The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has organised an introductory workshop to raise awareness of Ministerial Resolution No. 25 of 2025, which outlines the national standards for establishing multidisciplinary team tasked with evaluating cancer cases across the UAE.

The resolution aims to institutionalise globally recognised best practices in cancer care by mandating the formation of specialised medical teams within hospitals offering oncology services.

The event was held as part of MoHAP’s efforts to sustain and govern a flexible healthcare system that makes it easier for patients to access the best services, thereby improving the quality of life for patients and their families.

Organised in Dubai, the workshop brought together officials from MoHAP, representatives from both public and private healthcare sectors, and an elite group of oncology experts and healthcare professionals. The session introduced the key provisions of the resolution, its strategic objectives, and implementation mechanisms.

From supporting the Ministry’s efforts to build professional capacities across healthcare sectors to enhancing coordination among relevant stakeholders, the workshop aimed to ensure the delivery of optimal medical care for cancer patients. It also seeks to reduce cancer-related mortality rates in line with the national vision of promoting quality of life and fostering a healthy, thriving society.

Resolution objectives

Ministerial Resolution No. 25 of 2025 is set to improve the quality of life for cancer patients by mandating the establishment of multidisciplinary medical committees in hospitals offering cancer care. These committees will evaluate cases, define treatment pathways, enhance service efficiency, boost recovery rates and life expectancy, and shorten the time from diagnosis to treatment.

The resolution also aims to raise standards of care in line with international best practices, ensure access to information for patients and their families, and provide psychological support through high-quality, compassionate care.

It further aims to enhance the work environment for healthcare professionals by streamlining treatment protocols, minimizing service duplication, supporting ongoing professional development, reducing medical errors, improving care coordination, and facilitating access to the best cancer treatments globally.

Roles of the medical committee

The multidisciplinary evaluation team will be responsible for delivering holistic, patient-centric care that addresses physical, emotional, psychological, and social needs from diagnosis through treatment and recovery.

The teams will integrate cross-specialty expertise to support comprehensive care plans and empower patients with clear, timely information about treatment expectations, outcomes, and possible side effects.

In addition to continuously monitoring patients’ conditions during the treatment period, it will also evaluate therapeutic effectiveness and make necessary adjustments to individual treatment plans.

Personalised cancer treatment plans

Under the resolution, each committee is mandated to develop a tailored treatment plan for every patient, based on the type and stage of cancer and in accordance with the latest global clinical guidelines.

No surgical intervention or therapeutic procedure may be initiated for confirmed or suspected cancer cases without a written, committee-approved treatment plan formally included in the patient’s medical record.

National coordination

H.E. Dr. Hussein Abdul Rahman Al Rand, Assistant Undersecretary for the Public Health Sector at MoHAP, emphasised that the UAE is one of top countries in delivering specialised oncology services.

He reaffirmed that the country will continue to accelerate its efforts to reduce premature mortality from cancer through the implementation of the National Cancer Control Plan, a national health indicator aimed at decreasing cancer-related deaths by 30% by 2030, in line with the World Health Organization’s Global Action Plan.

“This resolution will complement the policies and procedures launched by the Ministry to enhance the quality of life for cancer patients and ensure they receive the necessary support during and after their treatment. It reflects our commitment, alongside all relevant entities, to strengthening the performance and efficiency of the national healthcare system.”

Advancing the quality of care

For her part, Dr. Buthaina Bin Belaila, Head of the Non-Communicable Diseases and Mental Health Department at MoHAP, noted that the workshop represents a key step toward raising professional awareness about the resolution and its implementation mechanism.

 She emphasized that cancer care is a fundamental part of the national cancer control strategy, adding that the decisions made by multidisciplinary medical teams play a key role in minimising medical errors, enhancing the quality of comprehensive care, and ultimately reducing mortality rates across the country.