbers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the ambulance number in the UAE?
Dial 998 for an ambulance anywhere in the UAE. It is free, works 24/7, and dispatchers speak English and Arabic.
Will I be treated in an emergency if I have no insurance?
Yes. In life-threatening emergencies, UAE hospitals provide stabilising treatment regardless of insurance or ability to pay. Billing is handled after the patient is stable.
Can tourists use emergency services in the UAE?
Yes. Emergency services are available to everyone in the UAE, including tourists and visitors. Travel insurance or your home country’s coverage may reimburse costs later.
How long are emergency department waits?
It depends on triage priority and how busy the ER is. Critical cases are seen immediately; stable, non-urgent cases may wait several hours at peak times. Urgent-care clinics are usually faster for minor issues.
Should I go to the ER or an urgent-care clinic for a minor injury?
For minor injuries — small cuts, sprains, mild infections — an urgent-care clinic is faster and cheaper. Reserve hospital emergency departments for serious, severe, or potentially life-threatening conditions.
The Bottom Line
Save 998 and 999 in your phone today, know the location of your nearest hospital emergency department, and remember that in a genuine emergency, treatment comes first and paperwork comes later. A few minutes of preparation now means no hesitation when seconds count.
Last Updated: 8 October 2026
About the author: Zaviyar Sultan is a UAE-focused writer at Paxi, covering driving, visas, banking, insurance and everyday UAE life. His guides are researched from official UAE government and regulator sources and updated regularly.
Paxi is an independent informational website, not affiliated with the UAE government or any agency mentioned; content is general information only, not legal, immigration or financial advice; verify critical details with official sources before acting.