UAE Emergency Numbers & Medical Services Guide
Current 2026 emergency contacts for ambulance, police, fire, coastguard and rescue services, plus medical-emergency, road-accident and crisis-response guidance.
In an immediate life-threatening emergency, use the relevant emergency number rather than waiting for a website, app or non-emergency helpline.
Medical emergency?
The UAE Government and National Ambulance identify 998 as the ambulance emergency number. If there is immediate danger to life, do not delay the emergency call.
Master UAE Emergency Contact Directory
These numbers are taken from the current UAE Government emergency guidance. Keep in mind that specialised non-emergency health lines are different from emergency dispatch numbers.
| Emergency service | Number | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| 🚑 Ambulance | 998 | Medical emergencies, serious illness, trauma and urgent ambulance response. |
| 👮 Police | 999 | Police emergencies, crimes, serious security incidents and road accidents. |
| 🚒 Fire / Civil Defence | 997 | Fire, rescue and Civil Defence emergencies. |
| ⚓ Coastguard | 996 | Official UAE Government emergency number listed for Coastguard; marine incidents can use emirate-specific arrangements. |
| 🛟 Find & Rescue | 995 | Official UAE Government emergency number for find-and-rescue services. |
| ⚡ Electricity failure | 991 | Official UAE Government emergency number for electricity failures. |
Medical emergencies
The UAE Government states that people can call 998 from anywhere in the UAE for an ambulance. Hospitals will accept people in medical emergencies for initial treatment, and the government states that treatment needed to stabilise the emergency is free. Other treatment after stabilisation can be paid by cash, card or insurance.
| Life-threatening emergency | Call 998 immediately. |
| Need police assistance too | Call 999 where there is a crime, security risk or situation requiring police intervention. |
| Hospital treatment | Emergency stabilisation is free according to current UAE Government guidance; subsequent treatment may be payable. |
| Air ambulance | The UAE Government states that an air ambulance may be sent when needed. |
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MOHAP current health contact
MOHAP currently lists its call centre as a 24/7 health-service contact. It is not a replacement for 998 when someone is in an acute ambulance emergency.
Abu Dhabi Estijaba: what it is actually for
The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi says its Estijaba emergency call centre is for inpatients at healthcare facilities across Abu Dhabi. It provides a direct channel to the Medical Operations Command Centre for urgent requests such as critical bed requirements, urgent diagnosis/check-up, rare or critical specialist support and other urgent support for patients already in healthcare facilities. The current number is 8001717.
Road accidents and emergency response
The UAE Government currently instructs people to call Police on 999 for road accidents. If anyone is injured, the official guidance says it is best to leave the vehicles where they are and wait for the ambulance. For a minor accident with no injuries, the vehicle can be moved to the shoulder to avoid obstructing traffic, subject to police instructions.
Police
Report the accident and follow police instructions.
Ambulance
Use for injuries or an urgent medical emergency.
Minor accident safety
UAE Government guidance says to wait at least 15 metres away from the car when waiting for police after a minor accident.
Marine emergencies: use the emirate-specific arrangement
The UAE Government's general emergency page lists 996 for Coastguard, but its current marine-accident guidance provides more specific instructions by emirate.
| Location | Current contact | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Abu Dhabi | 996 | National Guard |
| Dubai | +971 56 682 4343 | Dubai Coast Guard |
| Other emirates | 999 | Police |
What to tell an ambulance dispatcher
Location
Give the clearest location available: area, street, building, landmark, entrance or other identifying details.
Patient condition
Say whether the person is conscious, breathing normally, bleeding severely, in severe pain or has another obvious emergency.
Number of patients
Tell the dispatcher how many people need medical assistance.
Stay available
Follow the dispatcher instructions and remain on the call until the dispatcher has obtained the necessary information.
Emergency-call workflow
Call the correct emergency service
Use 998 for ambulance, 999 for Police and 997 for Fire/Civil Defence. Use the marine arrangements where relevant.
Give the location first
Tell the dispatcher where help is needed using the clearest available information: area, street, building, landmark, entrance or other identifiable details.
Describe the emergency
State what happened and whether the patient is conscious, breathing normally, severely bleeding, having chest pain, injured in a collision or otherwise in immediate danger.
State the number of people affected
Tell the dispatcher how many injured or ill people require assistance so the emergency service can assess the response.
Follow dispatcher instructions
Stay on the call until the dispatcher tells you that the information required has been obtained, unless the connection is lost or the dispatcher instructs you otherwise.
Make access easier
Where safe, send someone to the entrance or visible access point and ensure emergency crews can reach the location.
People of determination
The UAE Government states that in Abu Dhabi, people of determination can seek help for medical emergencies by sending an SMS to 5999. The SMS should contain information about the incident, the patient's location and a contact number. This is a specific Abu Dhabi accessibility service and does not replace 998 for ordinary ambulance emergencies.
Mental-health emergencies
Acute / life-threatening crisis
If someone is at immediate risk of serious self-harm, violence, loss of consciousness or another life-threatening condition, use 998 for ambulance assistance or 999 where police intervention is needed.
MOHAP health contact
MOHAP currently lists its call centre as a 24/7 health-service contact. A specific current national “8004673 Hayat” crisis line is not included because it could not be confirmed from a current authoritative government source.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Current UAE emergency numbers, ambulance information, medical stabilisation guidance, road-accident instructions, marine contacts, Abu Dhabi Estijaba information and MOHAP contact details were checked against official government/authority sources.
Emergency numbers and service arrangements can change. In an actual emergency, follow the instructions of the dispatcher and the competent authority.