Dubai: The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) showcased a suite of innovative and interactive solutions designed to support and empower people of determination, and to strengthen their inclusion in society, during its participation at the AccessAbilities Expo 2025.

The participation formed part of the Authority’s “Mental Well-being” initiative, which aims to enhance the quality of life for all members of the community, including people of determination.

During the exhibition, DHA also highlighted its continuous efforts to build a comprehensive and inclusive healthcare ecosystem that places people at the centre of its priorities. This aligns with the Dubai Health Sector Strategy 2022–2026, the Dubai Social Agenda 2033, and the Quality of Life Strategy 2033.

Dr Hend Al Awadhi, Consultant and Head of Health Promotion and Education at the Dubai Health Authority, said that the Authority showcased a series of immersive experiences that recreated the sensory and emotional challenges associated with conditions such as autism, schizophrenia, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). These experiences employed advanced technologies and innovative solutions that foster understanding, enhance communication, and improve the quality of life for individuals with these conditions.

DHA also highlighted an interactive digital innovation based on motion-sensing technology that enabled visitors to experience sign language first-hand and appreciate its beauty and importance as a bridge of understanding. The Authority further presented its Comprehensive Mental Well-being Library, which offers accessible educational resources in both Braille and sign language.

Dr Al Awadhi explained that DHA’s participation represented an important opportunity to showcase its innovative initiatives aimed at supporting and empowering people of determination. These initiatives reflect the Authority’s institutional values of prioritising health, safety, and well-being. She emphasised that this group remains a key strategic priority, with DHA continually developing systems and services tailored to their diverse needs.

These efforts aim to enhance their confidence and satisfaction with the quality and safety of healthcare services provided, including rehabilitation, therapy, and psychological support programmes.

She also underlined DHA’s strong commitment to digital transformation and smart technologies, focusing on innovative health solutions that enable people of determination to access services quickly and easily. These include digital health applications, assistive devices, and communication technologies that facilitate seamless interaction with healthcare providers — in line with Dubai’s vision of becoming a global leader in digital health.

Dr Al Awadhi added that the exhibition provided a valuable platform for direct engagement with people of determination and their families, offering an opportunity to listen to their experiences and understand their needs. Such engagement contributes to enhancing service quality and shaping future health policies through a collaborative model that reinforces Dubai’s position as an inclusive and pioneering city dedicated to community well-being.

According to global statistics, more than one billion people — around 15 per cent of the world’s population — are people of determination, and they are twice as likely to experience mental health disorders. In addition, one in five individuals worldwide faces psychological challenges each year, while over 90 per cent of children with autism experience sensory difficulties.