UAE Announces Four Commitments to Regulate Traditional and Complementary Medicine
The UAE Integrative Medicine Council announced four commitments to regulate traditional and complementary medicine. What clinics offering these services should do.
The UAE Integrative Medicine Council announced four national commitments on 20 October 2026 to make traditional and complementary medicine safer and evidence-based. They cover national policies, regulations and clinical guidelines; the UAE's first national research agenda for integrative medicine; training for healthcare professionals and public awareness; and closer work with the WHO. No new rules or deadlines have been published yet. Clinics offering complementary therapies should expect clearer standards, and should keep treatment claims in their ads and on their websites tied to evidence.
Last checked: 22 October 2026
What was announced
According to Gulf News (21 October 2026), the UAE Integrative Medicine Council (UAEIMC) announced the commitments at the opening of the second Al Shifaa Summit for Integrative Medicine at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi. The summit runs from 20 to 22 October as part of the Abu Dhabi Future Health Summit 2026. Gulf News reports that the commitments support the WHO's Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025-2034.
| Commitment | What it covers |
|---|---|
| 1. National policy and regulation | National policies and regulations for traditional, complementary and integrative medicine, with clinical guidelines and standards so treatments are safe, effective and evidence-based. |
| 2. Research agenda | The UAE's first national research agenda for integrative medicine, to guide studies that combine traditional practice with conventional medicine. |
| 3. Education and awareness | Better training for healthcare professionals on traditional and complementary treatments, plus public awareness so patients can make informed decisions. |
| 4. International cooperation | Closer work with the WHO and international institutions on research, knowledge sharing and joint projects. |
Sheikha Salama bint Tahnoon bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Chairperson of the UAEIMC, said the work aims to make sure traditional and complementary treatments are backed by research and proper regulation. Gulf News reports that participants include the WHO, the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP), the Department of Health Abu Dhabi and international universities.
What has not been announced: no new licence categories, fees, deadlines or advertising rules. These are commitments, not regulations. Watch for detailed guidelines from MOHAP, DoH Abu Dhabi and DHA.
Why this matters for UAE clinics
Complementary services such as cupping (hijama), acupuncture, Ayurveda, homeopathy, herbal medicine and "wellness" treatments are now common in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. Some are offered by stand-alone centres and some by multi-specialty clinics, physiotherapy practices and IV drip or wellness clinics.
- Standards are coming. "Clinical guidelines and standards" usually mean clearer rules on who may provide a therapy, where, and with what records. Make sure every practitioner's licence matches the services you sell. If you are unsure, see our guides to the DoH licence, the DHA licence and the MOHAP licence.
- Evidence will matter more in marketing. The stated aim is treatments that are "supported by scientific evidence". Ads and landing pages that promise to cure, detox or reverse conditions are already risky with regulators and with Google's healthcare policies. Expect that to tighten, not loosen.
- Patients will be told to ask questions. The awareness part of commitment 3 means more patients checking whether a provider and a treatment are licensed. Clinics that show this clearly will convert better. See how patients verify a doctor's licence in the UAE.
What to do now
- Audit your service list. Match every complementary therapy on your website and Google Business Profile to a licensed practitioner and an approved facility activity.
- Rewrite risky claims. Replace "cures", "guaranteed" and "detoxes" with what the treatment involves, who it is for and what to expect. This also helps with Google Ads approvals. See why healthcare ads get disapproved.
- Show credentials on the page. Practitioner name, licence type and facility licence make a page more trustworthy to patients and to Google.
- Follow the regulator updates. Detailed guidelines will come from the health authorities. We will cover them when they are published.
Frequently asked questions
Is traditional medicine being banned in the UAE?
No. The commitments aim to regulate traditional and complementary medicine and bring it together with modern healthcare, backed by research and standards.
Who announced the new commitments?
The UAE Integrative Medicine Council, at the opening of the second Al Shifaa Summit for Integrative Medicine in Abu Dhabi on 20 October 2026.
Are there new licence rules or deadlines yet?
No. The four commitments set the direction. Detailed policies, guidelines and any deadlines have not been published yet.
What should clinics offering cupping or acupuncture do now?
Check that each practitioner and the facility are licensed for the services offered, and make sure ads and web pages do not make claims that cannot be backed by evidence.
Access One runs Google Ads for clinics across the UAE, including wellness and integrative practices. If your ads are being disapproved or your claims need a rewrite, talk to us.
Sources
Published 22 Oct 2026 · Access One
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