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Government hospitals in Abu Dubai
Lifestyle
Sep 3, 2025

Top Government Hospitals in Abu Dhabi You Can Trust

9 min read

Healthcare is given prime importance in the UAE's vision of becoming a hub for innovation and wellness, and Abu Dhabi is no exception. Private healthcare centers try to hog the headlines with their luxurious packages, but the government hospitals in Abu Dhabi remain the actual pillars of healthcare. They provide first-class care at minimal costs, ensuring residents, expats, and even tourists never have any excuse to miss out on an assured avenue when they need it the most.

Whether you are looking for a government hospital near me in AUH, looking for Abu Dhabi government hospitals, or asking about SEHA Hospital Abu Dhabi, this blog will walk you through everything you want to know. We will take you through everything - trauma leaders, Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC), and maternity leaders, Corniche Hospital, and give the best facilities, educate you on insurance, and answer the most asked questions, such as: 'Are Abu Dhabi government hospitals free?', or 'Is SEHA a government hospital?'

Why Government Hospitals in Abu Dhabi Are The Best?

Government hospitals are more than a hospital; they are an extension of Abu Dhabi's essential role in ensuring public health and sustainability. In the UAE, the estimated spend for healthcare is AED 87 billion every year (World Bank, 2023), a significant portion of which is spent on the public hospital Abu Dhabi network.

government hospital abu dhabi

The Government Hospitals in Abu Dhabi are:

  • Accessible: The public hospitals span the area of Abu Dhabi (city, du, and suburbs), and having a public hospital when you need one is easy.

  • Affordable: Subsidized care, especially for UAE nationals with Thiqa insurance, and even expats have lower expenses than private care.

  • Advanced: Equipped with the latest and greatest diagnostic tools, robot-assisted surgical systems, and specialty divisions.

  • Trusted: The facility is operated by SEHA, which upholds international standards.

Abu Dhabi Government Hospital List – The Most Trusted Facilities

Let’s take a closer look at some of the facilities from the Abu Dhabi government hospital list that people trust as residents or visiting patients:

1. Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC)

One of the largest hospitals in the UAE, SSMC, is a joint venture with Mayo Clinic. It is recognized for its expertise in handling trauma, complex surgical procedures, cardiology services, and cancer treatment. So, for those wondering "Is SSMC a government hospital?" Absolutely, yes. It is one of the SEHA flagship hospitals.

2. Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC)

Known for having a multi-specialty approach, SKMC is capable of treating virtually everything. It features high-end cardiology, pediatrics, and cancer care. SKMC also has the largest dialysis center in the UAE.

3. Corniche Hospital

The leading maternity and neonatal hospital in Abu Dhabi, Corniche, handles over 6,000 births annually. Its neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is one of the most advanced in the country.

Public hospital Abu dhabi

4. Tawam Hospital

The Tawam Hospital in Abu Dhabi is located towards Al Ain and affiliated with Johns Hopkins Medicine. It is one of the leading centers for oncology, pediatrics, and fertility treatments.

5. Al Rahba Hospital

A community center that offers emergency services, internal medicine, and general surgery. It's ideal for those residents who need a cheap hospital in Abu Dhabi without insurance but still with good care.

How Public Healthcare Saves Lives

In 2022, a patient involved in a road accident was brought to SSMC with multiple trauma injuries. Because of the hospital's high-tech trauma facility and timely surgical intervention, the patient was healed in weeks. The case brings into context why public hospitals Abu Dhabi are such a necessity—emergencies are treated with sophistication at par with international standards, and at much cheaper rates than private hospitals.

Careers and Opportunities in Government Hospitals

Many of those in the healthcare field search for Abu Dhabi government hospital job vacancies. Jobs at these hospitals are highly desired because:

  • SEHA employs thousands of doctors, nurses, and allied healthcare professionals.
  • There is constant training and association with international collaborators to give global-level experience.
  • There is competitive job security and incentives.

Those applying for Abu Dhabi government hospital careers can directly apply through SEHA's official portal.

SEHA – The Backbone of Public Healthcare

If you have attempted to search for SEHA Hospital Abu Dhabi, then you would already know that SEHA is not an isolated hospital. It is the government sector-owned healthcare provider with 12 hospitals and more than 60 clinics running under it in the Emirate. From primary care to tertiary level specialist services, SEHA offers equal quality across all government hospitals in Abu Dhabi.

Are There Free Hospitals in Abu Dhabi for Tourists?

Free Abu Dhabi hospitals for tourists is also one of the most searched queries. While tourists are not eligible to receive completely free care, government hospitals can be availed of by them at low costs. Emergency care is provided immediately, but tourists are highly recommended to purchase travel insurance to cover the costs.

Why Trust Abu Dhabi Government Hospitals?

Public health facilities of Abu Dhabi rank among the world's most advanced. You have in a government hospital:

  • Subsidized, low-cost care
  • Specialized wards (maternity, pediatrics, oncology, trauma)
  • Internationally trained doctors and surgeons
  • Emergency services 24/7
  • Access made easy across the Emirate

Abu dhabi government hospital

Whether you are a resident searching for free public hospitals near me, a visitor searching for free hospitals in Abu Dhabi for tourists, or even someone searching for a car rental Abu Dhabi to enable convenient access to hospitals, this is the ultimate guide. You can rent a car in Abu Dhabi from Beno and make your hospital visit fast and easy without waiting for public transport, which can take time. Rent a car from Beno is available for daily, weekly, monthly, and for the time period you wish to have this convenience.

FAQs

  • Are Abu Dhabi government hospitals free?

For UAE nationals covered by Thiqa, the majority of services are free. Expatriates are charged subsidized rates, and tourists are charged reasonable rates based on treatment.

  • Is SEHA a government hospital?

SEHA is not a hospital but a network that is government-owned and which runs public healthcare facilities.

  • What is the best government hospital in Abu Dhabi for maternity?

Corniche Hospital is still the best due to its experience and advanced NICU facilities.

  • Are government hospitals affordable to expats in Abu Dhabi?

Yes, expats can access all government hospitals in Abu Dhabi, with some charges according to insurance.

  • What if I need a "government hospital near me" in an emergency?

Emergency rooms are 24/7 available in all public hospitals in Abu Dhabi, so you're never far from urgent care.