Dubai, United Arab Emirates– Dubai has unveiled the region’s first fully integrated digital system to manage health inspections at maritime ports, the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) announced Monday at the World Health Expo.
Named HIMA, the system is designed to streamline and automate health inspections of incoming vessels, allowing authorities to assess potential health risks, track previous ports of call, and issue real-time alerts. Officials say the platform strengthens Dubai’s readiness to prevent cross-border disease transmission and reflects the emirate’s broader push for digital innovation in public health.
“HIMA is a qualitative leap for Dubai’s public health framework, combining data, technology and proactive risk management,” said Dr Alawi Alsheikh-Ali, DHA Director General. “It enhances regulatory compliance and improves coordination across health inspection, crisis management, and maritime authorities.”
The system will initially be rolled out at Port Rashid and Al Shindagha Port, before expanding to all Dubai ports by the end of 2026, according to Ali Thani Al Mehairi, consultant at DHA’s Public Health Protection Department. HIMA generates data-driven reports to support long-term epidemiological studies and rapid responses to potential health emergencies.
Dubai’s DHA said HIMA aligns with international health regulations and the emirate’s new public health law, emphasizing risk-based inspections and faster decision-making at ports. Stakeholders including port authorities, shipping companies, and crisis management teams will all benefit from the integrated digital workflow, which combines vessel tracking, automated alerts, and inspection management in a single platform.
The launch underscores Dubai’s ongoing investment in smart health technologies and its aim to serve as a regional model for proactive public health systems.
